This Saturday, October 24th, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Showtime will broadcast three fights. One of themwill see Malik “Iceman” Hawkins dueling knockout artist Subriel Matías in a ten-round junior welterweight showdown to kick off the televised action. Hawkins is 18-0 out of Baltimore. He holds quality wons over Raymond Serrano, All Rivera and reviously unbeaten Darwin Price. Matias is a 15-1 Puerto Rican coming off a loss to Petros Ananyan. Matias is best known as the last man to face Maxim Dadashev, who died of a brain injury sustained in the Matias bout. Here is what the two combatants had to say at the final press conference:
MALIK HAWKINS
“I’m feeling great heading into this fight. I’ve had a tremendous training camp with a lot of different types of sparring. I’ve sparred with Terence Crawford, Jaron Ennis, Jamel Herring and Maurice Hooker. Now I know that come Saturday I’m prepared for any type of look Matias is willing to bring.
“Training during the pandemic didn’t really affect me physically, just mentally, because I was set to fight in the summer. Then we had to readjust, but you can’t cry over spilled milk.
“We definitely looked at Matias’ last fight. Everyone looked at his record before that fight, but what we saw is that if you actually fight him back, he’s more of a B or C class fighter. I think that’s the type of fighter he is.
“His team is using the excuse that he didn’t take his last opponent seriously. With the way I train, it doesn’t matter if my opponent is 0-20. I’m always going to come into the fight at my very best.
“One thing I know is that he’s going to try to bully me, but that’s what I’ve always done. I’m not going to sit there and let him beat me at my own game.
“I don’t really pay attention to someone’s knockout ratio. Those knockouts didn’t come against anyone who fights like me. I’m just looking at this like an opportunity to get closer to my world title shot.”
SUBRIEL MATIAS
“I have only myself to blame for losing my last fight. In boxing everyone pays the consequences and I paid the last time considering my camp wasn’t the best one. I have made the adjustments I needed to make. I’m motivated to prove everyone wrong. I’m ready for this fight physically and mentally.
“Excuses are for losers. I have nothing to say about the last fight except my opponent got the better of me. Come Saturday, you will see the difference.
“My record speaks for itself with 15 knockouts, so I don’t have to change as a fighter. I know who I am as a fighter.
“Malik says the fight won’t go the distance. And I agree with that prediction.”
