22.04.04 – VITALI KLITSCHKO: – “I want to thank everyone involved for making this fight happen, including HBO, STAPLES Center, the WBC, Universum and K2 Promotions. I am very happy to be fighting at STAPLES again and fighting for the most prestigious title in boxing, the WBC heavyweight championship. All my preparation is done and I am in great shape. I am ready for a great performance. Corrie Sanders is a very good, aggressive, fast fighter with a good punch. I know this is not an easy fight, but I will give my best. I have seen many tapes of him, and I am prepared for anything he will do. My focus is entirely on Sanders. I cannot think now about what happened to my brother, Wladimir, in his fight. What is important for me now is to do what I have to and become world champion. That has always been my goal. I have the chance and I hope to make the best of it on Saturday. I hope it is a clean fight. I am ready. I hope all my fans come out to support me.’’
CORRIE SANDERS: “I took care of his brother; now I am ready to take care of Vitali. I know my fight with Wladimir was not a great moment for either of him. But it was not Wladimir’s time. It was my time. If Vitali gets past me, it will be his time. I have trained hard since January. I am ready to take advantage of this opportunity. I am38, but I feel 32. I want to get in and out of the ring as fast as I can and be world champion. I am really looking forward to the fight. Wladimir has more skills, but Vitali is stronger. This is a very big fight back home. It is on the television everywhere. A lot of people are rooting for me. I do not plan to disappoint them.”
LENNOX LEWIS
“It is great for me to be standing at a podium and not having to take about me fighting. Two great fighters will be fighting for my belt. I still have it, but after Saturday it will belong to one of them. Corrie is a real rarity: a southpaw heavyweight. He is going to give Vitali all he can ask for. There is pressure on both of them. Boxing is survival of the fittest. You deal with getting cut, getting hit on the chin, stamina, the fact everybody in your hometown is counting on you to win. There are some unanswered questions about Vitali, and Corrie will uncover them. I thought Wladimir was the better of the brothers because he moved around more, but I guess I was wrong.’’
JOSE NAVARRO
“I have always wanted to fight in my hometown at STAPLES. I have trained hard for this fight, like I have for all my others. Sure, I am taking a risk. My next fight could probably be for a world title, which would be a dream come true for me because my goal since turning pro has always been to fight for a world title. But I am almost there. First, though, is my fight Saturday. I am ready to go. I really want to give Los Angeles a great fight.’’
CARLOS BOJORQUEZ
“I have worked very hard and I am ready. I feel good. I would like to thank everybody who made this fight possible. It is a great opportunity. It will be a great fight and a great show Saturday and I am happy to be part of it.’’
RON WEAVER
“Bojorquez is a really good fighter, but I consider myself best. We fought before, but this time I am well-prepared and looking forward to doing my best.’’
LISA HOLEWYNE (Will be fighting Sumya Anani)
“I am really honored to be here and part of this grand event. In my fight, we have two established female fighters going in against each other. I know I am fighting an exceptional talent but I plan to give her all she wants and then some. Thanks for all your support.’’