Featherweight World Championship Showdown Headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING This Saturday, May 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland
"I never magnify an event, even though it's at home. The end objective is still the same. But I think it's cool that everyone in our neighborhood has the opportunity to be in the arena and see what we do.
"I'm 100 percent physically and mentally ready for the challenge and I'm on top of everything I can be.
"When you get caught up in the hype, it's a deficiency in yourself. You have to be able to focus on the objective over everything else.
"I believe in my ability but also the ability of my brothers. So I'm not nervous for them. I know what they've been taught. They conduct themselves like young men in and out of the ring.
"I want a unification bout after this. I'm ready for any of the other world champions. We can line them all up in the same night if you want. If I can't get those fights, I'm going to move up in weight and bully around these bigger guys.
"I look at each fighter as their own individual. We don't prepare the same way for every opponent. He's a tough fighter who comes forward. He's very physical and I expect him to be at his best on Saturday. It's up to me to counteract what he does.
"I love this sport. I love what I do. I love being able to prepare for no one else, but the person across the ring and then dismantling him.
"We worked on versatility most. We believe in the sweet science. A lot of these guys just win because they're stronger and faster. We want to be more technically sound too."
OSCAR ESCANDON
"This is a very important fight for my career. This is going to elevate me to where I want to be and give me the platform to do anything in the sport. I'm very well prepared for this.
"I feel strong and healthy at 126-pounds. I'm focused on this fight Saturday night. I'll fight anyone but right now I have to get past Gary Russell Jr.
"In my last fight I was the underdog. People counted me out. Same thing applies here. I've done the work and I'm confident that I'm going to win.
"I didn't have complete training camps with my past trainers, but now I'm with Ruben Guerrero. I'm learning so much. You can look at me in my previous fights and you'll see a vast improvement now.
"I want that green (WBC) belt a lot. Green is my favorite color. I want to be the best and to me, winning that title signifies that I am the best. To do that I have to beat the best, and that is Gary Russell Jr.
"I don't like to talk much but I will say that I'm coming to bring this world title back to Colombia. I respect Gary but my mindset is that I'm taking this title home."
GARY RUSSELL SR., Father and Trainer of the Russells
"We work hard in the gym. Everybody has a plan until they get hit. We know that he's going to bring pressure and we'll be ready for it.
"I'm really happy about this opportunity. We can get it all done in one night and put on a great show for everyone.
"I'm definitely in fight mode. There are no extra nerves at all. I just want to get this done and get it done right.
"I can't really put Escandon in the same category with the top guys we've faced. He's a short fighter. Most people in these weight classes are taller than Gary. At that size, the only way you can fight is straight forward. He's not going to out box us."
RUBEN GUERRERO, Escandon's Trainer
"We're ready over here. We're going to do what it takes. We know what we're up against. He's one of the best. We'll prove who is the best on Saturday. This is going to come down to a war. Gary knows what he's going against.
"I helped Escandon set up a camp in Las Vegas for this fight because this was a huge opportunity. We were up in the mountains and that's where I wanted him. He's going to be great on fight night. He'll be ready to go. It's not easy to train in Vegas.
"We're coming to win. We can't control the judges but we know they're fair. We're expecting a fair shake. We're going to control what we can."
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