Naoya Inoue and Alan Picasso faced off for the first time this week at Thursday's final press conference ahead of Saturday's Ring 5: Night of the Samurai in Riyadh.
Promoter Eddie Hearn arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host the Christmas Day presser at the Global Theatre at Riyadh's spectacular Boulevard World. The show also features former bantamweight world champion Junto Nakatani, moving up to junior featherweight to make his debut in the division, against Sebastian Hernandez of Mexico, Kenshiro Teraji defending his status as world champion at junior bantamweight against Mexico’s Wilibaldo Garcia, in addition to Taiga Imanagafacing Dominica's Eridson Garcia, and Reito Tsutsumi taking on Mexico’s Leobardo Quintana.
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES:
Naoya Inoue
“This bout is going to be really important for my future – and how I fight it will be crucial to becoming pound-for-pound No. 1. So, I will give 100 per cent. I promise you that there is no chance that my belts are going back with him [Alan Picasso] to Mexico. This is a critical fight in the super bantamweight division, which you will see on Saturday. I am ready. All the Japanese fighters here have a high skillset and their mentality is very strong. That is proven and we will all fight good fights – and we plan to go home [to Japan] with good victories."
Alan Picasso
"First, I would like to say thank you to [His Excellency] Turki Alalshikh, The Ring Magazine and the promoters. All the people who have made this possible for me, thank you. It is amazing to be here. Of course, I want to share my respect to Japan and to all of the Japanese fighters. However, on Saturday, it will not be the ’Night of the Samurai’ – it is going to be an Azteca night. We represent Mexico and every single fighter who is here fighting for Mexico on this card, we are doing it for our people. We do it because of the blood running inside our bodies. I’ve been working and working so hard for this moment. I have run thousands of kilometres. I am so proud of the job I have done – and bringing those belts to Mexico would make my country so proud, so I will not let them down."
Junto Nakatani
“First of all, I want to thank everyone for inviting me to such a big stage. I have been preparing 100 per cent, so you will see the best of me on December 27."
Sebastian Hernandez
"Junto Nakatani is a really good fighter and I feel really excited for this fight. I have prepared my best, so I will give my absolute best in this fight too. Thank you for everything."
Willibaldo Garcia
“People are wrong if they think I am going to lose. I am ready to win. I’m ready for war – I am going to win. I am going to finish him and I will deliver a KO.”
Kenshiro Teraji
"I really need to fight well and win what is such a huge match for me. I have to take the next big step [in my career], so I will make sure to win this World Title fight. I’ve always wanted to face [Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez] so I would like to perform well enough to get the chance to do so one day."
Leobardo Quintana
"I’m ready – and I’ve been ready for the past week. I feel very strong and I am ready for victory."
Reito Tsutsumi
"I know this is a great chance for me to impress on the big stage this time. That’s why I want to enjoy it on Saturday and have some fun as much as I can.”
Eridson Garcia
“Thank you to Matchroom and Turki Alalshikh for bringing me here. Of course, I am ready to upset everyone else and win the fight on Saturday.”
Taiga Imanaga
"I’m delighted to be here in Riyadh and I want to make sure that my presence is confirmed on such a big stage by trying my best to win, so keep on supporting me.”
