VIDEO LINK OF NOV. 1 PRESS CONFERENCE: Final Press Conference
(November 1, 2023) – Ahead of Saturday’s monumental event, the world’s greatest promoter Don King addressed assembled media along with the boxers from the highly anticipated main card.
The “Only in America 92 Celebration” card will have three co-feature title fights headlined by the 12-round battle for the WBC Cruiserweight vacant title as the number one ranked fighter, Noel Mikaelian (26-2, 11 KOs) of Miami, FL via Armenia taking on the number two ranked fighter and former champion Ilunga Makabu (29-3, 25 KOs) from Johannesburg, South Africa via the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Makabu, who lost his title to Badou Jack as he was stopped in the 12th round, is hoping to regain his belt after Badou Jack relinquished the title.
The other tri-feature bout will spotlight two heavyweight champions putting their respective belts on the line. The NABA Gold Heavyweight Champion Jonathan Guidry (19-1-2, 11 KOs) of Dulac, LA will tangle with the undefeated FECARBOX Heavyweight Champion Jesus Escalera (19-0, 19 KOs) of Riverview, FL via Puerto Rico.
The WBA Continental North America Heavyweight Championship will feature the former WBA champion Trevor Bryan (22-1, 15 KOs) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL via New York taking on challenger Cassius Chaney (22-1, 15 KOs) of New London, CT.
Tickets, priced from $50, are on sale and can be purchased at www.playcasinomiami.com for the Nov. 4th and the Dec. 2nd cards. Ringside tables are $3000. next level tables $2500, ringside seats $750 and side seats are $200 and $100. General Admission tickets at $50.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the action will begin at 7 p.m.
Don King:
“I’m very thankful to be here because we are taking boxing back to the people. It’s going to be a November and December to remember, and we are kicking it off with this great card we have this Saturday.”
“The best man wins, and everyone who is fighting must be fighting for themselves. That is what we are dealing with here on this celebration of a night. The best of the best.”
On Makabu, who’s not in attendance today due to Visa issues but expected to arrive tomorrow – “More rumors than Al Capone.”
“Jonathan Guidry being the champion that he is will be taking on Puerto Rico’s Jesus Escalera. Escalera is the man of the people, and this will be a great title match between two of the best heavyweights in the world. Anything can happen on this card; these guys will just go in there and fight as soon as that bell rings.”
“Another title fight will be one that includes quite bit of controversy. Trevor Bryan will be attempting to recapture his once held (WBA Heavyweight) title by going out there and winning. He will be taking on a young man in Cassius Chaney. This man’s name made me very interested as he shares the name with the man that brought me into the sport, Cassius Clay. Cassius Clay was a brave man who went to prison because he did not go to battle in a war he did not believe in. I have never seen Chaney fight, but his record speaks for itself, and he will be taking on The Dream, and someone will have a nightmare.”
Noel Mikaelian vs. Ilunga Makabu
WBC Cruiserweight Championship
Noel Mikaelian:
“First of all, thank you for the attendance and thank you Don for the words. I am ready to fight for the most prestigious title this Saturday. Tune in at FiteTV.com and DonKing.com. Thank you, Don, for putting together another great show. The best promoter in the world. Only in America!”
“I wanted to fight Makabu for a longtime, he’s a great southpaw but my fight IQ allows me to adapt to anyone in the ring.”
On Makabu’s absence “I don’t care that he is not here (today). If he is not in the ring on Saturday, then I will be very disappointed.”
Jonathan Guidry vs. Jesus Escalera
WBC FECARBOX & NABA Gold Heavyweight Championship
Jonathan Guidry:
“I am really honored to be on another Don King show. I do not have much to say but I am very prepared for this fight, and I believe we will have the best fight of the night. Sparks will fly.”
Jesus Escalera:
“Thank you very much to Don King and team Guidry for giving me this shot. A lot of fighters turned me down, but he is a true champion and stepped up and it is a complete honor. My uncle fought in in the same venue (Casino Miami Jai-Alai) 40 years ago for Don King. To fight in same venue as my uncle is an honor. I plan to make my home country of Puerto Rico proud. This will be the best fight of the night and Saturday will answer a lot of questions people have about us.”
*Escalera’s uncle is former WBC Super Featherweight World Champion and 2023 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Alfredo Escalera. He successfully defended his title 10 times before losing to future International Boxing Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello in 1978.
“Guidry’s IQ in boxing is high. I think he said his gameplan is to take me to the later rounds and drown me. That’s a great gameplan. There’s a reason I haven’t been outside of the fourth round. But if he comes forward, we will see what happens. This is the heavyweight division; it only takes one punch. He’s a true fighting champion who stays active so I will be prepared.”
“Don King is keeping the sport of boxing alive, and I will put on a great performance come Saturday night.”
Trevor Bryan vs. Cassius Chaney
WBA Continental North America Heavyweight Championship
Trevor Bryan:
“I am happy to be back on the stage with Don King. This is going to be a great show. Everyone is claiming to have the best fight but myself and Cassius Chaney have a lot to prove so I believe we will take that title. I am a former champion, so I have a lot to still prove. Nothing against Chaney but I need to go in there and take care of business.”
Cassius Chaney:
“I’m excited and mad at the same time. I want to say thank God for allowing be in this position. Thank you to Don for giving me the opportunity to be on this card. I am looking forward to this. Thank you for Trevor’s team for accepting this fight because I’ve been training constantly. My team and I have been patient and working hard and I am now in a good space. I’m looking forward to Saturday to put on a great show.”
