Weigh-In Quotes and Photos--Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation Live at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME

WEIGHTS AND QUOTES

Marcus Johnson Vs. Dyah Davis

Danny O’Connor Vs. Gabriel Bracero

Willie Nelson Vs. Vincent Arroyo

Friday, April 8, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)

WEIGHTS: Marcus Johnson (20-0, 15 KOs) – 170 pounds; Dyah Davis (18-2-1, 9 KOs) – 169.25 pounds; Danny O'Connor (14-0, 3 KOs) – 137.75 pounds; Gabriel Bracero (14-0, 1 KO) – 140 pounds; Willie Nelson (16-0-1, 3 KOs) – 145.75 pounds; Vincent Arroyo (10-1, 7 KOs ) – 144.75 pounds.

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Thursday, one day before the exciting tripleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West coast).

Marcus Johnson:
“I don't feel like Davis is anything special. He's not his dad. I don't care about legacy. I don't care about any of that. I just have to fight him.

“To prove myself as a top super middleweight, I would fight (Lucian) Bute . I'd fight in Canada if I had to.

“I've got the same mentality as my last fight: knock him out. He's a safety first fighter but I'll push him to the limit.”

Dyah Davis:
“At this stage, I don't need softees. It's not going to propel me. Fighting tough opponents, this is the route we're comfortable with.

“I've never tried to trade on my father's career and I won't now. When I'm in the ring with Marcus, it will be all me.

“This is my life. This is a business. And I'm here to take care of it. That's why I am here -- not to trash talk.”

Danny O'Connor:
“Bracero can study as much film on YouTube as he wants, nothing is going to change. If that makes him feel better, then fine. But I have plans to show him some stuff he hasn't seen before.

“I'm a problem for anybody. I'm really good with angles and technique. Anything can happen in a fight. It's an adapter sport.”

Gabriel Bracero:
“I have the strongest support system. My mom is here. My family came to the fight. I've got people flying in from New York . I'll have my fans.

“I think I am a decent fighter, a good fighter. But it doesn't matter what you want to call it. It's about how bad you want it when you get in the ring. This is a big opportunity for me and I will take it.

“I just fought a real tough power puncher. I've beat tougher guys than O'Connor.”

Willie Nelson:
“It's Arroyo's job to say things like I haven't fought a warrior like him. I'll fight whatever fight he wants. If he fights clean, we'll fight clean but if he wants to fight dirty, so will I.

“I want to fight Shawn Porter. I'll do it whenever, the future, the past or now.

“Arroyo has never faced a guy at my height. He won't be used to it. Think about it, everyone I fight is shorter than me. I'm used to it. He's not.”

Vincent Arroyo:
“Willie can say whatever he wants about me. He is the one that's nervous. I'm coming to war.

“I spoil clean records, period. If he thinks I'm a stepping stone, just wait until he gets to the ring and realizes he is in a real fight.”


*Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, the “Rumble on the Rio” will originate from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo , Texas . Curt Menefee will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as the expert analyst. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Photo Credits: Tom Casino/ SHOWTIME

SIX QUESTIONS

WITH WILLIE ‘THE GREAT’ NELSON

Cleveland Welterweight with Famous Name is “On the Road Again” for

ShoBox: The New Generation in Laredo , Texas

 

  Marcus Johnson Vs. Dyah Davis

Danny O’Connor Vs. Gabriel Bracero

 Willie Nelson Vs. Vincent Arroyo

Friday, April 8, LIVE on SHOWTIME^® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)

 

NEW YORK (April 6, 2011) – With a famous given name and a bold self-proclaimed moniker, Willie “The Great” Nelson (16-0-1, 10 KOs) answers the age old question, “What’s in a name,” just days before his eight-round welterweight fight against Vincent Arroyo (10-1, 7 KOs ) on ShoBox: The New Generation, Friday, April 8, in the first of three fights on an exciting tripleheader LIVE on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

A 23-year-old welterweight prospect from Cleveland, Nelson describes Arroyo, of Amherst , N.Y. , as a banger who will not be afraid to mix it up once the two square off. “I’m going in there to take care of business,” said Nelson, who had more than 200 amateur fights. “I’ve watched Shawn Porter (fellow Ohio fighter who trains in California ) on SHOWTIME. Now it’s my turn to show everyone what ‘The Great’ is all about.”

 

Question: Willie Nelson the famous country singer sang “On the Road Again.” You fought your pro debut in New York City and have fought in New Jersey , Connecticut , California and four other states in only 17 pro fights. Can you relate?

 

Nelson: “Yeah, I’ll travel anywhere. People say eventually it will catch up with me but this is what I do. I’m not afraid to fight anywhere. They’ll recognize me in Texas because of my name. That’s where Willie Nelson is from.”

 

Question: Ever get tired of people asking you about your name?

 

Nelson: “Nah, I’ve gotten it my whole life. I like it. It’s something different. If I didn’t like it I’d change it. I’ve heard a few of his songs, just because I’m curious. But I’m not into country. I’m more into R & B.”

 

Question: Do you have a favorite Cleveland boxer? Or someone you look up to in the welterweight division?

 

Nelson: “Nope. Just me. I’m my own favorite. I can’t have a favorite boxer and be in the same sport. I can’t compare myself to another fighter or say I like him and then maybe one day have to fight him. It’s just not going to happen.”

 

Question: Is it true you’ve called out Shawn Porter and want to fight him?

 

Nelson: “Yeah, I’ve known Shawn since the amateurs. We’re cool with each other. But we’ve had a long-standing rivalry. His father made a statement that he’s the best fighter from Ohio and I took exception to that. I’ve called him out a few times but he hasn’t responded. He was always a weight above me in the amateurs but now we’re both 147. We’ll see. But he’s definitely someone I’d like to fight in the future.”

 

Question: You’re a 6-foot-3 welterweight. Have you ever fought someone as tall as you?

 

Nelson: “In the amateurs there was one guy who I fought who was that tall, but not in the pros. It frustrates a lot of guys naturally. Even if I’m not trying to use my height it frustrates them because I can still box and move and get inside them and be effective with my jabs. Without me even trying to use it as advantage, I think it is.”

 

Question: Why did you give yourself the nickname Willie “The Great”?

 

Nelson: “It’s just something that I thought should happen. In the amateurs I just thought I was so great. And people always thought that too. They would say, ‘Oh, Willie is so great at boxing. Willie has a great jab. Willie is a great prospect.’ Whenever my name is mentioned the word great is also mentioned. So I thought that’s what my nickname should be.”

 

Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, the “Rumble on the Rio” will originate from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo , Texas .  

 

Curt Menefee will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as the expert analyst. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. 

 

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.