Showtime Boxing: ShoBox Heavyweights Quotes And Weights

Fresh off of an impressive decision over Jason Estrada on “ShoBox: The New Generation” in November 2006, the undefeated Travis Walker (22-0-1, 17 KOs) will make a triumphant return to Showtime when he faces fellow unbeaten George “El Torito” Garcia (13-0, 4 KOs) in the 10-round heavyweight main event on “ShoBox” Friday, April 6, 2007.

Opening the telecast will be an eight-round heavyweight battle pitting Raphael Butler (25-3, 1 ND, 20 KOs) against Art Binkowski (14-1-3, nine KOs). Goossen Tutor Promotions will promote the event from The Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Both bouts will air on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Weights: Walker and Binkowski each weighed 235 pounds at Thursday’s weigh-in. Garcia tipped the scales at 250 pounds, while Butler weighed in at 244.

Travis Walker: “Garcia is going to be busier than my last opponent (Jason Estrada). I am going to push him back. I wasn’t happy with myself or my performance in the Estrada fight. My form and feet work were not there. I tried to rush the knockout. I have to stop looking for the knockout because it will come. I have the power.”

“I knew Estrada was going to underestimate me. He thought I was easy and a pushover. It made my life easier. The Estrada fight taught me to work the jab. I learned how to move around and get out of him holding me. I never felt comfortable with the jab, but now I do.”

George Garcia: “I don’t think this is a step up for me. I took this fight because I was making $1,000 a fight. I have a job and a house. I am married with two kids. I wanted to see what boxing had to offer me. I had to decide whether to keep doing this (boxing). This is a crossroads fight for me. I have to figure out if I belong.”

“If I get knocked out in the first two rounds, then I don’t belong with the top heavyweights. People see me and think I am going to get killed in the ring. Then, after a few rounds, they start cheering for me. I want to back Walker up because he can’t fight going backward. He is a big, strong guy with a big punch.”

I am short, but I counter with uppercuts. I can land a lot of punches from the outside. If I was in better shape, I could knock out more guys. I put my punches together. I am not a one-punch knockout guy like Walker.”

Raphael Butler: “Binkowski is a good movie star. He is a tough guy. I expect him to try and attack me early. In my losses, I was trying to go in there and be a bull. You can’t do that with everybody.”

“I am training to get to the top. I have been sparring against guys who are better than my opponents. The guys I have fought don’t hold a candle to Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. I feel like my back is against the wall. If I have another loss, it could be the end of my career. I am dedicated. This is something I have to do. America needs a heavyweight champion.”

Art Binkowski: “I found out about this fight 10 days ago. I was willing to fight for free. I don’t need money. I have my own money. I was brought here as an “opponent.’ Butler is a strong kid and has some power. It is going to be a tough fight for both of us.”

‘I don’t think Butler likes pressure. I will bring the pressure. He really hasn’t faced pressure yet. I am going in there to beat Butler up. It is going to be a war tomorrow. This is a one-fight deal. We will see what happens after that.”