Latino Night Final Press Conference

The final press conference for Riyadh Season's Latino Night took place earlier as WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) of Mazatlán, Mexico and WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) of Bournemouth, United Kingdom were on hand to discuss their title unification. Latino Night takes place this Saturday night in Riyadh live on DAZN.

GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMÍREZ

“I’m happy to be here! I’m really excited for Saturday night. My team has prepared well for this fight. I think I will represent ‘Noche Latina’ very well. ¡Viva México! Watch me represent Mexico on Saturday. I’m ready for whatever he [Billam-Smith] brings to the table."

“I’m eating better and I’m not killing myself [to make weight] in this division. I’m ready, I’m happy, I feel grateful to be here for this big opportunity and I’m ready to take it for myself and for Mexico."

“I’ll show everyone that I’m ready for this division. I’m going to prove to myself and to everyone else on Saturday night that I’m ready to take the belt."

“I need to throw a lot of punches. That’s it. I need to win every round [to beat Billam-Smith].”

CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH

“It’s an honor to be here on this stage, these are the fights and shows that are taking over the global audience. It’s amazing to be headlining this night, and while this night is supposed to be Zurdo’s, unfortunately I’m here to spoil the party again and I’ll be doing that Saturday night."

“I know the level I’m at. There’s no offense taken [at being referred to as the underdog]. It gives me even more drive and he’ll be eating humble pie on Saturday night."

“I want to fight the other champions, and we’ve tried to get in the ring and we weren't able to do it. Obviously, Zurdo did, and I’ve followed Zurdo’s career for many years. He’s had a fantastic career and I know he’s a fighter’s fighter, who will take up any opportunity and take on any challenge. You want those fighters in your division when you’re a champion and looking for those other belts. I was really happy he won that fight and that we can get it on."

“Yes, for sure [on his size and experience at the weight class being an advantage] but it’s what you do with the size. It’s no good to be big and strong, it’s about speed, skill, power, and the punch output that goes with that. That’s what I’m able to do and that’s why people can’t live with me in this division.”

Also on hand former world champion Jose Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs) of Avenal, California taking on number one contender Arnold Barboza Jr. (30-0, 11 KOs) of Los Angeles, California., in the welterweight co-feature. Undefeated lightweight William “El Camarón” Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) of San Mateo, Mexico, takes on former American IBF World Champion Tevin “2X” Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia for the WBC interim lightweight title.

JOSE RAMIREZ

“It’s an honor to see the country of Saudi Arabia find so much interest in Mexican culture. I’m ready for Saturday night. I’ve trained hard. I have amazing coaches in my corner. I feel ready for Saturday. It’s going to be a great fight. I’m going to go out there and do my best to show people that I’m the best 140 pounder in the world.”

ARNOLD BARBOZA JR.

“I’m very excited, we’ve trained real hard for this fight. This is my title shot. This fight has been important to me for a long time. We’re ready to go out there and have an all Mexican war in the ring.”

“We’ll do what we have to do to make a statement. Shout out to Jose Ramirez for taking this fight, I look forward to fighting him on Saturday.”

WILLIAM ZEPEDA

“I’m feeling incredibly motivated for this fight. My preparation has been intense and focused, and I’ve left no stone unturned to get myself in the best shape possible. I know my opponent is no walk in the park – he’s tough and experienced, and I respect that. But we’ve crafted a strong, smart strategy for Saturday, and I’m ready to execute it.”

"Saturday night is shaping up to be a fantastic event. We have an amazing card full of talented, experienced fighters, each bringing something special to the ring. I’m looking forward to putting on a show and delivering an unforgettable performance. My goal is to offer the people of Saudi Arabia a night of boxing they’ll remember, with all the passion, skill, and excitement this sport has to offer.”

TEVIN FARMER

“Saturday night is going to be a show that nobody will want to miss. They say that William Zepeda is the best in the 135 pound division, which I agree, but you can’t be a top dog unless you beat the top dog. Saturday night he’ll have his hands full with Tevin Farmer.”

“I’ve been on social media and I’ve seen Golden Boy and Eddie Hearn promoting this 5v5 with Zepeda vs Shakur, but I feel like that’s crazy when [Zepeda] has a guy like Tevin Former in front of him. You never put the cart before the horse, and I think it’s a bad move because once I beat [Zepeda] Saturday night I don’t know who they’re going to have for Shakur. November 16, tune in. Your boy Tevin Farmer is back. I’m going to show you all how the USA does it.”

WBO minnimumweight champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (10-0, 7 KOs) defends his title against Thammanoon “Knockout CP Freshmart” Niyomtrong (25-0, 9 KOs) and Mexico’s Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs) will squaure off against Botirzhon Akhmedov in opening the card.

OSCAR COLLAZO

“I’m ready for Saturday. I’ve been waiting for a challenge like this since I started my career. I welcome every challenge that is put in front of me, but this one in particular, because it’s historic.”

“Since 1999, the people of Puerto Rico haven't had a champion like this. The last one was Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad. I want to make history. I want to get this for my people, for my family, to make Puerto Rico proud.”

“I feel honored to be representing my land of Puerto Rico in Noche Latina. I’m going to make them proud. It’ll be a memorable night.”

OSCAR DUARTE

“Batyr [Akhmedov] is a great fighter, I’m not going to take that away from him. I respect him. But I’m also a very good fighter and I had a great camp in California. I’m going to get the win on Saturday night. I’m going to leave my heart in the ring.”

“I’m proud to be representing Mexico in this amazing display of Latino boxing. I’m fighting for my people on Saturday night.”

BATYR AKHMEDOV

“I have a very strong opponent and I believe it should be a very good fight. I expect this fight will be the fight of the night and I want to invite my Muslim brothers to come to this fight and support me.