BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY’S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT
Pat Brown and Vasil Ducar faced off for the first time this week at today’s press conference ahead of their show down in a packed out Planet Ice, Altrincham on Friday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
The Sale-born Cruiserweight steps up to take on a battle-hardened Ducar in his sixth professional bout for the IBF Intercontinental and WBA International three miles down the road from his hometown.
William Crolla faces Glenn Byrne, who steps in as a last minute replacement against the Mancunian. Josh Blenkiron and Robbie Colman go head-to-head in a rematch after a close fight in January.
5-0 Alfie Middlemiss opens the DAZN broadcast and makes his debut as a Matchroom fighter against Lewis Morris.
Welsh twins Ioan and Garan Croft also step through the ropes for the first time as part of the Matchroom roster and Jordan Thompson returns to the ring in a Heavyweight clash.
Here are some selected quotes from Wednesday’s Press Conference – which you can watch back in full in the video player below.
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MATCHROOM BOXING CEO, FRANK SMITH
“I remember when Pat Brown came to our office and he sat down and said, ‘I just love tear-ups’. I said, ‘right, that’s a man after my own heart’. I’m not always into the tactical side of it, and Pat Brown has delivered in every fight exactly what he said he’d do. We’ve had some of our best nights, I’ve been lucky enough to be in boxing for 16, 17 year, we’ve had some of our best nights in Manchester – in the arenas up here and the venues up here.
“Pat delivers excitement inside and outside of the ring. He has a huge fanbase and can go to the top of this sport. Vasil Ducar is obviously another step up, and the right type of step he needs right now. We honestly believe Pat can become undisputed Cruiserweight Champion of the World and then do the same thing at Heavyweight. Not putting too much pressure on him, I’m sure he does it himself. The journey is only just getting started.
“I believe he will be fighting for World titles (in the next 12 months). For sure. He’s such a good talent. He’s proving it every time he steps in the ring. Of course, he needs to develop in the fights with the right opponents at the right times but he’s ready, he’s ready to go. He can be a superstar of this sport and trust me, he will be.”
PAT BROWN
“All the memories come flooding back. This is where it started. I remember everyone was there cheering. If you want to be the best and you want to make it to the top, the pressure comes with it, and I believe the way I’ve started my career – he’s definitely a step up. Every fight has been a step up for me. Every single record is a positive record.
“I want to be in good fights to see what I’m about. I understand people get excited and they want to fast-track me. I’ve not gone past four rounds yet. I need to learn about being in deep waters and believe the man to my left [Vasil Ducar] will do that. It’s going to be a tough fight, and I know what I’m in for. I definitely do want the rounds because when you get to the top you need to have that experience – it’s so important. There comes a point where power can only take you so far. Everyone is going on about how I’m this wrecking ball, but I do enjoy showing the technical side of things. I don’t really feel anything until I’m walking to the ring. Something just ignites in me. The penny just drops. As soon as I let ‘em go, if I hurt them, I’m on them like a rash.”
VASIL DUCAR
“I think he [Pat] is in a great place. He’s a good fighter. He’s strong, aggressive, I must be ready from the first round. When we want to make a good fight, we need a good opponent. I think we can go together to make a good fight. Inside me there is the spirit of a warrior. I think the deep waters can be from the first round because when both sides want to go to the deep waters, we can go there from the first round. We can start from the first seconds. We will see. Everybody can have a plan until the first punch. We will see what the situation is. The best fighters react to the situations they find themselves in.”
WILLIAM CROLLA
“There’s a massive chip on my shoulder because, I’m a winner. There’s nothing worse than losing. When I got beaten, Anthony [Crolla] said it to me, you remember the feeling. People were waiting for me to lose. It spurs you on. One minute I’m being spoken about as the next prospect coming through and the next big thing, then all of a sudden, I’m fighting for my career in December in London on a Wednesday night. I wanted to thank Frank, the team and Eddie. They didn’t have to get me out in London then. I feel like I owe them an electric performance on Friday night, and that’s exactly what they’re going to get. It’s a performance I need to get people talking about me again, and to silence all the haters.
“On paper it’s a 50/50. Glenn is an Irish prospect coming up, I’m an English prospect coming up. It’s a great fight, especially made on a week’s notice. I just believe I’m a better fighter in all departments; I think that will show on Friday night. The English Title is vacant; I’d love that towards the end of the year. I just want to be in good fights. That’s all I want. A big win on Friday night opens a lot of doors for me.”
JOSH BLENKIRON
“I was a little bit gutted when my opponent pulled out. We had trained for Joe but obviously when I got told it was Robbie, I just thought it’s going to be another war. I’m ready to go, trained hard, stayed in camp and I’m ready to go again and carry it on from round 11. I just hope Robbie’s got a new gum shield – he spat it out and few times last time. No disrespect. It was a good fight. It will be wider this time. He’s going to come to win. I’m there to win. I’m just going to let my hands go and let my hands do the talking and just leave it in there. I’m ready, he says he’s ready – let’s go.”
ROBBIE COLMAN
“You don’t need to ask me twice; I was absolutely buzzing for the opportunity. I thought it would have been later in the year, but it’s come quicker. I’m ready for it. I’ve kept myself ready after the first fight. I was straight back in the gym locked in. I’ve got the opportunity so I’m here now. I just think I was over eager wanting to win too badly. Sometimes when you want to win too bad your performance goes off.
“No disrespect to Josh, he’s a good fighter. We both put a good show on. There were a few adjustments we looked back on, and we’ve picked them up in the gym. Now I’m back and we’ve got to put them right. I’m a winner and I want to win on Friday night, I cannot lose. I feel like we’re both exciting fighters. I’ll always bring work rate, I’m always fit, I’m always ready, I’m always in the gym keeping my shape right. On Friday, I’ll bring it.”
ALFIE MIDDLEMISS
“It means the world to me to sign for Matchroom. This is a massive opportunity for me and now I can build momentum through this year. The gym is thriving at the moment, some big characters in the gym, even though I get unbelievable stick off Dave Allen. I’m learning all the time and improving as a fighter. I believe you’re going to see that on Friday. It’s a good step up in opponent. As I keep stepping up those levels I’m going to show the best of my ability. I’m sparring top operators in the gym and I’m looking great. I’m feeling amazing. You’re going to see the best of me as we keep stepping up with these opponents.
“I’m excited to showcase what I can do, and I believe I’m going to get a stoppage on Friday night. I’ve got a great engine, as I keep increasing the rounds, you’re going to see the best of me. I can adapt to each fighter and I’m looking to put on a showcase performance to show the best I can do.”
GARAN CROFT
“I think once you get here, you feel real excitement. Fight week has started, and I just can’t wait to show people what I can do and what he [Ioan Croft] can do. I’m looking forward to it. It’s good to be doing it together as well. Our boxing journey started together, and we’ve been across the world together. We do spar together, not so much anymore. There’s been a few bust-ups in the kitchen back home when we were kids. It’s pretty controlled now. It’s good rounds actually. It’s good healthy competition between us, whether that’s inside the gym or running and track – any sort of training. We’re always competing against each other. I’ll definitely be going for a finish at some point. I’m not sure what round. I just want to look good doing it as well.”
JORDAN THOMPSON
“After the fight in Florida, Frank and Eddie came back and said, ‘unlucky, you did a good job, we’re going to keep you active, we’re going to get you back out and get you to a bigger fight’. Eyes locked in on our kid over there, Friday night. We’re going to go out there, do the job and we’re going to look good doing it. Then let’s see what comes after. I’m locked in and I’m excited to be back in Manchester. I don’t know if you can hear but I am from Manchester, born and bred, I am a northerner – I’ve been down south for a bit of a long time now. I’ve stopped drinking coffee and I’m back on my northern vibe, now you’re going to see a true northerner doing what I do best. Getting back in there and just putting on a show. Explosive, relentless, unapologetic. I can’t wait; it’s going to be exciting. I’m looking forward to getting some more belts. The IBF European Cruiserweight belt is collecting a bit of dust. I’m looking to add some to the collection. I’ve got the best team behind me to do that. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can pick up.
“It’s reassuring now being up at Heavyweight, being at my natural weight and just being able to go out there and do what I do. Not second guessing myself and just being able to go out there and express myself. It’s a nice feeling. It will be artistic, but it will be violent.”
IOAN CROFT
“Camp has been brilliant. It’s just about taking the week in. We’ve worked hard enough in the gym so there’s no reason on Friday night why both of us can’t put on the best performances of our pro careers so far. That’s what we’re looking to do. It’s been brilliant working with Anthony Crolla. We’re really enjoying it in the gym, and you’ve got William [Crolla] on here Friday night as well. There’s a great buzz in the gym between the three of us. Ant has got so much knowledge to pass on. There’s no better place for us to be. I just want to put on my best performance, and everything will follow suit.”
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