Don King Hosts Massive St. Louis Fight Card Conference

Most of the principal fighters taking part in Don King’s history-making fight card on Saturday (HBO: 9:45 p.m. ET/PT) at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo., were on hand for the event’s final press conference.

King hosted the press conference, touting the event, St. Charles, St. Louis and Missouri.

“It’s a Lou think in St. Louis,” King said, “and out here in St. Charles were proud, and if you cannot hear us, we’ll say it a little louder.

“You see, this is the Show Me State. What does that mean? It means these fighters can talk all they want today, but come Saturday night they are going to have to show everyone what they are made of.”

Devon Alexander: “Lucas say he gonna knock me out. The last guy that said that to me [Juan Urango] got knocked out. I don’t talk trash. I let my hands do my talking for me. Just like our T-shirts today say, ‘R-E-D-E-M-P-T-I-O-N’ is going to happen on Saturday night.”

Kevin Cunningham (Trainer and manager of Devon Alexander): “Devon doesn’t talk trash but I’ll say a few words. Here is a shout out to Cory Spinks. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have all this big-time boxing going on in St. Louis right now.

“We had a tremendous camp up in Colorado, and on Saturday night, Devon will be victorious.”

Don King: “It’s a Lou think in St. Louis, and out here in St. Charles were proud, and if you cannot hear us, we’ll say it a little louder. You see, this is the Show Me State. What does that mean? It means these fighters can talk all they want today, but come Saturday night they are going to have to show everyone what they are made of.”

Lucas Matthysse: “Look, I traveled thousands of kilometers in training and flying here for this fight, and I didn’t come to take a picture with Don King. I came to beat Devon Alexander, and I will.”

Tavoris Cloud: “Missouri, it’s good to be back in the ‘Show Me’ State. Yusaf Mack, he a good fighter, so I heard. All that about him being the new champion ain’t gonna work. It ain’t gonna work, no sir. I’ll see Yusaf Mack in the ring on Saturday night.”

Yusaf Mack: “This city will be smokin’ when I get done with Tavoris Cloud on Saturday night.”

Ryan Coyne: “This was supposed the first world title fight for me. Didn’t happen. My opponent [WBA cruiserweight champion] Guillermo Jones may have stumbled while jogging and fell into Arby’s, if you know what I mean.

“I will only look forward now. I plan to put on a great show on Saturday. Fighting in The Family Arena is special for me because I grew up a few miles from here and I fought my last fight as an amateur here and my first fight as a professional.

“I give my opponent, David McNemar credit for stepping and taking this fight with me on short notice. In a couple of days I’ll probably give him a hug for saving this appearance for me.”

David McNemar: I’m 38 years old and I’ve been in this fight game for most of my life, and it’s been a blast. To be up here with all of these great athletes is truly an honor. I’ll give Ryan Coyne the best I’ve got.”

Bermane Stiverne: “I’m not much of a trash talker. I don’t trash talk. When it comes to boxing, I’m a business person, and I’ll take care of business on Saturday night. I am a heavyweight contender, and I will be a heavyweight world champion some day. I guarantee it.

“All that other talk you hear doesn’t mean a thing. On Saturday night, everything will be taken care of in the ring.”

Ray Austin: “It’s great to be fighting on this show against Bermane Stiverne. I plan to make the most of this opportunity.”

Sechew Powell: “Cornelius Bundrage didn’t even arrive on time from Detroit to attend this press conference. I will show up on Saturday night to take his title back to Brooklyn.”

Cory Spinks: “Thanks for coming out and listening to all us fighters talk trash. Cory Spinks is ready. Whoever this man is I’m fighting is in trouble on Saturday. I am so eager to get back in the ring. St. Louis will see I am ready to be a six-time world champion.”

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $125 and $300 are on sale and can be purchased at the Family Arena Box Office, all MetroTix outlets including online at metrotix.com or charge by phone at (314) 534-1111. All tickets include parking. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions.