Fighters appearing on Top Rank’s “Featherweight Fury” card on Saturday in Macao, China, took part in Thursday’s final press conference hosted by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. Here’s what they had to say:
WBA featherweight “super” champion Simpiwe “V12″ Vetyeka (26-2, 15 KOs) vs multi-division former world champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire (32-2, 21 KOs).
Simpiwe Vetyeka: Thank you to Nonito for accepting my challenge. I’m the champion, but I chose to fight Nonito and he accepted…fight night I’ll make sure I defend my title successfully. That’s why I’m here.
Nonito Donaire: 2013 was a year I would say was covered in darkness, but that’s how life is…for me this is a new beginning with Vetyeka. He’s an amazing fighter and we understand what he’s capable of. For us this is a statement, regardless of whether I have it or not. And that’s something everyone will be excited to see. And we’ll find out Saturday.
Unbeaten WBA featherweight champion Nicholas “Axeman” Walters (23-0, 19 KOs) vs multi-division former world champion “Raging Bull” Vic Darchinyan (39-6-1, 28 KOs)
Nicholas Walters: Vic said he’s gonna knock me out, well I want him to take a good look at that belt because the title is mine and nobody’s gonna get it. That’s my title. My name is written on it so he can get that out of his mind. I’m very happy that he’s gonna come forward because that’s what I want. I want to put on a very good, exciting fight…I want my fight to be the best fight of the night, so if Vic is gonna bring it, I’m definitely gonna bring it.
Vic Darchinyan: Everyone saw my last fight. I was winning all the way. I’m always looking for a knockout. I decided I wanted to knock out my opponent and it cost me the fight. I fought many times for world titles, I think 23 or 24 times for world titles. I won eight titles stopping all my opponents. I’m always looking for knockouts. I want exciting fights. That’s just inside me. On Saturday you’re going to see the same thing. Is it going to cost me the fight? I don’t know, but I’m gonna look for my opponent to knock him out. He’s a good tough boy. Have a look and you decide.
