CHAD DAWSON, Former World Champion
“We have a great game plan. I don’t see Bernard getting past it.
“I am excited for Saturday night. I have been waiting for this. I am ready to show the world I am still ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson.
“I don’t think this [Hopkins] is more of a challenge than Pascal. Pascal fell into Bernard Hopkins’ game plan. He fell right into it. Everyone knows Pascal is a four-round fighter. I was looking for a knockout victory against Pascal. He didn’t really beat me. I beat myself.
“Pascal is definitely a fight I want after this one. I want to avenge that loss. I want to be the undisputed light heavyweight champion when it is all said and done.
“I don’t want to give too much [of my game plan] away. I need to stay busy and not let Hopkins do what he does when he goes in with the razzle dazzle moves.
“I want to show I have a stiff jab. I want to break Hopkins down. I am going to be smart. I want to be a master boxer. It is about going out and showing your skills.
“I am fortunate to be back with trainer John Scully. He has corrected anything going on with me in my past fights. He knows me better than any trainer. I have worked with him the longest.
“I can turn it on when I want to and that is something John Scully brings out of me.
“This is my time to shine. Scully is going to make a difference. The last two or three fights, I haven’t truly been myself. I know I put the work in. I am at my best when Scully is with me.
“Winky Wright keeps telling me that I earned this spot. He says, ‘You’re not here because Bernard is looking for an easy fight. You’re here because you earned this.
“It is a great feeling to be in the spotlight and have the opportunity to fight at STAPLES Center on pay-per-view in front of the world.
“This is exciting. I am going to be in the same arena where Kobe plays. This is what every fighter dreams of. I am blessed to be in this position and I am happy to be here.
“I have always been quiet. I have four brothers and they are all quiet. I don’t brag. No matter what fortune or fame comes my way. I will always be humble. People always tell me to talk trash. If I do that, then I am stepping out of my character.
“I am in great shape. I had a great training camp. I had great sparring partners. I am ready.
“I will be a problem for Bernard and I think he knows that.”
GARY SHAW, President and CEO of Gary Shaw Productions
“We have been chasing Hopkins for a solid three years. Saturday night, Chad will get his wish and Bernard won’t.”
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“Believe It Or Not!: Hopkins vs. Dawson” is a 12-round bout for Hopkins’ WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship Titles taking place on Saturday, Oct. 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. In addition to this championship main event showdown, the televised pay-per-view undercard will also feature Antonio DeMarco vs. Jorge Linares in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Title, Kendall Holt vs. Danny Garcia in 12-round bout for the vacant NABO Junior Welterweight Title and Paulie Malignaggi vs. Orlando Lora in a 10-round welterweight bout. DeMarco vs. Linares is presented in association with Teiken Promotions.
Tickets for Hopkins vs. Dawson, priced at $300, $150, $75 and $25, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at www.staplescenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com or via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800)745-3000. Tickets are also available at STAPLES Center box office.
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