Jermall Charlo: I Still Have Time To Make Knockout Of The Year

BROOKLYN (December 5, 2019) - WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo and highly rated contender Dennis Hogan went face to face Thursday at a final press conference to preview their world title showdown taking place this Saturday, December 7 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The final press conference also featured middleweight star Chris Eubank Jr. and top contender Matt Korobov, who battle for the Interim WBA Middleweight Title in the co-main event, and former champions Marlon Tapales and Ryosuke Iwasa, who square off for the Interim IBF Super Bantamweight Title in the televised opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on-sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and barclayscenter.com. Tickets also can be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from the Grand Ballroom at the Tillary Hotel Brooklyn:

JERMALL CHARLO

"I'm ready and I'm back like never before. I have a tough opponent in Dennis Hogan who's real confident and he's bringing Ireland and Australia with him. It's going to be a show. If he can't take my shot, I'm going to hit him flush and put him out.

"I believe I have something to deliver that Hogan has never seen before. I'm back to my most explosive days in boxing. I feel great about my training and the way I prepared myself to get this victory. I think it's going to be tougher than he thinks it is.

"My daughter's birth has given me even more motivation to knock this guy out and when you come to Brooklyn, you're coming to my house. There's nothing he can do and nothing he can say. They all say the same thing until they have to get in there with me.

"If Hogan says he's more powerful at middleweight, than he's going to come to fight and stay in the pocket. If he comes to box, I'll come to fight, and if he comes to fight I'll be able to box him. Regardless, we're going to make adjustments in the fight.

"I'm going to come with a vicious attack. If he can hold it, then I'm going to try again later in the night. However the game plan plays out, I'm going to stop him.

"Dennis Hogan, I'll see you Saturday night. We're going to give everyone a great night of boxing. I'm going to deliver something explosive and give Hogan a nice little Christmas gift.

"The birth of my daughter has given me a whole new level of motivation, but I've always been fighting for my family. It's just a new blessing and taking the inspiration to another level.

"I still have time to make Knockout of the Year, so hopefully this guy's power is what he thinks it is and he comes to fight. I'm ready to shut him down.

"When you're the champ, people are coming for you. When people know you're great, they want to challenge you. I'm okay with that. I was on that road and now I'm here. In due time, you will see me get all of the biggest fights.

"I love Brooklyn and the energy I get from the crowd. It reminds me of Houston because the food is good and all my fans and family are here. I love Brooklyn."

DENNIS HOGAN

"I just want to thank my team and Jermall's team and everyone for making this fight and giving me this opportunity. It's been a quick four weeks since our first press conference and I've gone to a whole new level of what I can accomplish and achieve in my training. I've left no stone unturned and I can't wait to get out there on Saturday night and make my dreams come true

"I've always said that when you have a great atmosphere in the arena, it's like a third guy in the ring. It gets me motivated and it's always been a big thing for me. I'm going to feel like I'm fighting in front of my home crowd Saturday night.

"Every opponent that I've had thinks they're going to knock me out. It's not about how hard you throw a punch, it's about how hard can you land a punch and that's the difficulty people have with me. That's one of my best attributes. When I land clean, they tend to realize I mean business and don't want to come forward. I feel 20% more powerful and he's going to feel my punches.

"We're both professional athletes and we're going to give the fans a great fight. One of us is going to walk away with the WBC belt and I truly believe it will be me.

"You're going to see something explosive Saturday night. It's two fighters who truly believe they're going to win. That makes for brilliant viewing and I'm excited to deliver that to the public.

"I like fighting against taller fighters. It gives me more target and more opportunity to be elusive and show variations. I'm going to use my size to my advantage. You don't really know what you're up against with me until you're actually in there.

"After the last press conference, I expected him to react and crack once I spoke, so I'm not surprised with what he said. It doesn't matter either way, the talking has nothing to do with what goes on in the ring. He shouldn't care what I have to say if he truly thinks that he's going to win the fight. I think that's a good sign for me, but either way I'm prepared for what happens in the ring.

"I've got an extra snap on my punches right now. The power is there, I'm strong, I'm not having to dehydrate as much and that's going to make all the difference. I'm really excited. We built some extra muscle in certain areas for this fight and I feel a lot stronger because of that. My coach is brilliant at spotting weaknesses in opponents. Charlo doesn't have many weaknesses but there are things that I can capitalize on with the right game plan. Even Muhammad Ali had these areas, so everybody has them and it's about capitalizing on them."

CHRIS EUBANK JR.

"My pro debut here in the U.S. has been a long time coming. It's been a dream of mine to come out here and perform for you guys. Korobov is talking about decisions, but he will be stopped before the 12th round.

"I'm going to come for all the middleweight belts after this fight. I want all the big names. I'm 30-years-old and in my prime right now. Korobov is a great introductory fight for me in the U.S., then after that, it's open season.

"There's going to be a new kingpin in town after Saturday night. I've been fighting guys 20 pounds heavier than me. Now you put me in with guys my own weight, it's going to be devastating.

"I'm at middleweight, so I'm the best in the division. Korobov is a great fighter and I respect him. He's done a lot in the sport, but this is my time. I've worked too hard to come out here and not go through him.

"I've had a lot of big fights in the U.K., but now is the perfect time to introduce myself to the American public. Korobov is just standing in my way.

"I've been dreaming about this moment since I was a kid and started boxing. To finally be here after all this time is a great feeling. Especially to be able to perform here in New York. So many great champions were born here and fought here. I haven't come all this way to have a flat performance. I'm going to dominate this fight.

"There were a lot of good opportunities and money to be made at super middleweight so I did what I had to do. Now I'm in a position where there are great middleweight fights in the states so I can be back to my natural weight and takeover.

"I'm not playing around. I'm not here to fight nobodies and coast. I want the big fights and the toughest guys out here so everyone knows I'm the man. Korobov fits that bill as a world class opponent."

MATT KOROBOV

"I'm so glad to be here in Brooklyn one year after I fought here against Charlo. I'm so prepared and ready to give everyone a good show and leave the fans happy. I'm going to give the fans what they want to see.

"Looking to my future, this is a really important fight. What's happened in this past is in the past. I've prepared for this fight really well and I'll be ready Saturday night to win this title.

"Everybody works hard in this sport and goes through things inside and outside of the ring. It's our job to be prepared. Whatever it takes to win this fight, I'm ready. He's overlooking me and it's going to be his mistake.

"We've done our research on Eubank. I've only watched a little but my team knows him very well. We've known him for a long time and known he's a great fighter, just like his father.

"I'm glad that Eubank accepted the fight against me. It's another opportunity for me to fight the best in the division and prove that I'm right up there and as good as anyone at middleweight.

"I just have to go in there Saturday night and take this belt home. Any way that I can with any strategy that works best. Whatever it takes, I will win this fight.

"I loved fighting at Barclays Center and it was a great experience for me last year. I think having that experience will definitely help me in this fight. There are a lot of Russians in Brooklyn and I'm excited for them to come out and support me.

"I'm really happy to be back here, especially on the undercard to Jermall Charlo. It makes sense for us because if we both go in and take care of business, we can make the rematch happen easily."