Peterson, Bradley Hold Final Press Conference!

(Photo by Tom Casino/Showtime)

Two classy combatants -- challenger Lamont Peterson (right) and WBO Junior Welterweight champ Timothy Bradley -- held their final press conference before their nationally televised title clash this Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Agua Caliente Resort and Casino in Rancho Mirage, CA. Here's what was said:

Lamont Peterson:

“I’m just so amped for the fight. Don’t miss the fight. Like everybody says, it should be a really good fight. It will be a really, really good fight, so don’t miss it.

“Timothy has to do what he has to do, but if he says that he’s willing to die then he should give me life. If he says I got to kill him in order to win – then that is what I gotta do.

“If Bradley were engaging another opponent I would support him. But since he is fighting against me, there is no such thing as a friendship.

“I went through Timothy Bradley’s last six fights and looked for what he constantly did during all of those six fights. I studied those tapes over and over again so I could familiarize myself with the moves that he does over and over again.

“I am not concerned at all about the fact that I am fighting in Timothy’s backyard. I am not fighting the crowd, so it makes no difference. It’s Bradley that I will be battling in the ring.

“I won’t have a loss. It CANNOT happen. I have to come out as the winner. A loss is not ever on my mind. That’s my train of thought now and always will be when I enter into the ring.”

Barry Hunter (Peterson’s Trainer):

“I’ve known Timmy since he was a junior in the amateurs. He has always been one of class. He has been a hard worker. I have nothing but respect for the whole Bradley team.

“The happy side of this is I’m sitting next to a kid (Peterson) that I’ve had in the gym since he was 10 years old. Not too many people get a chance to dream and then live the dream. He, too, is a hard worker. He is a very exciting fighter, a very intelligent fighter. I’m very happy and I’m very proud of him.

“He’s very well prepared for this fight. He came in under weight today. We had a great camp.

“Come Saturday, I know you’ll see a great fight and it could very well be a candidate for fight of the year. You have two skilled athletes with the will to win. Timmy has proved himself and now it is our turn. Come Saturday, we’ll do all we can to walk out of here with that belt.”

Timothy Bradley (WBO Junior Welterweight Champion:

“I want to thank Peterson for taking this fight. I know Lamont Peterson very well and he knows me, and I know that Barry Hunter is underrated. I love his trainer Barry Hunter. He is a great guy.

“Don’t let Peterson’s record fool you. Saturday night is a candidate for fight of the year. Probably will be fight of the year.”

“I know they are prepared, but I’m just letting everybody know that I’m willing to die Saturday; I’m willing to die for that title. I’ve got to have it. I know I’ll have it. I know I’m going to hell and back to get it because Lamont Peterson is a great fighter. It’s my time and I’m willing to die Saturday night for that title.

“Mom, I know this may upset you, but I’ve got passion and with that I’m ready to die in the ring. I’ve trained extremely hard for this fight. I’m ready, I know he is ready and we are going to get it on Saturday night.

“It’s going to be a hell of a fight. It’s going to be fight of the year, guaranteed. I’m not going to lie down and I know Lamont isn’t going to lie down. It’s on.”

The card begins at 9 PM ET on Showtime with a matchup for the WBC/WBA Super Flyweight title between champion Vic Darchinyan and WBC Interim champ Tomas Rojas.