The fighters involved in Showtime’s June 2 quadruple header are in the final stages of their training camps. Antonio Taver revealed some recent stamina problems from cutting weight and what he’s done to correct them. Lateef Kayode believes he’s liable to get “robbed if it goes to decision and is focused on becoming the first man to KO Tarver. Peter Quillin had some choice one-liners for his opponent Winky Wright, who’s making a comeback at 40 years old after three years out of the sport. The sleeper fight of the night could very well be Austin Trout 154 pound matchup with Delvin Rodriguez. And opening the card are bantamweights Vusi Malinga and Leo Santa Cruz vying for the vacant IBF title.
“Four Warned” airs live on Showtime June 2 at 9 p.m. ET.
Antonio Tarver
I changed things up starting with my last fight against Danny Green. I ran when I needed to run and I got into condition. I didn’t overdo it and over-train like I normally had to do in order to make weight. I had to kill myself to get down in the past and we’re not doing that now. We’re taking our time, working in the gym and working on strength and conditioning and we’re being consistent.
If we miss a day to get some rest, that’s OK and it’s not the end of the world. As long as I’m eating good, living right and getting my rest, that’s the main thing. We’re not going to beat ourselves up in sparring. If I get fatigued to the point where I’m not as sharp anymore, they’ll pull me out. I’m doing things like the veteran that I am and we’re doing it real smart.
We’re keeping things in perspective. It’s about having my body catch up with my mind, because my mind is there. I’m sharp. The reflexes are still there as well, but the body has to catch up because when I put my mind on it, the mind is already there and I’m dialed in, but the body needs to get the endurance built up. Don’t worry, things are coming along great and we’ll peak on fight night.
I’m working in Tampa with my longtime trainer Jimmy Williams and Buddy McGirt comes down three or four days a week. He’ll also be down the week before we leave for the fight and he knows what we’ve got to work on. Jimmy and Buddy work together great and I think I’ve got the best of both worlds with these guys. Jimmy is a great guy in preparation and I think Buddy is the best trainer in the game between rounds as far as giving the proper instructions and making sure he has his fighter’s attention and focus.
Lateef Kayode
I’ve had a great camp at The Wild Card. I have a great team. We started early, so I’ve been working for a long time. It will be three months by fight time. I’m in the best condition ever. My body can take anything he throws at me. If he wants to trade, I will trade and if he wants to box, I will box. I can go 12 rounds without a problem, but there is no way he will be able to withstand the kind of punishment I will give him unless he plans on running away all night. Either way I am knocking this man out.
If it goes the distance, they might try to rob me, so I am going to put Tarver to sleep before the 12th round. That way I am the judge and the jury.
Winky Wright
Camp is great. We’re ready to fight. I’m ready to kick some butt.
It’s been great training in Tampa, while being home to see my kids. It motivates me even more to have my family around, but I’m glad I went away to Phoenix for a month to get my body used to the intense training again.
Now I’m just fine-tuning and getting ready for June 2. There are a lot of different things I’m doing in camp with my trainer Dan Birmingham, but you have to wait to see it on fight night.
Peter Quillin
The day of the fight will mark the 32-year anniversary of my father leaving Cuba and coming to the United States. He arrived in the United States on June 2, 1980, so I have a stronger reason why this fight means so much to me. I’m living the true American Dream.
Winky keeps saying he is coming to knock Kid Chocolate’s head off. I really want to know who put a battery in this man’s back. Now the fans will expect Winky Wright to keep his word, but I will continue to be the powerhouse that I am. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
This camp has taught me that if I want to perform at the top level, then I have to prepare at the top level. You can expect nothing less from me – only hard work. I’m a fulltime fighter that believes the job can never be done. When it comes to boxing, there’s always room for improvement and ways to get better.
The atmosphere at Wild Card is really supportive. You feel like you are going into the ring with a posse of other professionals right there with you. I’m fortunate to have Freddie Roach and Eric Brown working (with me) six days a week and I’m also blessed to work with Brad Bose who does my condition training three days a week. My brother Chedrick and my father Pedro have been the key to me in this camp with their support and love for me. That’s why I know I’m going to take Winky Wright to Pluto.
Thanks to all my sparring partners for prepping and pushing me. I’m the sharpest I ever been.’
I can’t relate to Winky’s saying he’s excited to be fighting on the same card as Tarver and that ‘it feels good, it makes it easy to have your homeboy on the same card.’ Winky makes it sounds like Tarver is going to help him fight me, but on June 2nd, it’s just me and him. He’ll wish he had Tarver’s help.
Austin Trout
I’m training at Las Cruces PAL Boxing Gym, the same gym I’ve trained at since I was 10-years-old.
Camp has been great. I’m focused. I’m in terrific shape. I’m right on schedule. My weight is good. All I need is for time to go by so I can get in there on June 2nd.
I’ve been running six or seven miles a day and sprinting three or four of those miles. I’ve been sparring 12 rounds with 30 seconds rest with three different guys – Shiju Shabazz, Aie Han and J.C. Candelo.
I want to dedicate this camp to my good friend Lavar Washington, a childhood friend who passed a few days ago.
Delvin Rodriguez
I’ve been training in the Adirondacks for the last four weeks and will stay here until I leave for the fight. This is my first time at this location, up in the mountains, and it’s perfect, with no distractions and great running.
This is my third camp with my trainer (former heavyweight contender) Fernily Feliz and we’ve had an excellent camp. Sparring has been terrific with Sechew Powell and Denis “Mama’s Boy” Douglin.
This is my third fight at 154 and I feel much stronger since moving up from 147. I don’t have to worry about making weight.
Leo Santa Cruz
This is a great opportunity to become a world champion. It will be the toughest fight of my career because I know Malinga will come very well prepared, but am very optimistic that I will win.
It’s been a great camp. I’ve been training for almost two months and have had something like 95 rounds of sparring (with Julian Ramirez, Raymond Chacon and Joseph Diaz). I’m in great shape thanks to Jose Santa Cruz (trainer) and Daniel Garcia (conditioning trainer).
This is a dream come true fore me. I am really looking forward to June 2.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 