09.12.03 – On Saturday, Dec. 13, there will be a blockbuster pay-per-view event featuring five world title fights. Billed “Night Of The Undisputed …. Back-To-Back-To-Back,” this unprecedented night of champions will be highlighted by IBF/WBC Middleweight Champion and WBA Super Champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins taking on three-time and current WBA Middleweight Champion William Joppy. In other world title fights: WBA/WBC Welterweight Champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga battles IBF Welterweight Champion Cory Spinks, former world heavyweight champions Hasim Rahman and John Ruiz collide for the WBA Interim Heavyweight crown, WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Zab “Super” Judah defends against Jaime Rangel and WBA Super Welterweight Champion Alejandro “Terra” Garcia risks his belt against Travis Simms. The world championship extravaganza will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, live on pay per view.
BERNARD HOPKINS (42-2-1, 31 KOs):
“I do not care if I am the main event. This (live) show has eight main events. There is pressure on each person on the card. Joppy is a tough fighter and I cannot take anything away from him, but he has been running his month from day one. I cannot wait to hear what he has to say after Saturday night.’’
WILLIAM JOPPY (34-2-1, 25 KOs):
“I am looking forward to defeating a guy who has not lost in 10 years, to defeating a guy who beat the guy who beat me – illegally. This is my opportunity to show the world what William Joppy is all about. No one has seen me at my best. It will be all-out assault for 36 minutes. I will shock the world.’’
RICARDO MAYORGA (25-3-1, 22 KOs):
“He does not belong in the ring with me. We are not on the same level. I will be his worst nightmare. I will work his body, then take his heart, then knock him out. He will never be the same. I am grateful to Don King for making it possible for me to succeed in America and for my family to live comfortably.’’
CORY SPINKS (31-2, 11 KOs)
“I think they made a big mistake by taking this fight with me. I am prepared to box and move and make whatever adjustments I need to. All boxers are different, but Mayorga has never seen a boxer like me. Boxing is an art. This fight might be easier than anybody thinks. I am ready to tattoo him.’’
HASIM RAHMAN (35-4-1, 29 KOs):
“Training in Las Vegas has put me in the best shape ever. Ruiz says he is going to beat me, but I am going to put a hurtin’ on him. After I win this fight, I am going over to Jamaica and talk Lennox Lewis into fighting me for a third time. We have each won once. The final of a trilogy sounds good to me.’’
JOHN RUIZ (38-5-1, 27 KOs):
“This is it for me, a chance to redeem myself and regain the title. I know I have to win. I have to be the aggressor and look good. If I cannot beat Rahman, I may have to go into another line of work. For the first time in three fights, I am free of any mind hassles. I have never trained like this. I am ready.’’
ZAB JUDAH (29-1, 21 KOs):
“I am planning to steal the show. I usually do not study videotapes, but I have seen tapes of Rangel and I know he is a helluva fighter. Coming to America from another country, he will definitely give it his all to try to make the most of a lifelong opportunity. But that is the way I want it. Let him bring it.’’
TERRA GARCIA (22-0, 21 KOs)
“I am hoping for a great fight and a chance to show off my true ability. I hope Simms does not just run, but if he does I will follow until I catch him. If he stands and punches, I will stop him. I am not taking Simms lightly. He is a good fighter, but so am I. I know what I need to do. If I do my job, I will win.’’