It’s going to be a hot time in Philly on Saturday night when North Philly takes on South Philly in the main event of the inaugural edition of NBC Sports Network’s “Fight Night” Boxing Series. The final press conference was held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA today. You can view some quotes, notes and photos from the event right here.
Heavyweights Maurice Byarm,13-0-1, 9 KO’s, of North Philly and Bryant Jennings, 11-0, 5 KO’s, of South Philly will vie for the Pennsylvania State Heavyweight Championship according to Greg Sirb, Pennsylvania Boxing Commissioner.
North Philadelphia’s Bryant Jennings took full credit for accepting the fight, “This is a great opportunity. I am actually glad I made this decision, not only for myself, but for the sport. We don’t really have what we used to have back in the day. Nowadays people have fabricated records. We have guys running around calling themselves tough, but they are not really proving themselves. I think this is the opportunity for both of us to prove ourselves. Saturday you are going to know who both of us are. Everybody’s going to be watching, I’m going to go out and give it my all.”
Maurice Byarm of South Philly was grateful for the opportunity, “This fight on Saturday is going to be a great fight for me and for Bryant. Win, lose or draw its going to catapult both of us to a higher elevation in our career. I think in this fight we are going to bring out the best in each other. Anyone who has ever been to the Blue Horizon knows that’s what we do (in Philadelphia). We give great fights, especially two Philadelphia fighters; it’s going to be great for the fans. We got this fight on a week’s notice and we are both fighting for the pride of Philadelphia. I thank NBC for putting this fight on.”
NBC Sports Network matchmaker Russell Peltz, President, Peltz Boxing, talked about the highly anticipated match between Jesus Soto-Karass, 24-6-3, 16 KO’s, and Gabriel Rosado, 18-5, 10 KO’s. , “In my mind the co-feature is just as important as the main event. It’s featuring Gabriel Rosado who after only 17 amateur fights is on the verge of making some serious money as a junior middleweight; despite the fact that today’s so-called boxing experts scoff at a record of 18 wins and 5 losses, not even having the intelligence to look at the caliber of opposition. It’s a big fight for him. Just as it’s a big fight for Jesus Soto Karass, who would probably like to shed his image as the policeman of the then welterweight division and now the junior middleweight division and step it up a bit and maybe get himself back into the big money.”
Soto Karass thanked NBC and the promoters for the opportunity to be on the card and added, “I had a good training camp in Los Angeles and we are 100% prepared, physically and mentally. I don’t have problems with my weight going to 154. It’s going to be a good show on Saturday.”
Rosado expressed his eagerness to prove himself, “I know what Soto Karass brings to the table and he is going to bring the best out of me. I am up for the challenge. This is a statement fight for me; I want to show the world and everyone in the hometown what I am all about.”
Peltz endorsed Saturday’s fights, “Number 1 do the styles blend? Number 2 is the fight important and is it going to lead anywhere? And number 3, would I buy a ticket to watch the fight? I say in both cases on Saturday night, the answer is yes. It’s a good show; it’s loaded from top to bottom!”
Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions. The non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. The NBC Sports Network Fight Night broadcast will begin at 9 p.m. ET. A small amount of tickets are still available at $45 and $65 and can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922, or online at www.peltzboxing.com.
