Daniel Dubois is a man on a mission but Ebenezer Tetteh warns him he's better than Lartey
Man on a mission Daniel Dubois and boxing's First Lady Nicola Adams will be lighting up London on Friday (September 27th) when both are in big fight action at the Royal Albert Hall, live on BT Sport.
The vacant Commonwealth heavyweight championship will be on the line when Dubois (12-0, 11KOs) faces Ghanaian Ebenezer Tetteh (19-0, 16KOs).
Adams (5-0, 3KOs) makes the first defence of her WBO flyweight title against Mexican challenger Maria Salinas (21-7-3, 7KOs).
WBO European super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp (16-0, 8KOs) is also in action and defends his title against Dublin’s Declan Geraghty (19-4, 4KOs).
Today, Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren hosted the final press conference ahead of the big night of action at the historic venue.
Here are a selection of quotes from the event:
FRANK WARREN
“Daniel has had a fantastic year and gone from strength to strength. He is the best young heavyweight in the world in my opinion, and that is a burden I have put on him.
“We know he has power, but Daniel can box. He is not just a cumbersome clubber. He is the best young heavyweight I’ve been involved in. He is a special young man.
“As my boxing mentor, the late Ernie Fossey said, ‘If you can’t jab, you can’t fight.’
“Good fighters have great jabs and Daniel has a great jab. It is a big comparison to make at this stage of his career, but Daniel has that Larry Holmes jab. I love seeing fighters who can jab.
“Nicola is our golden girl and I can’t wait for her first fight as a world champion, but this is a hard fight and I hope she comes through.
“Nicola is a legend with two Olympic gold medals. I want to see her come through this and be an active fighter.
“Archie is in title winning habits, an ambitious young man, but he has a tough challenge. It is going to be fireworks and great for the fans.”
DANIEL DUBOIS
“It is my job to come through in style. I haven’t really studied Tetteh. I just want to fight and win again.
“Every challenge brings something different and I get better each time I fight.
“I believe I am world class and it is only a matter of time before I am up there with the big names.
“I am a man on a mission and not going to be stopped. It will be fireworks on Friday and a devastating performance is coming.
“The Larry Holmes compliment is great to have especially from Frank. He has been in the business a long time and knows what he’s talking about.”
EBENEZER TETTEH
“I have watched Daniel v Lartey and Gorman and know what I have to do to beat him on Friday.
“I gave Lartey sparring and I am better than him. I can move and punch.
“I expect to beat Daniel. Lartey gave him a good fight but I will finish Dubois.
“I want to take the title home and be the first Ghanaian Commonwealth heavyweight champion.”
NICOLA ADAMS
“I will be nervous on fight night, but it is good to be back. If I wasn’t nervous it would mean I am underestimating my opponent.
“I have been sparring with Kid Galahad who is really difficult to hit. If I can land on him I can land on anybody.
“Maria will stand in front of me and they are the best to face because they’re there to get hit.
“I have a lot of goals. I want to unify the flyweight division and this is the first step in the right direction.
“It means a lot to box at the Royal Albert Hall where my hero Muhammad Ali did. It is special.”
ARCHIE SHARP
“Declan is a very good fighter and we all know he can box. I will adapt to anyone’s style and whatever he brings I will match.
“I believe I’m a great fighter and they adapt to any style. I have done tests and I am bigger, stronger and quicker than 12 months ago.
“The fight will be how I want to fight and I have an answer to it all.
“He has been chinned and that must play on any man’s head. The WBO champion Jamel Herring has been mentioned as a future opponent, but I am not overlooking Declan.”
DECLAN GERAGHTY
“I’m here to spoil the party. I am gonna come forward and put the pressure on him.
“Archie is a good boxer, rangy, switches and moves well. I’m not really worried about him because he hasn’t been tested. He beat Lyon Woodstock and Jordan McCorry who I don’t rate at all.
“No ifs or buts, I am becoming WBO European super-featherweight. I’m a crazy Irishman and here to fight.
“If he has overlooked me he is silly. I think it’s down to who has the best boxing IQ.”
Daniel Dubois headlines the bill when he meets Ghana’s Ebenezer Tetteh for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight crown and WBO flyweight champion Nicola Adams defends her title for the first time against experienced Mexican Maria Salinas, live on BT Sport.The card will also feature WBO European super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp who makes his second title defence against Dublin’s Declan Geraghty. Middleweight banger Denzel Bentley, heavyweight Jonathan Palata, lightweight Mohammad Bilal Ali and precocious bantamweight talent Dennis McCann are also in action. Exciting prospects Lewis Edmondson, Eithan James and Sam Noakes all make their professional debuts.
Tickets for the September 27 bill at the Royal Albert Hall are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.royalalberthall.com. Prices £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 Ringside.