Photos: Mike Lee, Chris Traietti - Go Face To Face in Chicago

Chicago, IL - This afternoon at the Trump International Hotel and Towers, Chicago’s Undefeated Light Heavyweight MIKE LEE, (17-0, 10 KO’s) and CHRIS TRAIETTI, (21-3, 17 KO’s) met the Chicago media just days head of their 10-round clash for the vacant IBF-USBA Light Heavyweight Title at “FORUM FIGHTS 1” on Friday, September 30 at the UIC FORUM in Downtown Chicago and telecast LIVE nationally on CBS Sports Network (9:00 p.m. ET) 

MIKE LEE - “I’m really excited to be here, I’ve never trained harder for a fight. I feel the fastest, strongest and smartest fighter I’ve ever been. I think if I fought myself a year ago, I’d knock myself out. A lot of that credit goes to my team, my strength coach Gabe Rangel and my coach Jamal Abdullah who is more than a “coach” but a great friend and I couldn’t be prouder of that."

“I get to fight in front of my friends and family in my hometown for a big belt, I’ve never been more ready."

“This fight has a special meaning, a good, very good friend of mine and mentor Tom Suddes who was one of my first coaches when I was young passed away yesterday. It was a devastating loss to me and I now have a new reason to win, I want to win this belt for him. He was such an incredible part of my life and he had a huge impact on my life. I want to get this win for him and that’s what I plan on doing Friday night. “

CHRIS TRAIETTI - “Thanks for this opportunity, it’s something I’m really looking forward to. My last loss was in 2011, since then I’ve been promoting my own shows, climbing my way back up to get this opportunity.”

“I didn’t come here to be intimidated and I didn’t come here to be overwhelmed by the moment, I came here to win. I’ve had eight weeks to prepare and I’ve never been more ready for a fight. I’m sure Mike is too, but I’m taking the title home.”

LEE vs. TRAIETTI, a 10-round battle for the USBA-IBF Light Heavyweight Title is presented by Round 3 Productions in association with DiBella Entertainment and Hitz Boxing and will be telecast live on CBS Sports Network, 9:00 p.m. ET. Advance tickets for “FORUM FIGHTS 1”, priced at $100, $50 and $30 are now on sale through Ticketmaster, (Ticketmaster.com, phone 1-800-745-3000) and the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5700).

The UIC FORUM is located at 725 W. Roosevelt Road at Halsted St., adjacent to the Dan Ryan Expressway. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7:00 p.m. CT.