WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Championship: April 19th in Bucharest, Romania.

About 100 media members (including 12 TV cameras) were able to squeeze into a packed Marriot Hotel Bucharest ballroom this afternoon for the final press conference before Saturday’s event. Tickets are virtually sold out of the 6,100 seat facility.

Final Press Conference Quotes

Adrian Diaconu, # 1 WBC Light Heavweight Contender:

“Thank you all for being here and supporting this event. This is a homecoming for me. As you may know, my father is ill with cancer. The opportunity to fight here in my home country is emotional for me already but the opportunity for him to be there in person to watch me perform is tremendous encouragement for me to do and be at my best. I have been back now for a month so I’m really ready for this fight.

“I have a lot respect for my opponent Chris Henry. Personally, he’s a very likable guy. He has the confidence and courage to take this step up in his career and fight me. Something Chad Dawson wouldn’t do.

“I have too much skill and maturity over Henry that he can’t hang with me for long. I’m in my prime and with the home crowd fans behind me I couldn’t imagine Henry getting close. Oh, he’ll fight hard for as long as he’s in there but I’m very, very focused. Thank you”

Chris Henry, #3 WBC Light Heavyweight Contender:

“I wish to thank the fight fans here in Bucharest for really treating me well. I arrived here with my team early to getting acclimated to the time change and now I’m simply ready to fight.

“This is a lifetime opportunity for me and I will take advantage of it Saturday night. I realize Diaconu is an excellent fighter, maybe the next best in the division after myself. I also thank him and his team for this opportunity. But I think he has clearly underestimated my skill and desire. I also want to thank Mauricio Sulaiman and WBC for belief in my credibility and this great medal.”

Ronnie Shields, Trainer for Chris Henry:

“I’ve been doing this for a long time, my whole life. Chris Henry will be stepping out of the ring with the belt Saturday night. He’s ready. He’s percolating. He trained at his peak both mentally and physically and now he just needs to implement the game plan.  Now, Diaconu can fight. But his biggest win was almost a year ago against Rico Hoye, who isn’t special.

Chad Dawson didn’t want to fight us either. We’ll remember these things when Chris is driving the bus.”

Chris Ganescu, Romanian Fight Promoter:

“I believe we are totally sold out. Almost 7,000 tickets sold in 2 weeks. This is obviously a big event in Romania and I hope it leads to more big fights and more youngsters turning to boxing in the near future. Bucharest is the capitol city in Romania and it deserves events of this magnitude. The business community really turned out for this fight and I thank them. I appreciate both Adrian and Chris for their professionalism and helping the promotion.”