Errol Spence Jr. vs. Lamont Peterson Fight Week Media Workout Quotes & Photos
Welterweight World Title Showdown Headlines Saturday, January 20 Live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
BROOKLYN (January 17, 2018) – Welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. and former two-division champion Lamont Peterson hosted a media workout in Brooklyn on Wednesday ahead of their main event showdown this Saturday, January 20 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features unbeaten lightweight world champion Robert Easter, who attended Wednesday’s media workout, taking on former champion Javier Fortuna, who was unable to make the workout due to a flight delay caused by storms in the northeast.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are priced starting at $50, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center or by calling 800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Here is what the fighters had to say from world famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn on Wednesday:
ERROL SPENCE JR.
“I’m training for the Lamont Peterson that I know. He’s a hard worker, he’s hungry and he has a big heart. People shouldn’t look past this fight because I’m not at all. Peterson is a great fighter who’s seasoned.
“Everyone knows my style. The outcome usually is a stoppage. I won’t be looking for it, but if it presents itself, I’ll be ready to take advantage.
“I’m going to stick to my game plan. I can’t be worried about anything my opponent does during training camp. I have to focus on what I do best and listen to my coach. My style isn’t going to be effected by Lamont’s training.
“I’m keeping the same mentality that I’ve always had heading into fights. Winning the belt helped get my name out there, but my mentality is still to grind and stay hungry and listen to my coach. Nothing is different, I still change diapers and everything else you’d imagine.
“There are so many guys in the welterweight division, I want to clean them all out. If I keep beating the top guys, I’ll be the last one standing. I’m going to dominate like I’ve been doing.
“I’m not going to wait around for unification fights, I want to fight three times this year and I’ll take on the best opponent who steps into the ring.
“I’ll have to wait until I get into the ring to see how our power compares to each other. I’m the bigger guy but I don’t think we’ll really know until the first round. I’m going to stick to my game plan and adjust on the fly.
“I expect a 12 round fight and that’s what I train for. You have to have a smart coach to make adjustments during the fight and capitalize off your opponent’s mistakes.
“I know he’s going to be difficult. He’s a guy with fast feet who can come forward. He can basically do it all. I’m going to have to solve the puzzle.”
LAMONT PETERSON
“The hard work is over and now we’re just fine-tuning and making sure everything is perfect for Saturday. It’s been a great training camp that was tough at times, but that’s exactly how we want it.
“Errol Spence is clearly a great fighter. I can see why people revere him in that way. But on Saturday, we’re going to give him a fight and he’s going to have to prove it.
“I don’t have to worry about what anyone says about us leading up to this fight. I know Errol well and it happened that it was time for us to fight. This is what we do so we’ll definitely give it our all on Saturday. My mentality is to win.
“I’ve been staying in the gym the whole time since my last fight. Even if I haven’t been fighting, I’ve been sparring and keeping my craft sharp. You never know how long a layoff will be, so I made sure to keep my mind on boxing.
“I can’t do anything but go in there and take care of my business. I can’t control the judges or anything that happens outside of us fighting. I’m trying to win a fight and that’s all I’m concerned about.
“I think the fans are really going to like this one. We may start out feeling each other, but I know from the way we both fight that it’s going to turn into a war not pretty quickly.
“There’s nothing that I’m really looking to expose, but doing things at the right time during the fight will be key. Errol is a solid fighter across the board and we’ll see what he brings on fight night.
“I’m looking for a victory. That’s what I’ve trained for. It doesn’t matter how I get the win. I’m determined to take home that belt.”
Photos from Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
