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Middleweight contender and New York City native Giovanni “EL Chico Malo” Lorenzo has heard the rumors about a proposed Andy Lee/Peter Quillin bout for St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
The proposed bout would take place on the HBO televised undercard of the Middleweight World Championship bout between Sergio Martinez and Matthew Macklin.
“It’s quite a shock to hear that HBO would prefer Peter Quillin over me,” said Lorenzo. “Our resumes don’t even compare. I’ve fought three fights in Europe, challenging true champions such as Felix Sturm and Sebastian Sylvester in very close bouts. For the last six years I’ve fought the best competition, while Quillin has avoided the best competition,” said Lorenzo, who sports a record of 31-4-0 with 23 knockouts.
“In the last eighteen months, I’ve fought Felix Sturm and Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, each in literally their own backyards. The WBA judge and a hometown photographer had to help N’Dam N’Jikam back into the ring after I blasted him through the ropes in order to keep him from losing,” said the heavy-handed Dominican.
Continued Lorenzo, “Quillin just beat Craig McEwan, who was knocked out by Andy Lee in his previous fight. Other than that, there are no quality wins on his record over more than six years, or any fights against any contenders, let alone titleholders. To say he hasn’t earned a shot against Andy Lee would be a gross understatement. “
“We have two common opponents. The first one, Dionisio Miranda, I starched in the second round. Quillin was life and death with him over ten rounds. Quillin was almost knocked out in the seventh.”
“We also both fought Dennis Sharpe who I stopped in the first round when he was an undefeated prospect. Meanwhile, Quillin fights Sharpe during a five bout losing streak and it still took him four rounds to get Sharpe out.”
At a New York City press conference on Wednesday, promoter Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, was prepared to announce Lorenzo as the opponent for Lee, with full knowledge of the action packed fight he would have for his sold-out event on St. Patrick’s Day. Lee also was adamant that he wanted to face Lorenzo for a much more fan-friendly fight than a challenge from Quillin would be.
“It comes down to HBO and what they want for their subscribers. A real fight between two battle-tested contenders like Lee and myself or allow an undeserving Quillin the opportunity to hit the canvas early at the hands of Lee,” stated Lorenzo.
About fighting in New York City, Lorenzo said, “I live in the Bronx, my promoter Lou DiBella lives here too, as does most of my team. Quillin lived here for a short time than moved to Los Angeles where he trains. Good for him, when there’s a big show at The Staples Center, he should be on it. But at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden, the fans want to see a true local contender in the ring, not a pretender from Hollywood.”
