Quotes & Photos From Dudchenko-Mohammedi Final Press Conference
Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva – Welcome to the beautiful Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. This is our first fight here. This spectacular destination has everything you could want: gaming, shopping and entertainment. We are blessed to be able to come here for the first of hopefully many, many great events.
Last weekend, Chris Algieri became the second Fight Night veteran, after Sergey Kovalev, to win a world title in the two and a half years we have been on the air.
Many fighters either were introduced to the US public for the first time or renewed their careers on Fight Night. World title challengers: Curtis Stevens, Gabriel Rosado, Jesus Soto Karass, Zab Judah and Jerry Belmontes. Top ten heavyweight contenders: Czar Glazkov, Steve Cunningham, Tomasz Adamek, Tyson Fury, Amir Mansour, Bryant Jennings and Eddie Chambers. Top two cruiserweight contender Thabiso Mchunu was introduced. Top two light heavyweight contender Isaac Chilemba and former light heavyweight world champion Gabriel Campillo have appeared. That’s 17 shows and I just read 17 names.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Main Events
Some were introduced here. Some were built here. Some had their careers revived here. Some, like Fury and Algieri, fought in many other places, but appeared one time on Fight Night because our matchmaking team of Jolene Mizzone and J. Russell Peltz have a great eye for the type of fighters our fans want to see. And so we reached out to their promoters. We promised a mix of developing talent, veteran “names” and simply great fights. On the last edition of Fight Night, Steve Cunningham and Amir Mansour took part in one of the best heavyweight fights I have ever seen, while Curtis Stevens came up with a heart stopping 12th round KO to defeat another terrific young prospect, Tureano Johnson.
And so, continuing in that tradition, number 18.
I will give you four more names and on Saturday night, one of them will become the IBF’s #1 light heavyweight contender: Anatoliy “The Gladiator” Dudchenko and Nadjib Mohammedi are both top ten light heavyweights battling for the #1 position in the world. The winner will get a shot at Bernard Hopkins’ IBF World Title within the coming months.
And lightweight prospect Karl “Dynamite” Dargan will defend his USBA Atlantic Coast Region Lightweight Title vs. Anthony “Flawless” Flores in a fight to determine who moves up into the lightweight top ten rankings.
Sullivan Barrera is another fellow who is going to end up on that list of hot light heavyweight prospects. Wellington Romero is undefeated and his intention is to move up and be a world challenger. We are going to follow Romero’s career with great interest. Barrera is going to fight Lee Campbell who scored a big upset win on April 4 over Roberto Jose Acevedo. Wellington Romero is fighting Mack Babb of Brooklyn, NY.
Anatoliy “The Gladiator” Dudchenko – Thank you for this opportunity. I am not a real talking guy. I will make my statements in the ring on Saturday.
Nadjib Mohammedi – First I would like to thank Main Events for this opportunity. We promise a good show and a great fight. One of the best maybe. We are going to win and take the belt.
Karl “Dynamite” Dargan – I just had a great camp. We prepared very well. Anthony Flores is a great fighter. I am not looking passed him. I am ready and come Saturday I will show it.
Anthony “Flawless” Flores – I feel very happy for the opportunity. This is surreal and I would love to take advantage of it.
Sullivan Barrera – We are ready. The camp prepared very well. We are going to come out Saturday and get a “W” and put on a show for everyone. Thank you all for coming out. It is going to be Sullivan Barrera for a long, long time.
Wellington Romero – I am happy to be here. I am feeling real good and am going to put on a good show for everyone.
