World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward and World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch concluded their three-city international press tour on Wednesday formally announcing The Final of the Super Six World Boxing Classic LIVE on SHOWTIME®, Saturday, Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
After stops in London on Monday and New York on Tuesday, the Super Six World Boxing Classic International Press Tour finale took place at Oakland City Hall Plaza and attended by Oakland Mayor Jean Quan. Take a look at all of the pictures and quotes from the event here.
Ward and Froch, along with their respective promoters Dan Goossen and Eddie Hearn, Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports® and creator of the Super Six World Boxing Classic and Quan spoke about what is being called the most significant fight in the history of the Super Middleweight division.
After a two-year, grueling journey, Ward, America’s last Olympic Gold Medalist, will face British superstar Froch in The Final to determine the world’s best 168-pound fighter.
The winner of the high stakes matchup will claim both world championship belts, the vacant The Ring magazine championship and the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup.
Here’s what the fighters and executives had to say on Wednesday:
Andre Ward
“I just love the city of Oakland. Every time I see your faces it means a big deal to me and I don’t take it lightly.
“Carl talks a big game but some of the toughest talkers out there aren’t getting in there and lacing them up.
“He’s standing in my way and I’m standing in his way. So someone’s got to get out of the way.
“I’ve had my eye on the WBC belt for some time now. I’m up for the challenge. I’m fit for the task.”
Carl Froch
“It’s wonderful to see this support from the fans of Andre Ward. This is going to be a fantastic event.
“I’ve been a pro boxer for some 10 years now. I’ve won a world title, lost a world title and won it back again. I’ve tasted defeat and the bitterness that comes with that. And I never truly appreciated the sweetness of victory until I tasted the defeat. That knowledge has motivated me to double-up my efforts. I promise to come to Atlantic City in October 110 percent prepared both mentally and physically to perform.
“It’s been a long road. This press tour and the tournament itself have allowed the two best fighters in the division to rise to the top. And now we are set to face off for some serious hardware. This is the essence of sport. The best against the best. And the sweet prize for the victor makes this a win-win for the fans of boxing.
“I am coming with dynamite on both hands and I’ll be ready to explode on the night. I will not be denied.”
Ken Hershman of SHOWTIME Sports
“To have the support of the city of Oakland, the mayor and, of course, the fighters, promoters and media means a great deal to all of us at SHOWTIME. That support and interest in this tournament has allowed us to press on through all the difficult moments in staging this tournament. I am so proud to be here, on the last of a three-city press tour to kickoff The Final of the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
“We have two of the best fighters in boxing today ready to compete in what is the biggest fight of their careers. With high stakes and a terrific style match up, this event on Saturday, Oct. 29, is one that can’t be missed.
“This has been an incredible endeavor and an exasperating one for all of us working behind the scenes. But it has delivered thrilling fights. And that is what we set out to do.
“As the tournament progressed, we could see that Andre Ward and Carl Froch were on a collision course. Neither man has given an inch inside the ring. For this reason alone, we are in for a great fight.
Dan Goossen, Goossen Tutor Promotions
“Oakland’s best is going to win Oct. 29, I promise you that.
“Carl is everything that Eddie Hearn says of him. He’s a great fighter and when Andre beats him he will be beating a great fighter and he will deserve the respect of a world champion.”
Eddie Hearn, Group Managing Director, Matchroom Sport
“We have a lot of respect for Andre Ward and for the fans that have come here today. But I have some bad news for you: Carl Froch is not human. He’s a machine. Andre Ward says he’s been in the trenches, but he’s never been in trenches with England’s finest. It’s going to be a hell of a fight and I hope to see you all in Atlantic City.”
Jean Quan, Oakland Mayor
“We in Oakland are thankful for a national broadcast on SHOWTIME. We can’t wait to see our hometown hero Andre Ward compete at the highest level. I’ve done some research on both of these fighters and I’ve found that they are both men of integrity. Men who give back to their communities. Andre Ward is a man that, in difficult times like these, gives hope to the young people of our community. He’s a man that, no matter what happens on Oct. 29, will always be a champion for this city. These are true sportsman and they are great examples for the future generations in this community.”
Tickets for The Final at Boardwalk Hall go on sale THIS FRIDAY, Aug. 26 and are priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50. Tickets can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at ticketmaster.com.
