(MAR 21) LOS ANGELES
- The long awaited debut of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN is nearly
here. On Thursday, March 23, Irish middleweight contender Jason
"El Animal" Quigley (12-0, 10 KOs) will showcase his skills
against the hard-punching Glen "Jersey Boy" Tapia (23-3, 15 KOs)
in a 10-round main event battle for the vacant NABF middleweight
title. In the co-main event, Coachella's Randy "El Matador"
Caballero (23-0, 14 KOs) will campaign to become a two-division
world champion as he combats for the NABF super bantamweight
title against Jesus "Estrella" Ruiz (35-7-5, 24 KOs) in a
10-round affair; and making her pro-debut on the national TV
broadcast, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist and highly decorated
amateur Marlen Esparza will participate in a four-round
flyweight fight against Rachel Sazoff (0-2).
The fighters shared their final thoughts ahead the fights, which
will air live from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio,
California on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m.
PT.
Below is what the fighters had to say:
Jason "El Animal" Quigley, Middleweight Contender:
"I'm delighted to be headlining on ESPN on Thursday; it's a
great honor and opportunity. My camp has been amazing - all the
hard work has been put in, and I'm ready. I plan on putting on a
great show for my American audience and my friends, family and
fans back home in Donegal, Ireland.
"If Tapia wants a war, I'll give him a war...I'm prepared for
anything. Winning this fight brings me one step closer to my
dream, winning the NABF title will be fantastic, I still have a
long way to go, and am dedicated to making my dream of being a
world champion come true."
Glen "Jersey Boy" Tapia, Former WBO NABO Super Welterweight
Champion:
"I'm honestly really excited for this fight. Not only because
it's a televised ESPN fight for the NABF title but because it's
been a tough couple of years for my career. People are looking
at this like this a make or break fight for me, and even though
most people would hate to be in this position, I look at it as
an opportunity to bounce back and show the world who Glen Tapia
really is!
"I have a lot of fans that believe in me and have been waiting
for my return, but I also have a lot of critics that question if
I can do this, and that's a challenge that I'm more than ready
to take. My job is not to listen to the critics; my job is to
handle my business in that ring and show them why I belong
here.At the end of the day, I can sit here and talk about what
I'm going to do to Quigley, but the truth is you guys don't want
to hear that. Actions speak louder than words so I'll just show
you guys on March 23rd."
Randy "El Matador" Caballero,Former IBF World Bantamweight
Champion:
"I'm excited to be back in the ring at Fantasy Springs Resort
Casino. To make it even better I will be co-main event on ESPN.
I am so grateful that Golden Boy Promotions is giving the
opportunity to show my talents on ESPN.
"As for my opponent I know that he is a tough guy and is coming
to win the NABF title. I'm sure this is a dream come true for
him. That's why I need to make sure that I'm 100%."
Jesus "Estrella" Ruiz, Former WBC FECOMBOX Super Bantamweight
Champion:
"I'm feeling very confident because we prepared well. I know we
have a tough opponent but we're ready to come and fight and be
victorious come Thursday Night."
Marlen Esparza Signed by Golden Boy Promotions and Former US
Olympian:
"Honestly, I just want to get this fight over with! The first
fight after a long period of time is the hardest, but my trainer
Virgil Hunter has prepared me well to step back in. I know it
won't be the prettiest fight in terms of fighting style, but I
need this fight to get back into the Marlen Esparza that was in
the Olympics."
"I feel pretty confident - come fight night, I will be wearing
make-up, with my hair done because when I look good, I feel good
which makes me fight well. I'm expecting an aggressive fighter,
so I'm slowing down my training to just zone out and mentally be
there."