[Anticipation is already at an incredible high for this intriguing heavyweight war.] It's the most anticipated fight in the heavyweight division this year, ... I just did an HBO broadcast in Chicago and everybody is talking about it. This fight is creating excitement. |
[This dereliction of technique is not easy to explain. Steward suggests that it is actually the result of the aging process, a natural regression. At 24?] I never saw him being successful past 26, ... His style was strictly youth and instinct, based on driving through people. It never allowed for a long career. All youth and aggression, fighting with your head up front. The second you slow down, for whatever reason, you lose it. Because your face, which is 10 inches closer, isn't getting out of the way like when you were young and fast. You just can't get away with it anymore. |
A lot of these kids dream are to put on that jersey and not just here. That is like a dream of anybody. |
Andy is a thoroughbred. … There are a lot of people coming to see his debut. |
Andy is performing very well in training and his punches are very sharp during sparring. A boxer's pro debut is very important so we are focused on the job. |
For pure passion and dedication to boxing, you couldn't beat Wright. Brad wasn't a politician, but he worked so, so hard. In all my years, I have never seen anyone in boxing work as hard. This has hurt him a lot. |
He thinks he'll overpower this guy, but believe me, that is not going to happen. Peter is going in with an experienced big man this time, and he's going to realize it's a big man because of the way we're going to control him. This is a very experienced man who is focused. Peter is not going to just walk through him like he did these other guys. |
He was a pioneer in a lot of ways. His punching power for his size was phenomenal. |
He'd lean over and whisper to me that this is never going to leave Detroit. He made me promise. |
I don't see anyone on the horizon, even in the amateurs, that's going to beat him. He can hold the title until he retires. |
I never saw him being successful past 26. His style was strictly youth and instinct, based on driving through people. It never allowed for a long career. All youth and aggression, fighting with your head up front. The second you slow down, for whatever reason, you lose it. Because your face, which is 10 inches closer, isn't getting out of the way like when you were young and fast. You just can't get away with it anymore. |
I personally don't think the fight is going to go 2 rounds. I think he's going to knock him out within 2 rounds. |
I really appreciate the fact that people have gotten together in the city of Detroit and have really supported me in this, more than I expected. People all over the world. |
I said two years ago that the European fighters and the Africans would take control because — I hate to say it — their amateur system is better than our American system. They're benefiting from that good foundation, and then they're spending more time staying and training over here and getting used to a variety of styles that they don't see in Europe. They're also developing sort of a gangster mentality, whereas before their mental makeup was a little more delicate. |
I wish the fight was last week. He's that prepared. I'm more confident than when Lennox Lewis fought Mike Tyson. |