STEVENSON AND FONFARA WAX LYRICAL

WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson and Andrzej Fonfara sounded off at the final press conference on Tuesday at Montreal Casino for their 175-pound rematch this Saturday live on SHOWTIME from Bell Centre.

Adonis Stevenson: “I know Andrzej Fonfara from 12 rounds in the ring. He can’t change his style right now. He may show some improved defense, but after a couple of rounds it will be the old Fonfara. This fight will be different. I expect a knockout. I hurt my hand in our first fight, but now I’m fully healthy and I expect to knock him out.”

Andrzej Fonfara: “I’m ready to be the new world champion and I’ll do that Saturday night. He wants the KO, and I want the KO, too. I respect hm because he’s the champ. I came here to show that, this time, I’m the better fighter.”

Adonis Stevenson: “I’m ready because I know Fonfara is dangerous. We’re not underestimating him. I’ve prepared for everything, but everything he brings to the ring.

I’m training for the knockout. Emanuel Steward always told me ‘knockouts sell.’ When I get in the ring I’m going for a knockout. It’s not an option for me to go 12 rounds.

I train for 12 rounds, and if it goes 12 rounds he’s going to get punishment the whole time, but I definitely am going for the knockout. I see some things I can exploit in the ring. I won the first fight, and I know him very well. I know what he can do. I know he changed trainers. Virgil Hunter brings a lot of experience, I know he trains Andre Ward, and I know he’s very intelligent.

Andrzej Fonfara:  “I’m a much smarter fighter now. Mentally, I’m much strong and smarter. I bettered myself. Virgil (Hunter) has taught me a lot of new stuff. Some things worked in my last fight with Chad Dawson, some things didn’t. But that was our first fight together. Now I’m ready to show everything in this fight.

“I’ve had a lot of success against southpaws. I like fighting them. Chad Dawson was a southpaw, so the last two fights, the last four months, we prepared only for southpaws. I’m ready for the best Stevenson.

My camp went well. Sparring was great. It’s my second full camp with Virgil Hunter and we’ve improved a lot since the first fight. I can’t make the same mistakes I did in our first fight. I must fight much smarter.

Stevenson only has a good left hand. He’s the champ and he’s a good fighter, but his boxing isn’t amazing. He’s not easy, but he only has basic boxing skills. We must cut his left hand and be ready to throw my right. We need to control him.

I must start good in the first round and let him know that I’m here to win the fight. And I’ll be the new champion. I’m always a fighter that goes forward and pushes guys back, but I am now ready to fight backwards if I need to. I’ll show the best Andrzej Fonfara this time. I’m going to win the fight. A world title is the only thing I’ve never had. I’ve imagined raising my hand after the fight and becoming the new WBC champion. I’m ready to take the title. My time has come.”