NATHANIEL COLLINS WILL challenge for the European featherweight title against Cristobal Lorente on Saturday, topping a bumper card at the Braehead Arena. The fight also represents a final eliminator for a shot at the WBC world title.
Today the fighters gathered at the Glasgow Science Centre to exchange their final words and below are a selection of key quotes from this media event.
Nathaniel Collins
“I feel amazing, as always, nothing has really changed from the rest of my fights and preparations. I am always looking to make a statement, every time I go out so, yeah, Saturday is no different.
“For this fight all I have seen is people saying Nathaniel is challenging for the European title, European is the next step. Not once in this camp have I thought about the European title at all. All I have thought about is that it is a world title eliminator.
“He is obviously good to be European champion. He is awkward, but it doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t matter what he brings because I’m going to bring what I bring.
“From what I gather he is saying he is a more intelligent or tactical fighter. I don’t believe that and I don’t think he believes that. I read an article he or his coach did saying they think I am tactical and intelligent and so forth, so he will need to be at his best. That is what they are saying.
“But obviously we are at the press conference so you need to say something.
“I am going to make a big statement to the rest of the world after Saturday night, the same way I did last time. My name is going to be up in lights again.”
Cristobal Lorente
“Simple and easy, I will do my best in the ring on Saturday night. Do my best to bring out the work I do at the gym. I have been waiting for this moment of my life and for my career and this is my moment to shine.
“I am considered a tactical fighter. I have a lot of skills to stay good in every moment of the fight. If they are going to work, I will beat this work inside the ring. If they fight an intelligent fight, I am more intelligent than him. I will do an intelligent fight.
“Really I think they have made a mistake with this opponent and I will show him on Saturday night in the ring.”
