The Edison Ballroom was the penultimate stop before this Saturday night’s epic doubleheader on Showtime as the main event fighters hit the stage before the weigh-in’s to address the media and get one last chance to tell their stories.
“I’m so happy to be here in the ‘Big Apple,” Wilder explained. “It’s been over 115 years since there’s been a heavyweight title fight in Brooklyn and you’ve invited your ‘country friend’ to end that streak.” The fighter who calls Tuscaloosa, Alabama his hometown had plenty to say about his opponent in his third WBC title defense, and while he has big plans for 2016 and beyond, he is not looking past Szpilka.
“I take pride in what I do and what I have. I’m very honored to have the WBC belt. I even have the belt tattooed on my body. It’s not going anywhere. But there are more belts that I want. It’s going to be a long journey and a tough path to fulfill. But I’m that man.”
It might sound like Wilder is getting ahead of himself before he even sets foot in the ring with his Polish challenger, but this man on a mission has put the heavyweight division on notice. “People who know me know that if I say I’m going to do something, I’m doing it. I am hungry. I am determined. I’m not playing with anybody in 2016. I don’t say things just to sound good. My actions will speak for themselves.”
Szpilka sees this fight as his opportunity to show the world who he is and bring the first heavyweight title to Poland. “There’s no pressure on me. The pressure is on Deontay because I just want to be a world champion, he already is… I’m not just here to get my paycheck. Everyone who knows me, knows I come to fight. I don’t just want to win; I want to win in spectacular fashion.”
The day before this press event, Wilder and Szpilka visited the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan for a photo opportunity. Unsurprisingly, this resulted in a physical altercation between the two with shoves being exchanged along with some words. “I know you have to have a great respect for your opponent and I used to have respect for him,” Szpilka said. “But after what he has said about me, I have a problem. You have to prove it in the ring. He has to do it in the ring, not outside the ring. He can say whatever he wants, but we will see it in the ring.”
With everything on the line in this fight for both men, Wilder’s mind is already in a space of victory and having an excellent 2016, with a win over Szpilka being the perfect start to his plans. “When people say the heavyweight champion of the world, I want one person to be recognized. I wish my opponent and all future opponents good luck, cause they’re going to need it.”
WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder and bruising Polish contender Artur Szpilka will meet on Saturday, January 16 inside The Barclays Center. The live telecast will be on Showtime, starting at 10 PM EST. Non-subscribers of the premium channel will also be able to enjoy the fight since this is a preview weekend for the station, and viewers will also be able to watch it for free streamed on Youtube, so there is no excuse not to watch this event.
If you want to watch the full press conference with all of the speakers including the coaches and executives, check out the video below:
Who will take home the gold this Saturday night at The Barclays Center? Make your predictions in the comments section below, or be forever silent!