It is an honor for me to fight in the (Tampa) bay area, ... It's something I always dreamed of doing -- defending a world title in the bay area. Now it has come true and now it is time for me to go to work.

I believe the best way for me to honor him is to do everything I can to carry on the cause in which Paul believed so deeply.

That's one fight that I'm looking forward to happening. I've always told you I'm not going to duck Scott, he's earned his right. I like Scott and I think he's a cool guy but when we get in the ring it's going to be a fight and it's going to be an exciting fight. I think it's the kind of fight that everybody wants to see.

I don't buy that injury for a minute. He's just ducking me to get out of the fight,

He's not a fighter I can overlook at all. He was able to knock out Omar Sheika, a guy who I couldn't knockout, ... Sure, I wanted Calzaghe, but Scott Pemberton is a really good fighter.

We will still fight on November 5th. Everyone had
been telling me all along to have a backup plan because Calzaghe was going
to fallout. I had too much respect and trust for Frank Warren and Joe
Calzaghe to do that but those days are over.