Photos: Wilder-Szpilka, Glazkov-Martin Final Press Conference

BROOKLYN - A dramatic fight week continued Thursday as WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder and bruising Polish contender Artur Szpilka participated inthe final press conference before they enter the ring this Saturday, January 16 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center. Photos by Stephanie Trapp.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with unbeatens Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov fighting for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comor by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

"This is going to be a huge event at Barclays Center on Saturday night. There are still some tickets available, but you better run and get them. We just opened up some more tickets today. We could have a record crowd for boxing at Barclays Center and that's the power of the heavyweight division and the power of boxing when you deliver a great product to people.

"There are two terrific fights in one night. They will be the first heavyweight title fights in Brooklyn in 115 years. We knew we were going to have Deontay Wilder taking on Artur Szpilka. We didn't initially expect it, but now we have a title fight for a vacant belt as a co-feature. It really makes it a special night."

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®

"SHOWTIME Sports was born on March 10, 1986 with its first telecast of a sporting event, which happened to feature a spectacular 11th-round knockout by "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler. This is SHOWTIME's 30th anniversary and we'll be celebrating all year long.

"In keeping with our heavyweight theme, we are featuring our long history with Evander Holyfield and airing some of his biggest fights. Holyfield has fought with us 18 times, the most of any other fighter. If there is a current fighter who can break that record, it's Deontay Wilder. He's fought eight times and we've seen the progression of his skills.

"I can't think of a better way to kick off our year than with this doubleheader of heavyweight title fights. For each of these four fighters on this SHOWTIME card, Saturday night represents a lifetime of work and their dream of being heavyweight champion. I'm convinced we're going to have two memorable fights that will add to the great history of SHOWTIME.

"We have such confidence in this card we're doing something unprecedented. Not only is it a part of our Free Preview Weekend, but we're putting the entire telecast on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel. There's no excuse for anyone to miss it."

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Barclays Center

"Barclays Center is in the big event business and it doesn't get any bigger than hosting two heavyweight world championship fights Saturday night. Brooklyn has a great history with heavyweights but it's been a long time. Deontay is the perfect person to bring this tradition back to Brooklyn. He's confident, tenacious and has a big personality. He's made to fight in Brooklyn.

"Wilder versus Artur Szpilka is the matchup Brooklyn has been waiting for. The Fort Greene section of Brooklyn has a tremendous Polish population and Artur will have a big rooting section on Saturday night.

"This will be our sixteenth event and I expect 2016 to be our biggest year ever. This is certainly an exciting way to kick off boxing at Barclays for 2016."