The following are quotes from Thursday’s heated press conference and weigh-in in advance of tomorrow’s “Rhode To Redemption” event, presented by CES Boxing at Twin River Casino, highlighted by the 10-round showdown between Providence, R.I., super middleweight Vladine Biosse (15-6-2, 7 KOs) and Chris Chatman (12-5-1, 5 KOs) of Jersey City, N.J.
VLADINE BIOSSE
Providence, R.I.
15-6-2, 7 KOs
170
CHRIS CHATMAN
Jersey City, N.J.
12-5-1, 5 KOs
168
NICK DELOMBA
Cranston, R.I.
7-0, 1 KO
145
JUAN RODRIGUEZ JR.
Union City, N.J.
12-2, 5 KOs
147
JEAN PIERRE AUGUSTIN
Lawrence, Mass.
4-0-1, 2 KOs
219
SOLOMON MAYE
New Haven, Conn.
1-4-1, 1 KO
220
THOMAS GIFFORD
Hot Springs, Ark.
2-2-1, 1 KO
172
EDWIN ESPINAL
Providence, R.I.
6-0, 4 KOs
175
KHIARY GRAY-PITTS
Worcester, Mass.
7-0, 5 KOs
157
ANTONIO FERNANDES
Brockton, Mass.
5-21-2
157
SCOTT SULLIVAN
New Bedford, Mass.
1-1, 1 KO
145
ANGEL VALDEZ
Providence, R.I.
0-2
146
JACOB SOLIS
Lawrence, Mass.
1-0
133
MATT DOHERTY
Salem, Mass.
2-1, 1 KO
135
JULIO PEREZ
Framingham, Mass.
Pro debut
138
RAFAEL FRANCIS
Boston, Mass.
0-4
139
“Rhode To Redemption” also features a dynamic, six-round welterweight co-feature between undefeated Nick DeLomba (7-0, 1 KO) of Cranston, R.I., and southpaw Juan Rodriguez Jr. (12-2, 5 KOs) of Union City, N.J., and a four-round heavyweight rematch between Jean Pierre Augustin (4-0-1, 2 KOs) of Lawrence, Mass., and Solomon Maye (1-4-1, 1 KO) of New Haven, Conn., who fought to a draw in April.
Chris Chatman
Jersey City, N.J.
12-5-1, 5 KOs
“I think I speak for all fighters when I say this all starts with a phone call, text or email. Then that fire starts to burn. Then we start thinking about the fight and that flame grows even more. You study, and it grows. You run and you train, and it grows. It becomes an obsession. ‘I’ve got to beat him. I’ve got to destroy him.’ It burns inside you every fucking day.
“You get up, train go to work, come home, run, sleep, get, run – that’s been my life for the last month and a half. Tomorrow night, the only way I can extinguish this flame is to get up in there and destroy this dude. I won’t get into details. You all followed it in the media. It’s personal for me. I have to destroy this guy. I’ve got to beat him bloody. I’ve got to taste his blood. I’m fucking you up, Vla. Don’t you ever come to my town again.
Orlondo Valles
Trainer, Vladine Biosse
“I just want to say I have nothing personal against Chris, but I will tell you this: I don’t give a fuck what gym you train in, who your trainer is, or if you can punch holes through brick walls. None of that means shit. I used to love stomping out motherfuckers like you who talked all of that shit. [Biosse], you will be using your gloves tomorrow.”
VLADINE BIOSSE
Providence, R.I.
15-6-2, 7 KOs
“It’s an honor fighting at home and showing my talent in front of people like you. Listen, I’ve been doing this many years. Camp was awesome. I’m back with my trainer, got things together and it’s been awesome.
“I appreciate Chris for taking this fight, but, Chris, be a man. Be a real man. Talking all that junk to the media, making up stories to make your story seem like something it’s not – be a man. I’m a gentleman and I train hard to come out and put on a great show every time I come out because I appreciate the people that follow me and show me love. Tomorrow night, you’ll get nothing but the best of me.”
Juan Rodriguez Jr.
Union City, N.J.
12-2, 5 KOs
“I ain’t the one stepping up. Let’s make that clear. For anyone who doesn’t know me, you’ll see Friday. All I have to say is there are levels to this shit, and he ain’t on my level.”
Victor Fagnant
Trainer, Nick DeLomba
“Nick’s been working really hard for this fight. He trains everyday. I wish all of my fighters worked as hard as him. As far as all of those levels go, [Rodriguez Jr.] ain’t ever going to see that level.”
Nick DeLomba
Cranston, R.I.
7-0, 1 KO
“There are lots of great fights on this card tomorrow night. I guess we’ll find out what those levels are tomorrow. We know I bring only one level and that’s my best. That’s what you’ll see Friday.”
Solomon Maye
New Haven, Conn.
1-4-1, 1 KO
“Whoever is fighting after me this time, make sure you warm up, because it’s going to be a quick one. I’m going to knock him on his ass. It’s not even funny. Are you ready? Tomorrow is going to be your career choice, whether or not you want to do this for the next 10 years.”
Jean Pierre Augustin
Lawrence, Mass.
4-0-1, 2 KOs
“Contrary to what you said, I do like you, Solomon. I might even consider you a friend after this. The last time wasn’t my best time out, but you’re about to see what we’ve been working on. I wish you the best of luck.”
