WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (pictured) and his unbeaten mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj previewed their matchup during a virtual press conference on Thursday. Their twelve-round bout will take place on TNT and DAZN on Saturday, October 17th at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, presented by Premier Boxing Champions. Here is what the fighters had to say on Thursday:

 

SEBASTIAN FUNDORA

 

“We’ve been working hard up in the mountains since our last fight and just getting ready for the next one. I’m ready to put on another show in Las Vegas.

 

“I’ve been getting smarter and wiser. Everything is lining up. The fights are showing the results of everything we’re doing in camp.

 

“Hadribeaj is undefeated, he’s the mandatory and he’s hungry to win. But it’s nothing we’re unfamiliar with.

 

“We’re always in the gym 24/7. It’s always working time. The second you step off the gas, that’s when you’re gonna start feeling it.  

 

“Expect the best from Fundora as always. Just like we always do. ‘The Towering Inferno’ is coming to burn down Las Vegas once again.

 

“We’re only focused on this fight. We know that we can’t overlook anyone. We focus on the work and take it one fight at a time.

 

“Hadribeaj still has that mechanism that he only knows how to win. He’s protecting that 0. But I’ve taken 0’s before. I’m on a three-fight knockout streak and we intend to keep that going.”

 

ERMAL HADRIBEAJ

 

“They call me the Albanian Sniper. I’m new to these big fights, but I’ve worked my way to this position. I’m feeling great. We’re getting ready for war. Fundora is a warrior as well and he likes blood. I can’t wait.

 

“This fight means that I can become the first Albanian world champion. That’s really important to me and my team.

 

“Everyone thinks to go to the body against his height. But that’s what everyone has tried. It’s not about bringing something new, it’s about working on specific things that will work. It will be a struggle for both of us. It’s gonna be a hard fight for each of us.

 

“The way that I came to this moment will help me when the fight finally starts. I got here because I worked for it. I went step by step. The pressure is already gone by now.

 

“This fight means a lot to me. There are a lot of fighters who want to be in my position. So I’m very grateful. Now it’s not a dream anymore, I’m living it. I’ve been stepping in silence. I’ve just kept working to make it to this point.

 

“I’m very excited to fight someone like Fundora who is a great guy. I actually met him three years ago, and now here we are fighting for the title.”