Fighters took part in a media workout today at Welch’s Gym in South Boston to kick off fight week for this Saturday night’s Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN card at Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA, headlined by Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor (26-2, 10 KOs) vs. Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (23-2, 4 KOs) with triple-header coverage starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.
DANNY O’CONNOR
“This is all about me fighting the process. Gabriel Bracero beat me but I really beat myself. Just like training for this fight, we had a baby son. Two weeks before our first fight, my first son was born and I didn’t know how to separate sport from such life-changing events. I was 14-0 and fighting on Showtime. We just had a baby boy two weeks before this fight. I want to prove to myself that I can beat this process. Bracero is my redemption!
“This fight is me vs. me. The time was right for this fight. I was offered this fight five times during the past few years but the time wasn’t right.
“I was a scared little kid with no experience in our first fight. I couldn’t handle the pressure, I didn’t even know it was there. Now, I’m a mature man who is a husband and father. I’m a totally different person.
“This fight could be in my living room. I’m at peace in the ring doing what I love to do. It’s great being back in the ring in Lowell, where I won the New England Golden Gloves title and I’m fighting on national TV, but the event is between the four corners and that’s what really counts.”
GABRIEL BRACERO
“I’m excited. I’ve trained for this fight like I’ve never fought Danny before. I beat him but that was four years ago. I can’t overlook him. He has obviously made improvements and I did also to get where we are today.
“I’m more experienced. I moved to train in Orlando and get away from distractions. I hit a few bumps and got incarcerated. Tommy Gallagher (trainer) saved my lie. He was there when I went to prison and there when I got out. I added a new trainer to our corner, Alexander Lopes, but Tommy and my father, Kiro, are still there. Tommy gives the orders and he likes what Lopez has done with me.
“Tommy Gallagher is my guardian angel. He believed in me more than I believed in myself. He had this vision before I did.
“Danny has become a better fighter. I can’t take anything away from him, but I’m looking forward to putting on a spectacular performance Saturday night.”
JONATHAN GUZMAN
“I’m going to make it 20-for-20, yes! I’m powerful because I make strong moves. My left hook is my best punch. I can feel the power through my entire body when I hit somebody right.
“I don’t worry about my opponent or what he’s done in the past.
“Lawrence is my home now. I will go back to the Dominican Republic in December for the holidays. I feel like a Bostonian. This is the sixth fight I’ve trained here for and I love the Boston Red Sox.”
DANNY AQUINO
“My last fight propelled me (upset by decision over Ryan Kielczweski). It made me more confident in myself. My last fight was on ESPN and this one is on NBCSN.
“I don’t know too much about my opponent other than he has power that I’ll be looking out for. A win over him should put me in the top 10 and that’s why I’m so motivated for this fight.
“I won the New England Golden Gloves championship in Lowell Memorial Auditorium in 2007.
“I train hard and I’m always in good enough shape to beat anybody.”
RYAN KIELCZWESKI
“I like fighting at home and this is one of my favorite venues. I won the New England Golden Gloves there twice.
“I’ve trained for this to be the toughest fight of my career.
“(Vasquez) is tough with a lot of power. He’s going come forward, but I’ll be able to out-box him.
“He’s rated in the top 10 of the world and a win should put me back in the top 10 fighting for a world title within the next year.”
RAFAEL VASQUEZ
“This is a great opportunity for me. I think this fight will put me on the map fighting on national TV and showing fans what I’ve got.
“I’m a hungry, small fighter determined to win. I fight for my wife, Sandra, who has stage-four cancer and my eight-year-old daughter, Kaline, who has autism. It’s not just me fighting in the ring, it’s the Vasquez family. With God’s grace, anything is possible.
“Ryan moves a lot. He uses the ring and boxes. He lost to Aquino and I know he’ll be coming back to prove himself. ”
GARY “SPIKE” O’SULLIVAN
“Boston is my second home. I love it here. The people are so nice and there are good gyms.
“I’m an exciting, entertaining fighter who always comes to fight.
“After I finish off Eubanks, I’ll be the No. 1 contender in the WBA and Golovkin can’t hold me off any longer.
“I watched a few clips of my opponent. We have identical records. We both knock people out, so I have to be careful. I’d like to get in a few rounds, but when I hit people, they fall.”
STEPHEN ORMOND
“My first four fights were here in the US. Boston is like my second home. The people are so nice. Boston is a real fight city. I can’t wait for these people to see me in the ring.
“I saw my opponent fight last year in Boston. He’s an experienced guy with a lot of fights. He fought for a world title a long time ago.
“With Ken Casey behind me, an impressive victory will get me a title shot. I’ll take any of them. I was one fight away, losing a qualifier. My grandmother passed away the day of my fight. I’m ready now!”
