Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, is fighting for respect this Saturday night on Saturday against Czech challenger Lukas Konecny (50-4, 23 KOs).
Quillin believes himself to be a victim of a network war. The 30-year-old Cuban-American fights on Showtime but other top world middleweight champions such as Sergio Martinez and Gennady Golovkin are tied to HBO. Critics, however, have unfairly write about whom Quillin hasn’t fought instead of his many accomplishments.
“If the money is right,” Quillin has said over and over to no avail thus far, “I’m up for fighting any of the top names, especially Martinez and Golovkin. But everybody’s aware of what’s going on behind the scenes (networks). My job is to work hard and be ready.”
Only two current undefeated world champions have better records than Quillin’s 30-0 (22 KOs): Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (46-0, 26 KOs) and Mikey Garcia (34-0, 28 KOs).
The powerful Quillin has knocked down his opponents a grand total of 32 times in 30 fights, including 11 in his three title fights
Quillin has somehow morphed into the “Rodney Dangerfield of Boxing.” As the late Dangerfield famously said, “I can’t get no respect.” Neither can Quillin, it seems, despite defeating everybody he’s fought as a pro, 30 up and 30 down.
“Some things can’t be explained.
“I’m not a matchmaker, never have been and it’s too late now. I have the most powerful team in boxing (promoter Golden Boy, adviser Al Haymon and co-managers John Seip and Jim McDevitt). I let them decide who I fight. I learned not to worry about what some people say. Hey, I want to fight the best middleweights in the world, but I understand that boxing is a business. I just stay focused on who I’m fighting and Konecny has 50 wins.
“I’ve been undefeated for 9 ½ years and not many can say that. I’m the only American middleweight champion, the only world champion from where I grew up in Grand Rapids (MI) since Floyd. I fight for my family, fans and friends. I’m proud to be American and Cuban. I enjoy being an inspiration for people, especially immigrants like my father who came to America looking for a better life. I even got my GED a few months ago to better myself outside the ring. I am living the American dream.”
Quillin has trained for this fight at home in New York City, instead of Los Angles where his camp has been for his previous eight fights, largely due to family considerations. He’s been able to stay close to his pregnant wife, Allison, although they’ve lived separately during camp. Quillin has also been comfortable training at home, receiving physical therapy, massages and acupuncture treatments twice a week at Wall Street Physical Medicine in Manhattan. He has also gotten invaluable help from Andre at Velocity Sports Performance NYC in Manhattan, as well as conditioning workouts from Coach Dino from the world famous 5th St. Gym in Miami Beach.
Quillin vs. Konecny is part of a Golden Boy Promotions event, headlined by the Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins and Beibut Shumenov fight. The live tripleheader telecast will begin at 9:00 p.m.
