WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. and unbeaten mandatory challenger Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar went face-to-face at a final press conference Thursday before they headline action live on Showtime Saturday from PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Gary Russell Jr: “If it were up to me, I’d be facing Leo Santa Cruz or Gervonta Davis, but this is what I have to face. I’m here to defend my title in style once again.”
Tugstsogt Nyambayar: “I just have to be better than Gary Russell on Saturday night. The past experience won’t matter. If he thinks I’m too inexperienced for this fight, he is going to be in for a surprise Saturday.”
The press conference also featured former champions Guillermo Rigondeaux and Liborio Solis, who battle in the co-main event for the vacant WBA lightweight title.
Guillermo Rigondeaux: “I feel 100% and I believe that bantamweight has always been my best weight. I did well at 122 pounds, so I stayed there. My plan now is to dominate this division.”
Liborio Solis: “I’m going to come with everything on Saturday. I come to fight and I come to win. I’m sure Guillermo is the same. The difference will be my determination to win this fight.”
In the TV opener, Jaime Arboleda and Jayson Velez compete in a 12-round WBA super featherweight title eliminator.
Jaime Arboleda: “On Saturday, I’m very confident that this is going to be a great fight and end in a knockout. I’m prepared and I know that I’m going to win.”
Jayson Velez: “When I win on Saturday, I’ll be the mandatory for the belt and that’s the opportunity that I want…I believe that this fight is ending in knockout.”
Gary Russell has a bad habit of holding on the inside and tends to lay on his opponent rather than lateral move and counter. If Russell would improve on this lazy habit and fight more often I would think he could get more recognition as a fighter. Russell’s hands are fast and his jab is no slouch. I admire his hand speed when he is on his “A” game.