Boxing Quotes: Paul Williams vs. Kermit Cintron In California

Trendy LA eatery Sisley Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks was the site for today’s final press conference in advance of Saturday’s highly anticipated the “Weight Is Over” battle between former 3-time World Champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams (38-1, 27 KOs) and former Welterweight World Champion Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (32-2-1, 28 KOs).

The scheduled 12-round battle – presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment — will be contested at 154 pounds, a division higher then Williams natural 147-pound weight, in what promises to be an action-packed main event for fans in attendance at the outdoor Home Depot Center in Carson, California and an HBO “World Championship Boxing” television audience. Corona will serve as the event’s sponsor.

In addition to the main event, promoter Dan Goossen introduced reigning WBO NABO Lightweight Champion Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (28-4-1, 14 KOs), who will drop back down to 130 pounds to take on 2004 Dominican Republic Olympian Argenis Mendez (15-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant USBA Junior Lightweight Title.

Seated on the dais were Williams and his trainer George Peterson; Cintron and his promoter Lou DiBella, HBO executive Kery Davis and Goossen. Also called up to say a few words about their title fight were Mendez and Honorio.

Following are quotes from today’s media event:

Paul Williams:

“I’ve been asked the same questions so many times about fighting in different weight classes, if I feel I am getting slighted, that sort of stuff, that my answers are almost like turning on a recorder and listening to it play, but only with my mouth moving.

“But, make no mistake; I don’t mind getting the attention and all the questions. I am confident and comfortable fighting in different weight classes and I will continue to do so for as long as I can and it is feasible.

“Whatever the weight is, my mindset is — and always has been — to fight to the end. I think that is my greatest advantage. I’m satisfied with the way things are going,

“Right now, Cintron is my main focus. The guy right in front of me is always my main focus. I don’t think about any other possible fights. If I’m asked, I’ll talk about it, but otherwise my sole concentration is my next fight. But, you know, my thing is I’ll fight anybody if the money is right.

“Saturday is going to be a real fight between two hungry guys doing their best to get their hand raised at the end. It’s not personal, but he’ll be out throwing punches and trying to hurt me, and I’ll be trying to hurt him. If he catches me with his best shot, I’ll still be standing. When I catch him with my best shot, look out. It may be a different (scenario).

“I hated training camp, getting up at 4 a.m. and working as hard as I did. But that means it was a great camp and I am in tremendous condition. I’m looking forward to making the most of my opportunity on Saturday and making Cintron pay for all the hours and hours I put in during camp.’’

Kermit Cintron:

“This fight has been in the works since 2006 when he was WBO champion and I was IBF champion. We were supposed to fight a unification fight back then. There’ve been talks three or four times since, but the time wasn’t right.

“Now, for me, the timing is perfect and I am very confident. You can call Williams a “feared” fighter, or whatever, but he’s just another fighter for me. This will be an interesting fight because we’ve both overcome some obstacles to get here. Style-wise, it could be the Fight of the Year.

“I had a perfect training camp with no complaints. I am 100 percent physically and mentally and feel that — at the age of 30 — I am in my prime.

“Williams has two inches in height on me but I’ve sparred with taller guys in the gym and don’t expect it to be a problem. If I do my thing and be myself, use my skills and stick to the game plan, I’ll win it on Saturday.’’

Martin Honorio:

“I’ve won a lot of belts and feel confident that I will get another one on Saturday. But this is a very important fight for another reason, too. I need to win to get a shot at the world title.

“I don’t know very much about Mendez other than what I’ve seen on his record and that he was an Olympian. But I am definitely not going to overlook him. The key for me in every fight is training camp and I had a great one and worked very hard. I am in tremendous shape.

“Of course, it’s always better to win impressively and make a statement, but the most important thing is winning the fight. I am looking forward to a very good fight.’’

Argenis Mendez:

“I have prepared very well. I feel really good. This fight should be a war and I’ll do whatever it takes to win. I feel fighting in the 2004 Olympics for the Dominican Republic has been a great advantage for me.

“Fighting internationally as an amateur has helped me as a pro in many ways. I feel comfortable in a boxing ring no matter where it is. I feel I am still learning but definitely improving, too. I’m definitely capable of winning this fight and that is what I am going to do.’’