With so much hyperbole and controversy around the main event at the Barclays Center tonight, there are some key fights underneath Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia that have remained firmly in the shadows.
In the co-main, Arnold Barboza faces Sean McComb, and elsewhere, Charles Conwell has his initial outing for Golden Boy Promotions.
The former amateur star is having his first fight in two years.
“It was just a great opportunity, they understand it as fighters [Golden Boy promoters Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins] with the legends pushing me, it’s perfect,” he said of his decision to join Golden Boy.
The 18-0 (13 KOs) super welterweight, who takes on 22-7-1 (17 KOs) Nathaniel Gallimore, said he was ready to get his career back on track.
“Oh yeah for sure,” added the Ohio resident. “The hard work is put in, I’ve been working the whole time. I just can’t wait to put on a show.”
Elsewhere, unbeaten 32-year-old Frenchman Pierre Hubert Dibombe, 22-0-1 (12 KOs), said he was ready to seize the opportunity of facing highly-regarded 13-1 (10 KOs) Uzbek southpaw Bektemir Melikuziev.
Dibombe is a big underdog.
“I know that,” he admitted. “But I will show you my talent. I know he’s a good fighter and I’m a good fighter, too, and you will see that in the ring. I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I’ve waited for this opportunity all my life, so I’m here to win and take his belt [WBA Inter-Continental 168lbs strap].”
Melkuziev said he was ready to go to work.
“It’s going to be a great fight,” he added. “Everyone is going to see a great fight. I have a great opponent in front of me, we both come to fight. It’s been a great training camp, I’m ready, and it’s going to be an exciting fight. Saturday, it’s Bully Time, let’s go.”
In a contest for the WBA Interim super flyweight title, John “Scrappy” Ramirez meets David Jimenez in a fight some think could steal the show.
Ramirez, 13-0 (9 KOs) is from California and Costa Rican Jimenez is 15-1 (11 KOs). Both were fired up at yesterday’s weigh-in.
“4/20 [April 20], we’re going to roll him up and spark him up,” said Ramirez.
Asked why he wanted to fight Jimenez, Ramirez said he hoped to learn from him.
“Because he’s got the resume, he’s got the experience,” Ramirez added.
The fighters verbally antagonised one another on the stage, with Jimenez mocking Ramirez’ belt collection.
“I just told him, he’s going to see what I’m all about,” Jimenez said. “He’s going to cry because he’s never faced someone like me. Those belts he has, he bought them at Toys R’Us.
“I’m going to make sure he knows that.”
