On Wednesday afternoon Andre Ward and Arthur Abraham took part in the final press conference for Saturday night's matchup, which takes place in Carson, California for Ward's WBA super middleweight title.
The bout is also one of the semi-final bouts for Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic.
“I’m born and raised here in America and I don’t talk that much. I think everyone in this room understands that. There’s not much else to say. I’ve prepared the way I’m supposed to prepare, the way a champion is supposed to prepare," said Ward.
“I respect Arthur Abraham, it’s going to be a tough fight. I want to be a great fighter, but I’m not there yet. These are the kind of fights that you have to take and you have to win to be a great fighter."
Ward (23-0, 13 KOs) has emerged as the favorite to win the tournament after coming in as an underdog to the more experienced fighters.
Meanwhile, a favorite coming in, Abraham has had two straight losses in the tournament, after winning his first fight in brutal KO fashion against Jermain Taylor. "King" Arthur says he's had to make a few adjustments in training and hopes to get back into form on Saturday night.
“I had to make some adjustments to my style for moving from middleweight to super middleweight and then we had to make some more after the losses. We have made the necessary adjustments," proclaimed Abraham.
“I have a lot of respect for Andre Ward. He’s a technically sound boxer. But that talk doesn’t matter when we get in the ring on Saturday. I’m here to win and I’m here to destroy him."
Ward, Oakland, California, is making the third defense of the title he won from Mikkel Kessler at the start of the tournament, while Abraham vies for his first championship at 168 pounds.
Showtime will televise the fight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Saturday night.
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