JARON ENNIS
“This win can put me right in line for Errol Spence Jr. This is a perfect time to make a big statement and I can’t wait.
“I’m looking to make a statement to the whole world. I’m just focused on putting on a show, getting an explosive knockout and then seeing what’s next.
“I’m on my ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. I don’t go in there looking for the knockout, but if I see that opening, I’m definitely taking it. I’m not afraid to get him out early. Everyone knows I’m in and out like a robbery.
“I’m putting my own twist on Tyson. I picked up a few things from watching Tyson, so this is gonna be a fun night. I’m going to be explosive with it.
“My message to the world is just continue to watch me grow and progress and make sure you don’t miss this knockout on Saturday night. Philly is definitely gonna be in the building.”
KAREN CHUKHADZHIAN
“Jaron is a very strong fighter, but we’ve trained very well ourselves. I’ve worked with a lot of different fighters in sparring and we have a good strategy. I’m here to fight and win.
“This is my chance to prove myself to the U.S. public. Everyone knows the biggest fights are here in the U.S. and I plan to be back again.
“I’ve wanted an opportunity like this and I’m very motivated finally being here in the U.S. I’m coming to win for everybody rooting me on in Ukraine.
“I can’t get caught up with worrying too much about Ennis and what he can do. I have great abilities and I trained hard with only one goal in mind. That’s winning on Saturday night.”
RASHIDI ELLIS
“I’m coming to take over the 147-pound division and show I’m the big dog in this division. We’re always ready and Saturday is no different.
“We’re going to see who’s top dog. Villa is in here talking crazy, so I’m going to have to beat him down for it.
“Everybody knows what I want to do. I want the smoke. Give me the best fighter available and I’m gonna get into that ring.
“This is a great stage for me to display my talents. I know that I’m the future of this division, I just need the opponents in front of me that will let me show the whole world.
“You could definitely say that is the biggest fight of my career, but at the end of the day, I’m treating this like another shift at the office. I’m coming to work.
“This is gonna be a great fight. He’s a strong, tough guy who’s gonna come forward and try to hit me with a lucky punch. If he wants to fight differently against me, then I’ll be ready for that too.”
ROIMAN VILLA
“Talk is cheap. Whatever he wants to say, he’s entitled to it. But I’m all about coming here to do my job and give the fans the show that they want to see. You’ll see the action in the ring on Saturday night.
“I’m no fortune teller. I’m just going to control what I can control and let it be what it may be. I’m 100% ready for this fight.
“I’m confident in my training. I’m much more prepared this time than I was for last victory, so my belief is sky high. If Ellis is underestimating me, he’s going to be in trouble.
“I come here to represent not just my country, but the whole Latin community. We’re here to make them proud and that’s what we’re going to do on Saturday night.
“I studied in school, I’m not here to study anybody. I’m going to come after him and be aggressive. No matter what happens, I’m going to be myself.
“I want to stay humble, but I want to see if that smile that he’s got on his face right now will remain after Saturday night.”
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE
“I’m just bringing even more talent to a stacked division. We’re here to give the people what they’ve been looking for, including all of the big fights.
“The message I’m sending is that the best fighters need to fight each other. There’s nothing standing in the way anymore. It’s time for us to get in the ring and make it happen.
“Everyone says they’re coming to make a splash, but I prove it every single time when I step into the ring. I’m going to do what I always do and that’s win.
“I hope he brings the pressure. I’m ready for whatever. If he says this fight isn’t going the distance, then I guess he’s going down.”
DEMOND NICHOLSON
“My goal is to dominate and win whatever way possible. I’m shooting for the moon. It’s my time now.
“I can’t be humble right now. There’s no time for humbleness. Everyone is saying I’m a tune-up, but this is the first fight I’ve been 100% healthy for.
“Everyone is going to see my skills. On January 7, my new life and my career starts. I’m not worried about his talking, I let my hands talk for me.
“He hasn’t fought me yet, so he can forget about Jermall Charlo. He’s doing this thing where he’s talking about facing other fighters, but he has to beat me first. I’ve got a built up frustration about it. You’re never supposed to look past the next man.
“I have to apply the pressure. Pressure bursts pipes. This fight is not going the distance.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.
“Gervonta Davis vs. Héctor Luis Garcia is the first big boxing event of 2023 and the first of many high stakes quality matchups we’re putting together on SHOWTIME. Davis is taking a huge risk against a fighter like [Héctor Luis] Garcia. He’s one of the hottest fighters in boxing and a candidate for 2022 Fighter of the Year.
“This will be ‘Tank’s’ 13th time on SHOWTIME and fifth time on pay-per-view, and by now we know what to expect. Every time ‘Tank’ fights, he is must-see TV. He has sold out arenas in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Baltimore and Brooklyn. His last fight in May was the most attended combat sports event at Barclays Center. If you look across boxing for fighters with these kind of attendance numbers, you can count them on one hand.
“From established veterans to some of the best young fighters in the sport, this is a fantastic card from top to bottom. Make sure you get there early, and we’ll see you there.”
JARON ENNIS
“My motivation is to one day be undisputed at 147 pounds. I’m motivated every day, so this is just another day in the office for me.
“It’s all about fighting the best. I want to fight all the top guys and the guys that everybody knows. But things don’t always go how they’re supposed to. Rashidi Ellis is next. That’s a great matchup.
“I feel like I just have to keep winning and doing my thing. On January 7 it’s another step toward me getting my hands on those titles. Maybe I have to talk a little bit more, but I’m really a vicious dog that just likes to bite.
“I don’t want to be somebody that I’m not. I’m going to be myself and be humble. I’m going to do this my way.
“I’m going to go in there and have fun and be smooth. We have to see what he brings to the table. My time is now. I want to win in dominating fashion, and that means a knockout.
“This is business as usual, with a suit and tie on. It’s time to work. Only difference is I brought in a new strength and conditioning coach for this one. I’m feeling great and I’m ready to rock and roll.
“You can always better yourself and get better at everything. We’ve been working on a lot of jabbing and a lot of pressure. But we’re really working on everything.
“It’s boxing, anything can happen. You can fight the best fighter in the world and you can knock him out in two seconds. The big names are coming, I just have to be patient.”
KAREN CHUKHADZHIAN
“I’m very motivated for this fight. There is a lot for me to prove in my first fight in the U.S. This is definitely going to be a hard fight, but I’m ready for it. I’m preparing to come in and win.
“I look at this fight as a challenge. I’ve been waiting to step up the quality of my opponents. I’ve wanted to fight a guy like Ennis for a while and I’m going to be ready for him.
“I’m going to the U.S. not to get a paycheck, but to give everyone a good fight. I’m not going to give up until I accomplish my goal.
“I want the fans to enjoy this fight. That’s a big part of my job. I’m going to be surprising everyone with what they see from me.
“I only have good things to say about Jaron. He’s a very high-level boxer. We’re watching each of his fights and specific moments in those fights. He’s on the same level with the champions.
“I want to keep fighting people at the top level. I want to put myself in line with all of the top fighters in the division.”
RASHIDI ELLIS
“I’m always in the gym training, so I’m going to be prepared for this fight. I was dealing with a lot in the past, but now I’m here and ready to keep pushing forward with my career.
“Villa has power, he’s tough and he comes forward. He’s also coming off a great win. I know he’s going to be tough, but I’m coming to beat him down.
“I feel like I’m the future of the welterweight division. If a fight with Jaron Ennis comes my way, why not? I’m ready.
“We’re going to find out how tough this test really is on January 7. I’m ready for all the big names at 147 pounds.
“He’s going to come forward and apply pressure, but I’ve been dealing with that my whole life. He can do what he wants. At the end of the day, I’m coming out victorious.
“I’m smart in the ring and I adapt. I don’t think people know about my power. I’ve got some thunder to go with my lightning.”
ROIMAN VILLA
“We’re going to have to wait until fight night to see if any of his words mean anything. I’m not trying to anticipate too much before the fight. In the end, he’s going to have to prove what he’s all about.
“This fight means a lot to me, because it gives me an opportunity to fight for a world title. Whatever happens, this is a fight that I’m going to give my best effort for.
“I’m going to keep being humble and keep doing my job. I’m coming to fight. If Rashidi wants to take me out, he knows he’s going to have to do everything in his power. I’m not going to be easy to take down.
“I’m going to go out there, do my best and finish the night with my hand raised. I’m feeling great and I know there’s only one way this fight ends.
“I feel strong and confident. As a fighter, you have to adjust to whatever comes your way. I know that I have all of the tools that I need to succeed.”
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE
“I’m on a new journey to be a three-division world champion. Nicholson is one of the few who accepted a fight with me. He stepped up to this challenge and I take my hat off to him. I’m looking to get in there with the top names.
“Every fight is a chance to make a statement. There’s not just one fight that catapults you. Every fight is high stakes to me. I don’t look past anybody. We’re both looking to take each other’s head off.
“I’m preparing to be on top. I don’t look past anybody, but I’m confident and I know what I can do. I want Jermall Charlo, that’s what I’m here for. I’ve got a left hand for him.
“I know that I’m in a position now to get the fights that I need for my legacy. There are big names in front of me. I’m looking to make the fights happen.
“I want people to hear from me. Directly from the source. This is me writing my own chapter and the truth will be told.
“I gotta bounce these gloves off Demond’s forehead. That’s what I’m coming to do. I want to put that leather on him. I need a performance that will make people say that they need to see me again.”
DEMOND NICHOLSON
“Beating Andrade would help me rewrite my story. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in the game of boxing. So this win is going to help me start a new narrative.
“I just have to go in there and do what I do best, which is box. I think Andrade is one of the sharpest boxers on the planet, he just has his own style. I just have to box the way I know how.
“I can definitely put the division on notice. My belief is that me beating Andrade won’t stop him from eventually getting the big fights he wants. My only objective is to win and shock the world. Then I can get the fights that I need for my own legacy.
“All of my losses pointed out a specific story that was going on in my life. After the Edgar Berlanga fight, I really had to sit down and map things out as far as life. I don’t look at those defeats as losses, I look at them as lessons. Now I’ve learned my lessons and it’s time to get on the biggest stage of my career.
“It’s time for me to show where I belong. I’ve never lost faith in myself. I know my power and I know where I stand in this world and in boxing.”