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WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Badou Jack and former IBF titleholder Lucian Bute hosted a media roundtable recently to discuss their championship showdown taking place Saturday, April 30 from the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.
The bout will be broadcast live on Showtime Championship Boxing at at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James DeGale defending his title against top contender and Mexican brawler Rogelio Medina.
The fighters were joined by Mayweather Promotions’ Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe and Interbox’s Pierre Duc as they spoke to the media about the exciting doubleheader taking place in the nation’s capital.
Below is what the participants had to say Friday:
BADOU JACK
“I’ll be ready for this fight. Bute is a very tough opponent. I have to bring my ’A’ game to win. Much respect to him, but he’s not leaving with my belt. Absolutely not. You can expect a very tough fight.
“Bute is a much, much tougher opponent that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., but I’m ready for him.
“Bute’s fight against DeGale was one of the best fights last year. That’s the only reason he got this shot. He lost, but he looked good. It was a great fight. April 30 will be another great fight. And another loss for Bute.”
LUCIAN BUTE
“This is a great opportunity for me to fight again for a title. I feel good, I started camp six weeks ago. Most importantly, I’m very healthy. Psychologically, I’m looking forward to becoming a world champion on April 30.
“I respect Badou Jack. He is a great champion, a great fighter, but on April 30, I will become a world champion again. I’m looking forward to it.
“I will be the new champion. I am very confident. I expect it to be a very tough fight, but I am coming here to win.
“I have a new team. They are changing some things in my work. My confidence is 100 percent. I’m working every day very tough and I am confident that everything will be great for April 30.”
FLOYD MAYWEATHER, President of Mayweather Promotions
“This fight is about the best facing the best. I’ve seen Bute fight numerous times and he’s a very exciting and explosive fighter. Every time he goes out there and performs he gives 100 percent.
“Mayweather Promotions is about giving people the best and most exciting fights.
“I commend Badou Jack for the way that he carries himself. He is a true gentlemen and that is what this sport is all about. He’s going to continue to make a name for himself in this sport.”
PIERRE DUC, VP of Interbox
"We’re very thrilled about this fight. For those of you who have not been exposed to Lucian Bute before, he’s a great fighter. He’s been working extremely hard over the course of the last 6-12 months getting ready for a moment like this.
“Bute has a very long history of fighting great fights and championship wars. Lucian will be ready for this.
“Training camp is going astonishingly well. Lucian is usually more of a gentleman, so he will say he wants to do the best that he can, but I’m telling you that Lucian is going to be walking away with this belt. It’s going to be a fantastic and very exciting evening. Lucian will pull the upset on April 30.”
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