04.01.07 – Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME – (official weights: Peter 249 lbs & Toney 234 lbs)
Samuel Peter: “I will beat James Toney, hands down. I am going to beat him so bad. I am going to shut James Toney’s lights off for good. I am going to knock him out. I doesn’t matter what round. I want to fight for the heavyweight championship and James Toney cannot stop me. I am going to shut his lights off forever.”
At the podium: “James Toney, I am telling you …” then Peter said something in Nigerian but wouldn’t translate it. He told a writer, “I will translate it for you tomorrow.” Then Don King said: “I heard ALI BUMBAYAH, but have no idea what he said!”
Peter’s Promoter Dino Duva:
“There has been enough talk here this afternoon; the real fireworks will be in the ring on Saturday night. Samuel Peter has trained harder than he’s ever trained, and he is more mentally prepared than he has ever been. He is the best heavyweight in the world.”
Peter’s Manager Ivaylo Gotzev
“Everybody is talking about calories. But there is going to be nothing but beef in the ring on Saturday. Sam is going to bring it onto James Toney.”
James Toney:
“I am the greatest fighter from 112 to 200 plus, bar none. I am the best in the world. Everybody’s talking about what they are going to do, and how they are going to do it. I am from the Show Me State, and I will do that in the ring. I’ll be there.”
Hall Of Fame Trainer Lou Duva:
“Sam Peter can punch; he can do it all. It’s going to be a good fight, a tough fight, but James Toney doesn’t have enough to compete with Sam Peter. Sam is going to knock him out.”
Toney’s Promoter Dan Goossen:
“James Toney has been eating lima beans, vegetables, and even fish! He is doing this to be the greatest heavyweight in the world, and you are going to see that on Saturday night. James Toney will emerge victorious and knock Samuel Peter out.”
Promoter Don King:
“Everybody dreams of the great, green (WBC) belt. This is truly a world championship fight. The champ (Oleg Maskaev) is from Russia. Get ready Vladimir Putin. One of these men will beat the champion.The Russian cannot beat either of these two men. This spells world championship. The buzz is here.”
Jose Antonio Rivera:
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase my skills on SHOWTIME. I am looking forward to putting on a great performance. It’s going to be a war. I have prepared very hard for this fight, and there is no way I am going to give an inch. He is not prepared for what he is going to see on Saturday night.”
Travis Simms:
“Saturday is going to be a special night. I am looking forward to showing Mr. Rivera what a true super welterweight is about. I am looking forward to remaining undefeated. That’s what it’s all about.”