A media conference was held yesterdayto discuss this Friday’s ESPN Friday Night Fights, live from Chicago’s UIC Pavilion and presented by 8 Count Productions, Round 3 Productions and Warriors Boxing. Right here, find a collection of quotes from that pre-fight presser, as well as the official video preview of the card, headlined by Don George vs. David Lopez.
In the 10-round middleweight main event, Windy City favorite Donovan “Da Bomb” George (24-3-1, 21 KOs) will take on former world title challenger David “The Destroyer” Lopez (41-13, 23 KOs) of Nogales, Mexico. And in the other featured bout, former world champion Kermit “EL Asesino” Cintron (33-5-1, 28 KOs) will drop back down to welterweight to face Chicago slugger Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados (11-2-1, 7 KOs).
Also present at the conference were Puerto Rican prospect Roberto Acevedo (7-0, 4 KOs) and his opponent that night, Chicago’s undefeated Paul Littleton (6-0-1, 4 KOs). The pair will meet in a six-round middleweight bout.
The following are quotes from the conference:
Frank Muggs, Round 3 Productions
Thanks to everyone involved. We have a great card. We’re making Chicago the destination city for boxing. It just keeps getting better. First we had four thousand people at a show. Then we had 5000. Now we’re at almost 6000. Chicago is the best fight town in the world for boxing.
Dominic Pesoli, 8 Count Productions
We’ve got an action-packed card for Friday, the fans are really getting their money’s worth. Be ready for plenty of fireworks.
Leon Margules, Warriors Boxing
I’ve known Dominic for 15 years and it’s been a great run. He’s truly one of the great regional promoters in the country, soon to be national.
The fights we’ve been putting on just keep getting better and better and the crowds keep getting bigger and bigger.
Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and their ethnic fight fans definitely support their boxers. This is our first event without a Polish presence on it. We’re doing this one with Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Irish, etc.
These fights are so well matched.
In a four-rounder, we have Hairon Socarras, who is 6-0-1, 5 KOs, taking on Sergio Montes de Oca, who is 7-1-1, 2 KOs. So those two guys will fight to see who gets to step up and who stays at the club level.
Then we’ve got a young, talented guy in Paul Littleton from Chicago taking on a young, talented guy from Puerto Rico. They’re both undefeated, so it’s the proverbial ‘somone’s 0 must go!’
The co-main event is going to be terrific. Adrian Granados never takes a backward step and can’t be in a bad fight. Kermit Cintron is a former world champion who realized he doesn’t like to be the smaller man and can be the best he can possibly be at 147 lbs.
And then the main event. What a classic this fight will be.
Just look at all the upsets on David Lopez’s record. He’s won 17 of his last 18 fights. Don George has dropped down to middleweight because he’s tired of being the smaller guy in the ring too. Don George can’t be in a bad fight either.
I will be watching Friday night as a fan because of all the great matchups.
Luis DeCubas, Blue Wave Boxing
First of all, thank you to all my promotional partners and to Doug Loughrey from ESPN for making this possible.
We have a great main event put together. David Lopez is a rough guy. Donovan George is a rough guy. It’s going to be like an old-school fight like when Rocky Graziano fought Tony Zale.
I’m also very excited about Kermit Cintron dropping down in weight. He’s the world’s biggest welterweight and the biggest puncher at the weight. His opponent, Granados, was an Olympian, so that’s going to be a great fight.
Roberto Acevedo (7-0, 4 KOs)
Thanks to everyone. It’s going to be an exciting fight.
I am very motivated and thank you to Paul for making it happen.
I’m here in his backyard, putting my record on the line.
Paul Littleton (6-0-1, 4 KOs)
I’m very excited to be competing in my hometown against such a good opponent as Roberto.
Adrian Granados (11-2-1, 7 KOs)
Thank you Kermit for giving me this opportunity.
I know it’s going to be a great fight.
I grew up watching Kermit on TV.
I’m ready and so is he to put on a great show.
Kermit Cintron (33-5-1, 28 KOs)
Thank you everyone for this opportunity.
I’m going back to basics for this fight; back to my roots.
I feel it is the best for me. I had a great camp.
Adrian, I appreciate you taking this challenge and let the best man win!
I’m back to welterweight where I belong. I can do what I do best at this weight.
David Lopez (41-13, 23 KOs)
I’m very well prepared.
Donovan George has never fought anyone like me.
Donovan, thank you for the opportunity and may God bless you. Let the best man win!
Donovan George (24-3-1, 21 KOs)
It’s going to be a great night. Every fight is competitive.
I made a lot of sacrifices in preparing for this fight.
Mr. Lopez is very battle-tested, but he’s had his time. This is my time now.
I’m going to make a statement with this fight. Mr. Lopez has fought all the top guys so when I beat him it’ll be a message to the other middleweights in the world.
