“Fighting in front of a hometown crowd is exciting just like it is in any other sport. You have a home field advantage, a home court advantage and in boxing, you have home ring advantage.” – Lamont Peterson
Lamont Peterson (33-3-1, 17 KOs) and Olympic Gold Medalist Felix Diaz Jr.(17-0, 8 KOs) are set to enter the ring at EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, the fighters hosted a press conference at The Hamilton Live in downtown Washington, DC. The Saturday afternoon Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC event will air live with televised coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
The two co-main event fighters, rising star Prichard Colon(16-0, 13 KOs) and the undefeated Terrel Williams (14-0, 12 KOs)were also in attendance along with undercard fighters super lightweight contender Anthony Peterson (35-1, 23 KOs) and undefeated prospect Alantez Fox (16-0-1, 6 KOs).
Here’s what the fighters had to say just days before their October 17 showdowns:
LAMONT PETERSON
“I had a very healthy and productive training camp. I’m looking forward to this fight. I always look forward to fighting. I wish I could fight every month, I swear I do. But I understand it’s a business.
“I’m looking for a tough fight. I know he’s prepared. I did my homework on him though. I wish we could fight tonight…but I guess I can wait.
“It’s the best to fight in front of a hometown crowd. It’s the best for me, and it’s the best for my fans. It’s always great to walk to the ring and have those familiar faces in the crowd.
“Fighting in front of a hometown crowd is exciting just like it is in any other sport. You have home field advantage, home court advantage and in boxing, you have home ring advantage. I’m blessed to be fighting at home, and I’m blessed to be fighting again.
“It’s going to be really exciting to have my daughter at my fight for the first time. She’ll be at the weigh-in too, so I’m happy I can have here there with me.
FELIX DIAZ JR.
“I like the opportunity but the pressure is on Lamont fighting in his hometown. I don’t feel any pressure coming into his hometown.
“I don’t feel any pressure to keep my undefeated record because I trained to win. The Olympics were the most pressure I’ve ever felt and it was my proudest moment as a fighter and as a man. It’s one of my biggest achievements.
“After this fight, I want to spend time with my family and see Halloween for the first time in the United States. My kids are excited to dress up and I’m excited to eat the candy.”
PRICHARD COLON
“I had a great training camp in Puerto Rico for about four to five weeks. I recently just fought in September and I was in great condition. This fight is a great opportunity for me to be seen on national television.
“I always a look for the win. Looking for that ‘W,’ that’s how we work. If the knockout comes beautiful, I’m coming off of three knockouts in a row. I’m looking to add another one to my record.
“He’s a great opponent. He’s undefeated. I know he’s hungry. I’ve faced big fighters in my career in the amateurs. No worries he’s just another fighter and I know I’m going to be the one with my hand raised on Saturday.
“I want to make my own fighting style. I just want to be me. When I started my career I wanted to be like Tito Trinidad and Hector Camacho Sr. Those were my favorite fighters growing up, but now I want to make my own brand, and that’s what I’m going to do on Saturday.
“Everybody in the area come to EagleBank Arena Saturday. Doors open at 1 p.m. and if you cant make it, tune in on NBC at 4 p.m.”
TERREL WILLIAMS
“I’m ready to go. This is a huge opportunity for me. I know I have a lot of support with my family, friends and fans behind me.
“I have a tough task in front of me. Prichard is a great up and coming undefeated fighter, but I’m ready.
“This is the challenge that I’ve always dreamed. I’m ready to rock and roll on Saturday.
ANTHONY PETERSON
“Its fight time. Make sure you tune in. It’s going to be a great show.
“Boxing in DC definitely took a big turn in 2011 when Lamont kicked in the front door and beat Amir Khan. It was a big victory for the Headbangers and a big victory for the city. Boxing is definitely big in DC again with local fights in small venues and fights like we have Saturday night at EagleBank Arena.
“I feel very sharp. I’m ready to go. I haven’t been this focused in a long time.
“Lamont is more than a best friend. I can’t explain or describe it. I’m so excited my niece is going to come watch us fight for the first time. She’s my heart.”
ALANTEZ FOX
“It’s an honor and privilege to be on the same card as Lamont and Anthony Peterson. They are two hometown heroes that we have all looked up to in some form or another.
“I am still here to put on a show, but it is still an honor and a privilege to be on this card.”
BARRY HUNTER, Peterson’s Trainer
“This is what we do. Fighting has been a part of our lives for I don’t know how many years. I would like to thank Felix and his trainer. Felix is a good young man. He comes with a very good pedigree. I had a chance to hang out with them in Florida about a year or two ago and they treated us with respect and kindness.
“Fighting is what we do damn near all day everyday. It’s in the bloodline. Come Saturday, we look forward to a good fight. I don’t make predictions, but its going to be a great night for DC, and a great night for the DMV.”
PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS COVERAGE CONTINUES ON NBC THIS SAT., OCT. 17, LIVE AT 4 PM ET FROM FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
Coverage is Highlighted by a Bout Between Lamont Peterson (33-3-1, 17 KOs) and Felix Diaz (17-0, 8 KOs)
Marv Albert Calls the Action from George Mason University Alongside “Sugar” Ray Leonard and B.J. Flores
Coverage Streamed Live on NBC Sports Live Extra
A LOOK AT THE MATCHUPS
The 31-year-old Peterson will be fighting just minutes outside of his native Washington, D.C. and looks to pick up his sixth career victory in the DC metropolitan area. He comes off a decision loss against Danny Garcia in April’s PBC on NBC broadcast. A pro since 2004, he owns victories over Victor Manuel Cayo, Kendall Holt and Dierry Jean in addition to his title-winning performance against Amir Khan. He successfully defended his title three times.
A two-time Olympian representing the Dominican Republic, Diaz won a gold medal at his second Olympic games in 2008 in Beijing. Now fighting out of the Brooklyn, the 31-year-old has slowly increased the level of his competition, and owns victories over Emmanuel Lartey, Adrian Granados and most recently Gabriel Bracero in a dominating performance on PBC on NBC in April.
Prior to turning pro in 2013, Colon was a five-time Puerto Rican national champion as an amateur. Colon has been stylistically compared to fellow countryman Felix Trinidad, with all but one of his knockouts coming in five rounds or less. The 23-year-old scored a spectacular knockout over tough Michael Finney in August and in September he knocked out former world champion Vivian Harris.
An undefeated fighter out of Los Angeles, Williams looks to make his mark when he faces Colon. The hard puncher has already picked up two victories in 2015 with a stoppage of Tavorus Teague and most recently, a decision over John Williams in August.
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NBC Sports Group will present more than 50 hours of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) coverage in 2015, including cards on NBC and NBCSN, and NBCSN pre- and post-fight programming for NBC telecasts. The Premier Boxing Champions series is created for television by Haymon Boxing. The PBC on NBC will feature many of today’s brightest stars, in their most compelling matches.
NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs — will stream coverage on NBC and NBCSN via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store and Apple TV. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra.
