ShoBox Quotes: Quintero, Harris, Avalos, Wilson

Talented, once-beaten prospect Marvin Quintero weighed in at the contracted weight of 131 pounds and hard-hitting veteran Tyrone Harris tipped the scales at 132 ¼ pounds during Thursday’s weigh in at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif.

Harris will be allowed to fight, but will be fined by the California State Athletic Commission for failing to make the contracted weight.

Undefeated bantamweight prospect Chris Avalos and knockout artist Andre Wilson both measured 117 pounds for the ShoBox co-feature.

Quintero (16-1, 12 KOs) hopes to continue his ascension through the ranks with a win over the experienced Harris (23-5, 15 KOs ) in a 10-round junior lightweight bout on Friday, July 31, live on ShoBox: The New Generation on Showtime (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

In the co-feature, bantamweight prospect Avalos (10-0, 8 KOs) faces the tough Wilson (11-2-1, 9 KOs ) in an eight-round bantamweight bout.

The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and will originate from Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif.

What the fighters had to say before Thursday’s weigh in:

Marvin Quintero: “I know it’s a tough fight, but we’ll do whatever we have to do in there. If we have to adjust, we’ll adjust. We’re ready for a war. We’re ready to go the distance. It doesn’t matter.

“It was a harder training camp because he’s a lefty like me. I’ve been working with Antonio DeMarco [who just became the WBC’s No. 1 ranked lightweight and mandatory challenger to current champion Edwin Valero with a win over Anjes Adjaho on July 11 on Showtime]. We’re gym mates. We work well together. We bring the best out of each other and we push each other.

“Since I was a little kid, I’ve always said I’ll get two titles. The first will be a degree in engineering and the second will be a world title. I’m about one year away from my degree.

“(Wes) Ferguson was a tough fight. It took me a while to figure him out, but once I did, I was OK. Ferguson ran from me, but Harris won’t. He’ll stay and battle, but we’re ready for it.

“There’s no rush to fight for a title. I take it one win at a time. After I get my title in school, then I’ll get my boxing title.”

Tyrone Harris: “I feel great about my power. I’ve got a punchers chance against anybody. I just need to keep loose in the there. It was pretty hard to get down to this weight starting out. I had to watch what I ate, but I feel strong and ready.”

“In my last fight, I took my opponent for granted. I’m not going to make that mistake this time. The last loss made me better. It made me hungrier. I now realize the sacrifices it takes to be successful.

“I’ve fought a lot of lefties. That’s just a coincidence, but I like fighting them. I won’t have any problems with Quintero being lefty.

“I got to stay focused from the first round to the last round. When I’ve been training, I’ve had to focus on the mental aspect. The physical thing comes easy for me; I just have to focus on the mental aspect of fighting.

“We’re going to give it 150 percent. I just got to do my thing. I’m not worried about losing or winning. Of course I want to win, but I just want to perform.

Chris Avalos: “This is a tough fight, don’t get me wrong. I’m confident I’ll come out with a victory. My power is something that comes natural. He’s never been down, but I haven’t either.

“This is my first fight against a true southpaw, but we’ve had some excellent sparring. We’ve been with the best as far as sparring.

“I’ve fought a home fight before, so I’m not worried. It’s going to be a good fight. He’s got some experience, but I’m prepared.

“It’s cool to be fighting on Showtime for the first time. My manager Mike Criscio always said, when you’re nine or 10-0, you’ll be fighting on ShoBox. My time has come.”

Andre Wilson: “I’ve been in a couple of wars. This kid hasn’t. We’ll see what kind of fighter he really is when the bell rings because I’m ready for a war.

“I’m a natural right hander, but I fight southpaw. I got pop in both of my hands. He’s never been in the ring with anybody like me. I’ve fought guys that are 126 and 130 pounds.

“I always take my losses and keep my head up. I got robbed in my last fight, but I don’t let it bother me. I think I’m undefeated, but on paper I’m not. I push myself.

“It doesn’t matter where I fight. I come and do what I have to do. Do I want the knockout? Yeah, I’d like to knock him out. But I’ll take whatever I can get.

“It doesn’t matter that he’s a California guy. I’m a road warrior. I’ll fight anybody, anywhere. I’m real dedicated to this. I work in the gym everyday. We’ve prepared well for this. I’ve never been down and I don’t plan on starting tomorrow night.”

Nick Charles and Steve Farhood will call the ShoBox action along with former light heavyweight kingpin, Antonio Tarver, who will serve as a special guest analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information on Showtime Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the Showtime Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.