World title challengers Jose Ramirez and Amir Imam, and undefeated Irish featherweight sensation Michael Conlan, worked out for the media in advance of a special St. Patrick’s Day world title extravaganza, Saturday, March 17, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Ramirez and Imam will challenge for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Lightweight title, while Conlan (5-0, 4 KOs), a 2016 Olympian, will face David Berna in an eight-round special attraction.
The Ramirez-Imam fight will mark the 2,000th world title bout in the WBC’s 55-year history.
Ramirez-Imam, Conlan-Bernard, the interim WBC Light Heavyweight world title bout between Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk and Medhi Amar will be televised live and exclusively at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN and stream live on the ESPN App beginning at 5:30.
The undercard will also include the returns of Puerto Rican stars Felix Verdejo, Christopher Diaz, and Jose Pedraza in separate bouts.
This is what some of the fighters had to say.
Amir Imam
“I was strong mentally before, but after taking that loss {to Adrian Granados}, I took a look at what I was doing. Now, I am going to take that title.”
“I don’t like nothing about him. I don’t care who he is. I just want to go in there and win the fight. Idon't care about none of that. I’m not gonna like the guy I’m fighting.”
“I’ve been doing this since I was 12. I appreciate what Mauricio Sulaiman is doing for me, letting me represent the WBC. I look forward to getting the ‘W’ and taking that belt.”
Medhi Amar
“I’d rather be the underdog. I have less pressure. The pressure is on his shoulders. I have everything to win.”
“I know he is a good all-around fighter. I’m not impressed by anything in anyone, but I know he’s a great, quality opponent.”
“I’m going to give the fans a great fight. I would rather die in the ring than let the opportunity pass.”
Jose Pedraza
"I'm very happy for making my debut with Top Rank this Saturday. I'm motivated and with a high level of confidence"
"This Saturday everyone will see the Pedraza from before. That is a very skilfull and versatile fighter that practices the art of boxing."
Christopher Diaz
"I work hard for all this. I love fighting at Madison Square Garden. I feel right at home and now even more that I will be fighting on the same card with my friends Felix Verdejo and Jose Pedraza. We are going to put on a great show for the fans."
"I'm the show stealer. I'm going to steal the show again. I'm doing this for my country, and for my family. I want to be the best fighter in the division. I want to be a world champion."