Showtime Boxing Weights And Quotes: Dirrell, Findley, Hearns and Yorgey On ShoBox
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Undefeated super middleweight Andre “The Matrix’’ Dirrell faces Derrick “Superman’’ Findley and Ronald “The Chosen One†Hearns meets “Lightning†Harry Joe Yorgey in a battle of unbeaten junior middleweights in the 10-round co-features tomorrow/Saturday, March 28, on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast.
Dirrell, 17-0 (12), of Flint, MI weighed in at 166.5 lb while Findley,13-2 (8), of Gary, IN scaled 166. The son of legendary Thomas “Hitman†Hearns, Ronald Hearns, 21-0 (17), tipped the bar at 151.5 lb while Yorgey, 21-0-1 (9), of Bridgeport, PA., weighed in at 153.
Andre Dirrell:
“I want to thank everybody, my promoter, grandfather and Showtime – again – for putting me in my first main event and for giving me another opportunity to fight and for helping me get to this point. This is a great card and I hope you watch it if you can’t be here.
“I’m ready to make something happen. Findley is a strong guy and I am not taking him lightly. I have trained for this like it is a world title fight.
“There is no pressure for me to put on a spectacular performance, but I really feel I learned something after the Curtis Stevens fight, which is why I feel I’ve looked a lot better in my last few fights. So, yes, I am looking forward to a spectacular fight.
“I believe I am peaking at just the right time. My time is now and I feel I’m ready for anybody at 168.’’
Derrick Findley:
“I am a man of few words. I’m not into all the BS talk. I know that everybody is counting me out, but Dirrell is making a big mistake if he’s looking past me. I’m a good fighter, but everybody seems to look down on fighters from the Midwest.
“I am very excited about this fight and this opportunity. I have always lived and dreamed about getting this kind of fight. It is like fighting for a world title. I’m well prepared and ready to fight.
“Dirrell is a good fighter, but I’m not impressed. I’m not impressed by any fighters.’’
Ronald Hearns:
“There’s no question that I feel blessed every time I fight on Showtime. It gives me a chance to showcase my abilities. You always want to look good on television because so many people will be watching. I respect Yorgey, but I’m ready for anything he brings.
“Experience-wise, I feel I’ve grown into a true professional and I’ve felt really comfortable in my last 3-4 fights It’s true I’m still fighting in the shadow of my father, but the more opportunities I get like this, the more people will get to know and appreciate me as a fighter, and not just as the son of Thomas Hearns.
“I’ve dealt with pressure my whole life, going back to the days when I had to fight in the streets. Guys knew who I was and were like, ‘well, let’s see what he’s got.’ It didn’t take long for them to find out.
â€My dad has been very supportive and I always remember three things he told me that to make it in this sport, you have to be an entertainer, everything you do in the ring starts with the jab and you have to train harder than anybody else, that physical ability and talent don’t always guarantee success.’’
Harry Joe Yorgey:
“I want to thank Showtime for putting me on this card. It is going to be a great one – if you don’t have Showtime, go out and get it.
“There is a lot at stake for both of us. I know I’m ready, and he’s ready. This is a great opportunity to fight on the big stage. This is going to be a great fight, maybe the fight of the night.’’
Thomas “Hitman” Hearns:
“I’m so proud of my son for what he’s accomplished and the way he’s handled himself in and out of the ring. I have never seen anyone work harder. He’s a natural athlete who got a late start in boxing, but it hasn’t slowed him down. He continues to improve.
“It has never been easy for him, and I respect him so much for that. It’s extremely tough on any fighter to make it in this game, but trying to make and do what your dad did makes it even harder.
“But he has what it takes: the attitude, the enthusiasm. He’s always in shape. He knows he can’t cut corners and expect to get away with it.
“I know he wants to do this for me and to prove so many people wrong about him, but I keep telling him that it’s OK to pattern yourself after somebody but ‘it’s all about you.’ For me, now, it is a great pleasure watching him fight and it has always been almost like an honor to have him as a son. I really love him.’’
The ShoBox doubleheader at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and DiBella Entertainment. The first live fight Saturday starts at 8 p.m. CT.