Boxing Quotes: Steve Molitor vs. Celestino Caballero

In the first 12-round world title unification fight in the eight-year history of ShoBox: The New Generation and the first to take place in Canada, undefeated IBFchampion Steve “The Canadian Kid” Molitor, 28-0 (11), and WBA super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, 30-2 (21), will collide this Friday, Nov. 21, from Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada, live on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast.

Both the Canadian, Molitor, and the Panamanian, Caballero, have made five successful defenses of their respective 122-pound titles. The event will be promoted by Orion Sports Management.

What the fighters and their camps had to say at Wednesday’s final press conference:

Steve Molitor: “I’ve been reading in the media that he thinks I’m a pretty boy. We’ll, we know his eyesight is just fine. I’m not worried about anything else other than sticking to my game plan Friday night. He can say what he wants, it doesn’t matter.

“This is a great event and he’s a great champion, but I came prepared and on Friday night I’ll be the unified champion.”

Celestino Caballero: “I want to thank God for the opportunity to find out who is the best 122-pound fighter in the world. This is a great fight for the sport. Molitor is a great world champion, but he has to prove it. And I’m a great world champion, but I have to prove it as well.

“Molitor has never fought a real man before. All these guys that he’s fought: 3K Battery, N’Dlovu, Castillo, Beltran, are not in my league. I’m a real man.”

Stephane LaRouche, Molitor’s trainer: “I can tell you Steve is 100 percent ready, and prepared, but that’s normal for him. He’s constantly ready. With Steve on Friday night, you’ll see the difference between a runner and a slick boxer.

“Caballero is strong, big, awkward and has a lot of tools, but Steve will be on both of Caballero’s arms, showing him different angles with his slick style.It’s going to be a great fight.”

Allan Tremblay, Molitor’s promoter: “This fight is a culmination of 1 1/2 years of hard work to bring big-time boxing to Ontario. It’s been one hell of a journey. And Friday night should be one hell of a fight.”

Leon Margules, President, Seminole Warriors Boxing, Caballero’s promoter:
“We’ve got two great champions putting their belts up against each other, trying to settle who the best fighter at 122 pounds in the world is, and make no mistake about it, the winner will be the best there is, bar none.”