WEDNESDAYS WORKOUT QUOTES: CHRIS BYRD, FRES OQUENDO
18.09 - IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd (36-2, 20 KOs) will make his first title defense against No. 2-ranked Fres Oquendo (24-1, 15 KOs) in the main event Saturday at Mohegan Sun. In a second world title fight on the nine-bout Don King Productions-promoted fight card, undefeated Alex Terra Garcia (21-0, 20 KOs) defends his WBA super welterweight crown against fellow unbeaten Rhoshii The Mongoose Wells (17-0-2, 10 KOs). The Byrd-Oquendo 12-rounder will be shown on HBO at 9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT. The live card starts at 5 oclock.
CHRIS BYRD
The main thing is, I am very excited to be getting back into the ring. Sure, I wanted to fight the bigger named guys in the division, but staying busy is the most important thing at this point.
Fres Oquendo is no slouch and I know he wants my title. I expect him to fight the best he ever has. He is a little different from the guys I have been in with lately, but you have to fight and learn to adapt to every style at this level. I am looking forward to the challenge.
I have never turned down a fight from anybody. My deal is, lets fight and see who is best. This is going to be a very good fight. I am ready to go.
FRES OQUENDO
I would like to thank Don King and, of course, Chris Byrd for giving me this wonderful opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title. It is a rare opportunity and a dream come true for me. I am very motivated, and definitely am going to cease the moment. This is a golden opportunity for me to show my real skills.
I am extremely hungry, and a very dangerous opponent. Byrd knows that, too.
Style-wise, I feel this is a great matchup. It is the first time I will be fighting a heavyweight smaller than me. I am taller than Byrd and have a longer reach.
Byrd has had his way with a lot of the bigger heavyweights, but I am not like that. This is going to be a real fight. I plan to be busy from the start until whenever it ends. I am very confident.
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