“I believe I’m one of the top talents in the sport, but I have to prove myself in this fight.” – Spence Jr.
“It’s a very difficult task to go from prospect to contender. I believe that this is a huge leap for Errol.” – Algieri
BROOKLYN (March 24, 2016) – Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC fighters held a media conference call today to discuss their Saturday, April 16 matchups at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Undefeated rising star Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr., former world champion Chris Algieri, cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Glowacki, former cruiserweight champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham, unbeaten 2012 U.S. Olympian “Sir” Marcus Browne and undefeated light heavyweight Radivoje Kalajdzic spoke to media in advance of their primetime showdowns on NBC, with televised coverage beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Star Boxing, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
ERROL SPENCE JR.
“This is a great opportunity for me. It’s another step in my career to get to where I want to be, which is a world title fight.
“Camp is going great. I’m on weight and I’m looking forward to a putting on a great, one-sided performance on April 16.
“I have something to prove. I believe I’m one of the top talents in the sport but I have to prove myself in this fight. There are a lot of questions that need answering. April 16 I have to prove myself and I’m ready for it.
“Going from prospect to contender is a leap, but you have to go through it. There’s a lot expected from me. This is what I have to do to get into that top-five level.
“Chris has a lot of heart. He’s gritty. I know he’s going to come to fight and make it a real entertaining fight.
“I don’t put any pressure on myself. I’m training harder than ever but I’ll come in like it’s any other fight. I’m ready to put on a great show.
“I want to fight at least three times this year. As long as I’m healthy and everything is going well, I want to stay active. I don’t want to wait around for an opponent. I want to get in the ring and stay winning.”
CHRIS ALGIERI
“We’re looking forward to putting on another great performance. I’ve had some of my best performances at Barclays and this is going to be another.
“I’m getting more and more excited as we get to fight night. I’m really looking forward to April 16.
“This kid wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t a good fighter. There’s a lot of pressure on him. It’s a very difficult task to go from prospect to contender. It’s not easy to make that jump. You have to be careful taking big leaps. I believe that this is a huge leap.
“I’ve been in the ring with big guys and hard-hitters. Styles make fights but it’s all about matchups. Boxing is a rhythm sport. You have to be in with a guy and see how the styles mesh.
“I fought at 147 and 154 when I kick-boxed so I’ve been in the ring with those bigger guys. I’ve never had a problem with size.”
KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI
“I’m so happy to be able to fight again in the United States and I’m going to deliver another great fight. I hope both the Polish and American fans are going to be there for this explosive fight.
“I’m absolutely ready to come to the United States and defend my title.
“It was very frustrating to have the injuries that I had. I couldn’t do anything. The silver lining is that I’m so unbelievably hungry to return. I’m even hungrier than usual.
“My reception back home after the Huck fight was unbelievable. When I arrived from the airport there were people with flowers and I got a police escort to my hometown. It’s an unbelievable feeling to be a world champion. I want to have this feeling again when I return. I was relatively unknown but now people approach me on the streets and it’s a great feeling to have.”
STEVE CUNNINGHAM
“I’m excited to have another opportunity at a world title in the cruiserweight division. I’m always ready, I’m always prepared and in the gym.
“Glowacki is a formidable foe. He made a big splash in his U.S. debut and people will want to see if he can live up to that. We’re going to get together and make some fireworks.
“This isn’t new territory for me just a new opponent. We don’t look past anybody and we’re ready for this one. It’s war time.
“I know he’s driven, but I’m driven also. I’ve fought all over the world. It’s new fighting close to home, but it’s still going to feel like Poland in Barclays Center. Well I’ve fought in Poland before, so we’re just going to take everything from camp and bring it to the fight.”
MARCUS BROWNE
“This is just another step for me on the road to becoming world champion. Everyone wants to make it seem like he is the best fighter I’ve ever faced. April 16 we will see.
“I see what I see from ‘Hot Rod’. He’s young, he’s undefeated and he doesn’t want to lose his 0. I’m going to take care of it in the ring.
“These kind of fights are essential for both of us and that will cause fireworks. He wasn’t on my radar before but come April 16 we’ll both be on each other’s radar for sure.
“Is he the best opponent I’ve faced in a professional fight? Yes. But this isn’t the best guy I’ve been in the ring with. April 16 I’m going to take care of my business in the ring. That’s how we converse in boxing.
“You can’t go in there thinking that what you did in the amateurs makes you a great pro. It’s two totally different games. I’ve been in there with a lot of good guys from a young age.”
RADIVOJE KALAJDZIC
“I’m happy to be fighting at Barclays Center on a great show. I’m just ready to fight and I hope Marcus Browne is too.
“I’ve worked with Keith Thurman before and gotten in the ring with him since we both train down in St. Petersburg, Florida. It’s real good work. He’s a great fighter.
“Marcus obviously has speed and power. I won’t tell you his weaknesses but if you watch on fight night, I’ll show you.
“We’re mostly focused on what I’m going to do. We’re working on our game plan and we’ll get in there and exploit his weaknesses.
“I’m excited to be fighting in Brooklyn. I’ve fought in my hometown and I’m excited to have the crowd against me. It’s only going to be him and me in the ring.”
Barclays Center's BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ErrolSpenceJr, @ChrisAlgieri, @USSCunningham, @Marcus_Browne, @LouDiBella, @StarBoxing, @NBCSports, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
