BOXING: PBC FIGHT NIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES, JAMES, OWENS, RAMIREZ, AND MORE

Welterweight contender Jamal “Shango” James (25-1, 12 KOs) and former world champion Antonio DeMarco (33-7-1, 24 KOs) meet face to face this Saturday night at the soon to be packed Armory in Minneapolis, MN.
Following this fight, the hometown hero James will have boxed an incredible four times at The Armory since it’s relaunch in 2018. James and DeMarco headline a show that also features Minnesotans Ve Shawn Owens and Celso Ramirez along with a full line-up of fights (see card here).  PBC Fight Night will be televised live on FS1 and FOX Deportes. Ve Shawn Owens moves down to welterweight for the first time in his pro career to battle Juan Jesus Rivera Garces while Celso Ramirez faces Vincent Floyd .

James, of Minneapolis, and DeMarco went “Face to Face” during a PBC on Fox segment which aired last week. YOU CAN WATCH THE FACE TO FACE VIDEO HERE.

The two men joined some of Saturday’s cast of fighters again on Thursday afternoon at the final press conference before fight night. Along with Circle of Discipline teammates Owens and Ramirez, heavyweight contenders Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius , Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington, Charles Martin and Daniel Martz were on hand to share their thoughts on the night of fights.

Here is what the fighters had to say this afternoon at The Armory’s General Hall in front of media, family, and fans:

JAMAL JAMES

Jamal James and Antonio DeMarco face off at today’s press conference in Minneapolis. Photo by Andrew Dobin/The Armory

“I am feeling good right now. I had a great camp. I am fighting a gentleman and a professional. When you have nice guys like us, you know we’re going to try to kill each other in the ring because that’s the only place we can get all of that aggression out.

“I want to thank DeMarco for accepting this fight. It’s a big name for me. So going in here and doing my thing and getting that victory would definitely put me up there hopefully for that title opportunity.

“I definitely am not overlooking him, we are going to out here and give a great show for all my hometown fans.

“I feel that I am ready for a title fight, but whatever my team comes up with, they’ll sit down with me and talk with me and we will figure it out. So if there is another step, then that’s the step I need to be taking on my way to a world title.

“At the end of the day as long as you keep winning, eventually they have to fight you. Every fight in my eyes is a title fight because as soon as you miss out, then now you have to build back up and rebound.

“My first time fighting back at home was a little nerve racking because everybody is here to see you and you want to put on the best show possible. But in doing that, if you don’t know how to control your nerves, you can fight overly cautious and make bad mistakes. Since I have been doing doing this several times now, I have that under control.

“DeMarco is going to be a strong fighter. He has been in a lot of wars. I just expect him to bring it. He is coming here to my hometown to fight me, so that tells you something about him. He has nothing to lose and that could be dangerous. But, I feel like that’s the same with me. Despite being at home, I don’t have anything to lose either. Boxing is a short lived career.

“The Armory is like a second home now to me. Fighting here feels like I’m in my own gym. You get the best sparring and the best fights in your gym because you are super comfortable. I’m totally comfortable fighting at home.

“If I get this victory over DeMarco, hopefully we can get a title opportunity or another big name that will put us right there.”

ANTONIO DEMARCO

“I’m very excited for another opportunity on this stage and to be in a fight like this again. I want to thank Jamal and his team for accepting this fight. I also want to thank my team for everything they do for me.

“Don’t miss this fight. Jamal is going to bring everything to the table and I will do everything in my power to take this victory home to Mexico. As I always say, let god take care of both of us inside the ring and ensure our health. Let the best man win.

“I’ve worked very hard in training and I have an edge in experience, so I know that I’ll be ready for what Jamal can do. We will see how he handles that in the ring.

“I’m not worried about fighting in his hometown. I bring the same mentality into the ring no matter what. At the end of the day, the fans can’t fight for him. It’s just me and him in there.

“My motivated for fighting is very clear, I fight for my wife and my daughters. Knowing that I’m providing for them and can give them a great life is the best motivation anyone could ever have.”

VESHAWN OWENS

Ve Shawn Owens and Celso Ramirez are both featured on Saturday nights Armory show.

“It’s an honor to fight in this Legendary theater again. I can’t thank PBC enough for giving me and my brother Celso Ramirez, two young up and comers a chance to show the world that Minnesota offers amazing talent in the boxing world.”

“Training camp was a breeze. I love the tough and competitiveness in my camp. We are all young and hungry fighters that are willing to do anything to make it to the top. We wake up at 4-5 am, ran about 4-5 miles together, sparred countless rounds, hit the bag countless rounds. I feel strong and confident”

“I know he’s a very tough ring vet straight out of Mexico. He’s been in there with top prospects from around the world and I’m expecting him to be on his a game. It’s a little secret that no one knows but I’m debuting at 147 for this fight. Honestly, it feels no different than making 154. I feel like I should have been at this weight from the start.”

“All I can say is this is not a card you wanna miss. Live exciting action in your city. Come and be amazing by these amazing home town and visiting boxers.”

CELSO RAMIREZ

“It means a lot to be back and I feel honored to be able to be back in this amazing venue. For this training camp it was a long eight weeks of hard training so I am more then ready for this fight.”

“I don’t know a lot about my opponent besides he’s coming to fight and I expect him to try to make it a tough fight for me. Make sure you guys don’t miss this amazing show. EL NIÑO IS BACK!”

ROBERT HELENIUS

“It’s nice to be in America for my first fight here. want to thank everyone involved in bringing me over here.

Heavyweights Robert Helenius, left, and Gerald Washington face off at the Armory. Photo by Andrew Dobin/The Armory

This is the first time I’m going to fight here in America and I’m excited. I’m going to bring my A-Game and it’s going to be a really good fight.

“What I have seen from Washington is the Deontay Wilder fight and his fights against Adam Kownacki and Jarrell Miller. But I think he is still a very good fighter, so this is going to be a tough fight. It has been a good camp and everything is looking good, so I don’t see any problem with beating him.

“I want the fans to be able to see that I am a true Viking in this fight. I will always bring that spirit and energy into the ring.

“I promise you a really good fight on Saturday and I am going to win and after that we can negotiate the future.”

GERALD WASHINGTON

“I’m excited for the show and to be back in another fight again and working towards my goal of being the heavyweight champion of the world. This is step number one for me. I have to start over and start fresh and clean.

“I am looking forward to a good performance this Saturday night and having fun in the ring. I know I have everything I need to win this fight.

“I’m ready and willing to go through whatever is in front of me to reach my goals. I have a challenge on Saturday night and a chance to get closer to where I want to be.”

Charles Martin, left, and Daniel Martz will fight on Saturday night in heavyweight bout at the Armory. Photo by Andrew Dobin/The Armory

CHARLES MARTIN

“I want to thank my team for helping me with everything and putting me in this position. I have been through a lot with this sport and I just want to get back to a world title. There is nothing like that feeling. I have just been working hard and growing every day and I can’t wait to display that on Saturday night.

“I am in phenomenal shape. We are working really hard. We are doing 20 rounds a day and having good sparring sessions. I have been eating well. No fried foods and I am ready to get it in. I have to take it out on somebody. I have been walking the straight line. I have been learning and I am so excited to display my growth.

“I had just got with my new team and things weren’t really fluid in my last fight in March. I am letting off combinations now. It’s a lot of good stuff and I can’t wait to show it.

“We want to get the fight against Manuel Charr. I want that belt. If the stars are aligned, then that will happen.”

DANIEL MARTZ

“I really appreciate this opportunity. PBC has given me a second opportunity to fight on FS1 and it’s up to me to take full advantage of it.

“I had a good camp, I was supposed to fight last month, but the fight got cancelled about a week before, so I just rolled into the next camp. I’ve had about 8-9 weeks to get ready for this.

“It’s always great to get in with a former world champion, and I feel ready. I’m going to go out there and have fun. I’m definitely ready for this fight. ”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.