After hosting separate media workouts in Miami and Marina del Rey, Calif., Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Jesus Cuellar, Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo and Chris Algieri spoke to the media about their showdowns next Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
PETER QUILLIN, Undefeated Former Middleweight World Champion
“This has been one of the most inspirational camps that I’ve had in my career. I’m around great people. I’m in the best shape of my life and as humble as possible. We’re going into this fight with nothing but confidence.
“I’m mentally and spiritually strong. I’ve been in 33 of these fights in my career. Every one of those guys has said they’re going to beat ‘Kid Chocolate’ but no one has beaten me. I’ve been in with a lot of different guys and I’m yet to be beat.
“I’m humble and blessed to be on this platform. I hope that I can inspire those who want to get to where I’m at. I’ve been in this place before. I’ve been at the top for a while and I’m going to stay here. My view of myself has never changed and that’s why I continue to win.
“It’s important for my journey and my team to get this win. We’ve put a lot of blood and sweat into this and it would mean everything for it to pay off with a victory. All this hard work has to go towards something.
“I don’t have a prediction for fight night. It’s up to Daniel Jacobs to determine that — because I’m here to win.”
JESUS CUELLAR, WBA Featherweight World Champion
“Training camp has been going great. I spent my first four weeks of camp in Argentina and then the past seven weeks I have been training in Los Angeles. My mindset in this camp hasn’t changed at all now that I am defending my title for the first time.
“Jonathan Oquendo comes from a lower division and has fought great competition. As long as I come in prepared for this fight, Oquendo is just another opponent and doesn’t bother me. I know what I am capable of accomplishing in this fight.
“I am blessed to be on such a prestigious card and I am honored to be a part of it. That’s why training camp has been so long, I must be completely prepared.
“There is no difference to me in winning the interim belt versus the title. When I first won the interim belt I considered myself a champion. To me, I’ve always been a champion.
“I didn’t expect to be fighting Jonathan Oquendo, but they mentioned my name and I want to fight the best fighters out there. I will fight any of the best fighters in the division.
“I know that there are five great champions in this division, and I will fight any of them.
“After the Oquendo fight I hope to fight one more time at 126 against a big-name fighter and then I will move up to 130 pounds. I will fight anyone in the featherweight division.
“The fact that I am the only current champion from Argentina doesn’t affect me. I knew that I would be a world champion since a young age and that’s why I train so hard.
“Growing up in Argentina was very difficult. I am one of eight siblings and the only one who is a boxer. My dad first introduced me to boxing because he was a professional fighter in Argentina. I have been in the gym since I was six years old.
“Since I won the title people have definitely begun to recognize me more in Argentina. I have been known since I was on the Argentinean National Team, but winning the title helped my recognition in the country.
“My nickname is ‘El Forastero’ because that is the name of my horse in Argentina. Besides boxing, I have always been interested in riding horses.”
JONATHAN OQUENDO, Featherweight Contender
“Cuellar is a very strong fighter. He’s a warrior in the ring, so I’m preparing myself for a very tough fight. I’m getting ready for his aggressive style.
“This is a great opportunity for me. Fighting in New York, with the great Puerto Rican fan base is wonderful and I am not going to disappoint them.
“I’ve been here in Florida for a month training and I’ll be heading up to New York on December 1. My plan is to go back to Puerto Rico after I win this fight and become a world champion.
“I’m very relaxed. I believe I am going to win this fight. I want to follow in the footsteps of the other great world champions from Puerto Rico.”
CHRIS ALGIERI, Former Super Lightweight World Champion
“Training camp has been fantastic. It’s been a productive five weeks with John David Jackson and we’re ready to roll into this fight. We’ve been working non-stop since the Amir Khan fight and I’m in great shape.
“Bone is a scrappy guy who will come in shape. This is his world title fight. He’s going to come as prepared as possible. I have to go out there and control the fight with my skill level and intelligence.
“I love fighting at Barclays Center. I’ve had some of my best performances there and I plan to do it again and keep it rolling into 2016.
“I’m going to go out there and show winning form. I’m going to use my experience to dominate the fight.”
