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Alice Baumgardner (14-1 7 KOs) defends her undisputed super featherweight title against Christina Linardatou: This is a full circle moment for me. I look at her and picture myself in our first fight, and knowing who I am now, the growth that it took to get to this moment, I’m a whole different fight now and she’ll see it on Saturday.
That fight was, in that moment, me stepping up and looking for the challenge. I was 5-0, she was 9-1. I wanted a challenge and that was the one for me, it was a close fight, a split decision, and I lost. But I just thought ‘what’s next?’ I had to be real with myself, change my team and my environment, the location, everything, and everything was necessary to be here.
If you know anything about being a hunter, you must kill your prey. I’ll make sure the arrow goes through his heart so he can’t get up. Even though I’m unchallenged, I still have that dog in me, the hunger she had when she was eight, and she’s the perfect fighter to bring that out of me.
I am embracing all of this. It’s time to feel the love, another time to make Detroit history and do that as a woman, show the world who I am. I come for destruction. I have my grown woman strength and I’m ready to put these hands on her and get back that lick I’ve been wanting to do.
Cristina Linardatou (14-2 6 KOs) challenges undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner – it’s a great opportunity for me, it’s something any boxer dreams of – the biggest thing a boxer can achieve. He’s already done it, but I’ve beaten her once and I’ll do it again.
She is very strong, I remember she was always hugging in the last round, she worked in the first few rounds but then hugging, she was always hunting, never hugging, like I do in every fight.
I always fight hard from the first to the last bell, because I’m the underdog and I know I have to go get it. I have many skills, but I need to be a dog and go find it.
I’m not afraid of power, I’m used to it, I sparr with men and I’ve been preparing for it, and I also have a great defense.
Winning means a lot: I’m looking for the big fights she talks about. I want to do it; I’ve been through hell to get here. I feel unstoppable.
andy cruz Makes Pro Lightweight Debut Against Juan Carlos Burgos For IBF International Title: I want to thank everyone for the support I’ve had leading up to this. It’s all very new, but I am completely ready for this new challenge in boxing. I’m going to take it like I always have. I know it’s completely different even though it’s the same sport, but I made all the necessary changes to be ready and I think it’s going to be a great fight.
It’s important to have positive energy in the gym and I’m delighted to have made the move to Philadelphia with Team Ennis, and I feel like I’m learning every day being in that gym.
There are no easy fights in boxing, and if you think you have one, there is no credibility in taking on that task. So, I’ve prepared well for a tough fight, and I’m going to put on a show for all those who have been waiting to see me.
Juan Carlos Burgos (35-7-3 21 KOs) Faces Andy Cruz for IBF International Lightweight Title: I want to thank Eddie Hearn for the opportunity to fight a top prospect like Andy Cruz. There’s no question that he’s had a fantastic amateur career, but he’s moving into the professional game, and it’s very different. We will both be ready for a big fight on Saturday and the fans will be the real winners.
You will be desperate to prove that you can live up to the hype and showcase your skills, but you will find that this is very different, it is all about giving fans pleasure in the pro game, but I am sure you will too. .
jermaine franklin (21-2 14 KOs) faces Issac Munoz over ten rounds at Heavyweight: I feel like I’ve paid my dues, learned a few new things and gone back to the drawing board and ready to start over.
One thing I learned was part of the mind game; every fight is not the same. Fighters have a lot of pent up aggression, and any little thing can set us off. Those fights with Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, I remember getting involved with the referees a bit, taking my attention away from what I should be scoring. So that’s been my approach now, to focus on what’s important and let nothing get in the way, just tunnel vision.
We’re going for all the big fights and soon I’m going to be in the top five heavyweight, not the top 15. I’m still learning and building, but I feel like the sky is the limit.
isaac munoz (17-0-1 14 KOs) faces Jermaine Franklin in ten rounds at Heavyweight: It is an honor for me to step into the ring with Jermaine. I have a lot of experience with 203 amateur fights so I think I belong here and I’m happy to be here.
It’s very hard to find a Heavyweight in Mexico, but I’m very happy to be in Detroit and I think it’s going to be a great fight.
Ja’Rico O’Quinn (15-1-1 8 KOs) vs. Carlos Mujica in ten rounds at featherweight: I’m ready to go out there and have some fun. It’s nothing personal with Carlos, it’s personal with myself/ I know what I can do, and on this platform it’s my moment. I have been working hard and waiting for this opportunity, it has come out of nowhere, but I am prepared and ready.
I wanted something like this, someone who would make me train hard, he’s coming off a good win and has momentum so he’ll come out stunning, but I’m ready for it. You will receive fireworks from me, high level boxing and bombs; it could end early, at any time.
carlos mujica (8-2 2 KOs) Facing JaRico O’Quinn over ten rounds at featherweight: We often get these opportunities at the last minute, but that’s okay, we’re always in the gym and have a great fight right there. I am 100 percent ready, there will be no excuses, I am here to win and show what I am made of.
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