His mindset: “He’s probably my most in-shape opponent. Outside of that, we’re going to go in there, do what we’re supposed to do, and keep going up the ladder.”
On accepting the fight: “They said our name about three times, and every single time we said yes. There was an excuse every time, for some odd reason. I’m just happy he finally took it.”
On how it got signed: “None of that came from our side. They said send the contract, we printed it out, we signed it, and we sent it right back. We were ready since day one.”
On Popper bringing up an old football game: “All I can do is laugh. It’s corny to bring up a football game from about fourteen years ago. If I was such a non-factor, there would be no reason for him to keep bringing me up. What Josh Popper thinks about me, that’s the real non-factor.”
On the experience gap: “These are two very new guys in boxing. It’s not one skilled fighter against an athlete. It’s two novice boxers who happen to be professional and undefeated, on a collision course. The experience level is very similar. “I’m not going to sit back and listen to lies. They keep overstating that he has all this amateur experience, and it’s just overstated.”
On his last fight: “That was a tough fight, and I made it tough on myself. But I showed that when I have nothing in the tank, I can dig deep and make it happen.”
On Popper coaching while fighting: “That’s cute. I salute anyone making money in the sport. But all my focus is going toward my own craft. However he splits his focus, that’s on him.”
On carrying his father’s name [Bruce Seldon is a former WBA heavyweight title holder]: “It’s just me getting in that ring. The name has opened certain doors I’m thankful for, but on fight night it does nothing for me. I don’t think about it at all. My dad is in town for every fight, but he’s being a good father. If he was in the building, I wouldn’t have a single camera on me, and he knows that.”
On Popper as an opponent: “Of all the opponents I’ve had so far, he’s probably in the best shape, and probably the most athletic too. But I haven’t seen anything that stands out to me.”
Prediction: “I’m planning on a stoppage. Whatever round I land a good one, it’s over.”
If the night goes the other way: “We don’t believe in losses. We only believe in lessons. This train doesn’t stop. But we don’t think we’re losing.”
JOSH POPPER
His mindset: “This is another fight. The plan is to keep rising through the ranks and better my competition every fight. It’s another day at the office.”
On the so-called excuses: “His manager came up to me after my last fight, put his hand on my shoulder, and said, after Bruce gets another tune-up fight, then we’ll be ready for you. So I’m confused about what excuses he means.”
On how the fight came together: “Somebody asked me about fighting Bruce, and I said yes, that would be an amazing fight for the city. All of a sudden that got turned into me presenting a challenge. We’re here now, and I like to do my talking in the ring.”
On his amateur background: “I learned a lot in the amateurs. I’ve been in the ring with a bunch of different skill levels. I plan on putting that on display. Amateurs, baby, it’s all about experience.”
On his last fight: “He carried me? You’re right. You know what I did? I stuck to my jab and I fought beautifully.”
On running Bredwinners: “It gives me an opportunity to be around boxing more. I’m a coach myself, so I have a coach’s eye, and I break down film. I coach nationally ranked amateurs, top-ranked amateurs in the state, and world champion fighters. That pedigree speaks for itself.”
Man-to-man with Seldon: “I don’t have any beef with you. We’re grown men, this is what we do, and we’ll dap it up after, no love lost. My first amateur opponent became one of my close friends. The thing is, your manager and your coach are the ones who keep talking, and it’s not coming from you.”
The headline line: “We’re going to fight on June 13th. May the best man win, and I’d love to shake your hand after. As far as your team, I’ve got zero respect for your team.”
On the family name across from him: “His dad doesn’t even show up. Why would I be worried about his dad? This is between me and Bruce [Jr.].”
Prediction: “I don’t like to make predictions. I just know I’m getting my hand raised at the end of the fight. However that happens, that’s what’s going to happen.”
If the night goes the other way: “I’m not going to lose. But hypothetically, back to the drawing board. There’s no sweet answer for that one.”
