22.09.06 – Four-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and his November 10 PPV opponent, Fast Fres Oquendo, held a Thursday morning press conference to publicize their November 10 12-round bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Here are some “flash quotes” from the press conference of the big show being co-promoted by Murad Muhammad’s M & M Sports and by Holyfield manager George Hutson, Real Deal Events, LLC.
EVANDER HOLYFIELD (on his quest to become history’s first five-time world heavyweight champion):
“When things don’t go your way, that is a setback. When things don’t go your way and you quit, then you’re a loser. I am not a quitter. This is America and part of America is about letting people do what they want to do. I want to fight. I will become the undisputed champion and then I will retire and be happy and satisfied..”
CO-PROMOTER MURAD MUHAMMAD:
“This show will only been seen on PPV so call your local cable operators. The price is $44.95 and we have a great undercard. It truly is an affordable pleasure at the Alamodome also. Ticket prices, which go on sale October 6, range from $300 down to $25. So it is an affordable pleasure at the affordable Alamodome and one you won’t want to miss. When you’re a grandfather or a grandmother, your kids and your grandkids will ask, ‘Were you there? Did you see the legend Evander Holyfield? You want to be able to look at them and say, “Yes, I was.'” It’s only PPV. We could not get HBO or Showtime because their schedules were filled up. But Fox stepped up to the plate.”
GEORGE HUTSON, CO-PROMOTER:
“San Antonio is a great city, the Alamodome is a great facility and we are bringing a great fight show to the city. This show will add to the city’s great history.”
FAST FRES OQUENDO:
“I am the Latino heavyweight champion and I am the Uncrowned Champion. Everyone knows I got robbed when I fought and beat Chris Byrd. I had a promoter then who didn’t vouch for me. This is an honor for me, this an historic fight and this is a real dream. This is a Cinderella story for me. This is the fight of my life and I will win it. I’ve got seven mouths to feed, including my wife and five kids. I am dedicating this fight to my late mother-in-law. I promised her I would take of my wife and the five kids and I will do that.”
HOLYFIELD TRAINER RONNIE SHIELDS:
“God did not tell Evander, ‘You’re 43 so it’s time to retire from boxing. God did not tell Evander to give up his goals because of his age. I saw him (in the gym). I saw he still had it in him. I know he can and will be heavyweight champion of the world.”
MURAD MUHAMMAD:
“Evander picked this tough opponent, Fres Oquendo. It wasn’t George Hutson and I. We knew nothing about it. That was Evander’s choice. People should know that Evander did not come back because he’s broke. He did not come back because of his pride. Ronnie Shields came to me and said, ‘Evander has turned the clock back 10 years.’
BILL KUNTZ, EXEC. DIRECTOR TEXAS BOXING COMMISSION:
“We are happy to have you fighting in Texas. You passed all the (medical) tests that we gave you. So who are we not to license Evander Holyfield?”
LOU DUVA, LEGENDARY MANAGER-TRAINER:
“Evander is a champion inside and outside the ring. Evander wants to bring the heavyweight championship back to the USA. These champions we have now…you can’t pronounce their names or the places they come from. Evander puts on great fights, exciting fights…that is the tag that Evander has. Deep down in my heart, he has always been the best. This fight with Fres is going to be exciting. It’s going to be a war. Murad is a very good promoter. I want everyone in San Antonio to come out also to see my talented welterweight Oscar Diaz, a future champion. I love it down here. Only problem I’ve had in San Antonio is I yelled at the referee in Italian and they threw me out in Spanish (laughs)…”
MURAD MUHAMMAD:
“We emphasize that this is only on PPV. This is so unique. We are delighted to have Fox working with us now. Fox brought new excitement and drama to the NFL and they will do the same for boxing. Fox brought us ‘American Idol.’ Fox brings excitement, drama ands creativity. Now they will be putting all that into boxing.”
DOUG LEVY, VICE PRESIDENT, FOX SPORTS NET:
“We knew that Evander’s comeback would be exciting so that is why we got involved in it. Evander is fighting a very worthy opponent in Oquendo. We look forward to carrying what should be a dramatic fight. And Murad is right, it will only be available on PPV so call your local cable operator, indeed.”