BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Jan. 22) - With just over a week until their super welterweight bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY which will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes, undefeated rising stars Eddie "E-Boy" Gomez and Daquan "King" Arnett took time out of training to discuss their upcoming matchup, their Super Bowl predictions and much more.
As the co-main event of the evening on Thursday, Jan. 30, Gomez and Arnett will meet immediately preceding the WBA International Welterweight title bout between former world champions "Vicious" Victor Ortiz and Luis Collazo. Gomez and Arnett will meet for a second time, the first being an amateur bout when the two were nearly 12-years-old. Now as professionals, Gomez will showcase his talents for the fourth time at Barclays Center while Arnett prepares for what he calls the biggest fight of his career.
EDDIE GOMEZ, Undefeated Super Welterweight Rising Star
"I beat him in the amateurs and now we are just going back at it again. When we fought in the amateurs, I knocked him down three times. We were just young guys then and now we are grown men and someone's '0' has to go on January 30. I can tell you it won't be mine.
[On fighting a 10-round fight] "We always train to push it. We train to go 15 rounds, but we are always working hard and pushing extra hard like we always do.
"We were all over during this training camp. We were in Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx, basically on a tour of New York City.
"The best man is going to win on January 30 and I feel like I'm the best man.
"I think I have more experience in the professional game than him. I have fifteen fights with better opposition.
"I have a lot of people that have come out and supported me. I have gained more fans. My family has come to Barclays Center and people come to support me. There's no added pressure fighting so close to home.
"I see the fight going four or five rounds. My opponent is a good fighter, but I'm not worried about him. I hope he's ready because I know I am.
[On his Super Bowl prediction] "Denver should win because of Peyton Manning, he's had an outstanding season. He's also a future Hall of Famer and he has the experience of being to the Super Bowl before."
DAQUAN ARNETT, Undefeated Super Welterweight Rising Star
"This is the biggest fight of my career thus far. Being at Barclays Center for the Malignaggi vs. Judah fight got me excited to fight there. I have fought on big stages in the past and it hasn't rattled me. I don't expect this to be any different.
"Fighting in his [Eddie Gomez] backyard doesn't bother me. When it comes down to it we are in the same ring, no one in the crowd or around the ring can help you. Fighting in his hometown doesn't make a difference.
"I expect to win a good entertaining fight, something the fans would love to see. I definitely see myself coming out with the win.
"I prepare for every fight as the toughest fight of my career. This fight is no different, just another day, another fight.
[On his goals for 2014] "I want to stay active in the sport and keep winning. I also want to keep getting bigger and better fights for the fans.
"My father got me into boxing at an early age. I was two-years-old when he began training me as an amateur. My dad was a fighter back in his day. Boxing has really been my entire life. From the moment I was walking, I was punching.
[On fighting Eddie Gomez as amateurs] "It was an entertaining fight. He came out early and jumped on me in the second and third round. It was a really good and entertaining fight. It was in the back of my mind, I thought that we would fight again.
"I have a younger brother that's getting ready to turn pro. I have a younger sister, an older sister and an older brother. My older brother and my older sister live in New York City. I know people all over so I'm sure I'll have fans cheering for me at Barclays Center.
[On his Super Bowl prediction] "I'm picking the Broncos by a touchdown. You can't beat Peyton Manning. He is the best and that's the bottom line. He controls the game from the sideline and on the field."
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Ortiz vs. Collazo is a 12-round fight for the WBA International Welterweight title presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and Casamigos Tequila. Barclays Center doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET with the first bell sounding at 6:30 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets priced at $25, $43, $80 and $160 plus applicable taxes and service charges are available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-745-3000 and at Barclays Center American Express Box Office. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK. A limited number of suites are available for the event. For more information on how to reserve one, please call 718-BK-SUITE (718-257-8483).
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