Heavyweights Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) of England and Russia's Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs) plus the undercard fighters held a press conference Thursday. Whyte and Povetkin meet Saturday's headlining Week 4 Matchroom Fight Camp action in Brentwood, Essex, England.
Here is what the fighters had to say.
DDillian Whyte – Brixton, England – 27-1, 18 KOs – fighting Alexander Povetkin for the Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title and WBC Diamond Title:"I had two fights last year but my mind wasn't right. I put weight on. For my last fight I was nearly 20st. I got myself in shape slowly. I knew who I was fighting, and what it would take. I got into shape. The story of my life is pressure. I've been under pressure my entire life. This is just another puzzle. There is more pressure because of the future, but that's in the future,"
"I'm fighting a consummate professional so I'm not bothered about Tyson Fury. I'm bothered about Povetkin. Povetkin is the most technical fighter I've fought. He has beaten a lot of top guys. He's an Olympic gold medallist. He's only lost two fights. When the bell goes it doesn't matter if there's 100,000 people there or 100 people. You are zoned in,"
"When I'm in shape, you've got problems, because I can do what I like to do. I don't mind blowing up because I can recover, go again. Whatever he wants to do, I'm cool with it. I don't like to make predictions. He is very experienced and can look after himself. He's a tough guy. But listen, if I land early? It is night night early. But he can do the same, as well,"
"I deal with pressure well. I could have taken an easier fight. These are the fights you need to grow. This guy has seen everything, probably 20 guys like me. To beat him, I will bank his experience. This motivates me. I will have to think more than I normally do. It gives me an extra edge,"
"I'm ready for chaos and violence. I am focused on Povetkin. I will try to hurt him from the first bell. It will be war - that's what he does. The great thing is that we both do similar things. It's up to me to do things to make the fight in my favour, and I am capable of that. He is more experienced but I know how to fight, which isn't something anyone can teach."
Alexander Povetkin
"First of all I would like to thank Eddie for doing this event during a pandemic. I'm very happy to be here. Thanks to Dillian also for taking this fight. Hopefully it will be a great fight in the Heavyweight division. I have taken responsibility to train for this fight, understanding how serious it is. You have to take Dillian seriously. I don't like to make predictions - but it will be fireworks..."
Eddie Hearn:
"This is it. This is the final week of Fight Camp. It has been just the most remarkable project we've ever been involved with. The return of big time boxing. We've had a wonderful three weeks. Some of the fights of the year. This week is really the first major card, the first major names to return to the sport of boxing since the pandemic, since lockdown has been over. It's a thrilling fight card. Five fights on the card with Sky Sports Box office in the UK and DAZN in the US. Every single fight is a pick'em fight. Whyte is in fantastic condition. The scariest thing about Povetkin is his level all the time - from when he fought Joshua, Hunter, Price - I have not seen him deviate. Not even the tone of his voice. He is a machine! He is programmed to destroy. He will do everything in his power to do that. There is no quit in him, no backing down. If the machine gets broken down, you can't conduct the task. That's what Whyte will do."
Katie Taylor – Bray, Ireland – 15-0, 6 KOs – defending her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles against Delfine Persoon:
"I'm very very excited. I've said it before, this is why I'm in the sport of boxing, to be involved in fights like this. This is a legacy building fight for me and Delfine. We're both in this sport to prove that we are the best. You have two fighters here that absolutely believe that they are going to win. We both think we're going to win. That's what makes this such a fantastic fight. I want to be involved in the biggest fights and that's why I wanted this rematch. I want to prove that I am the best. There will be criticism whether I win or lose. This is why I'm in boxing - to be the best. I want to be known as the pound for pound No 1. No crowd, all the belts on the line? This is the purest form of boxing you will ever see. I'm prepared for whatever comes my way on Saturday. May the best boxer win.
Delfine Persoon – Roeselare, Belgium – 44-2, 18 KOs – challenging Katie Taylor for the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles:
"It's up to me to prove that I also deserve the Titles. In New York, for us, it was not the correct decision. Everybody thinks [I won the first fight with Taylor]. It's good there is a rematch. We will see who is the best fighter. We didn't think [Taylor would grant a rematch]. We were very surprised Katie is taking this risk. For her, it is a big risk. If she loses, it isn't good for her career.
"A war? This is boxing. Punch, punch back. It is not a war. Grabbing and holding is not boxing. Boxing offensively, jabbing and working, is the way to box. I respect her style. I must prove my style, like I did in New York, but even better. But I like to box in front. Boxing with my heart can be a problem, sometimes I forget to use my [brain]. I must not give her time to hold me. Don't give her the time.
"I could see I am bigger than her. I have to start the fight faster than last time, with a higher tempo. But I can't change the whole thing. My way of boxing is with pressure. I can box also on the back foot but, a lot of the time, my opponents don't pressure me. But I can do it. I spar with guys in Belgium who are stronger than me. They give me problems and I find solutions. Against a girl, I always feel stronger because I train with men.