WEDNESDAY’S WORKOUT QUOTES: CHRIS BYRD, FRES OQUENDO

18.09 - IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd (36-2, 20 KOs) will make his first title defense against No. 2-ranked Fres Oquendo (24-1, 15 KOs) in the main event Saturday at Mohegan Sun. In a second world title fight on the nine-bout Don King Productions-promoted fight card, undefeated Alex “Terra” Garcia (21-0, 20 KOs) defends his WBA super welterweight crown against fellow unbeaten Rhoshii “The Mongoose” Wells (17-0-2, 10 KOs). The Byrd-Oquendo 12-rounder will be shown on HBO at 9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT. The live card starts at 5 o’clock.

CHRIS BYRD

“The main thing is, I am very excited to be getting back into the ring. Sure, I wanted to fight the bigger named guys in the division, but staying busy is the most important thing at this point.

“Fres Oquendo is no slouch and I know he wants my title. I expect him to fight the best he ever has. He is a little different from the guys I have been in with lately, but you have to fight and learn to adapt to every style at this level. I am looking forward to the challenge.

“I have never turned down a fight from anybody. My deal is, let’s fight and see who is best. This is going to be a very good fight. I am ready to go.’’

FRES OQUENDO

“I would like to thank Don King and, of course, Chris Byrd for giving me this wonderful opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title. It is a rare opportunity and a dream come true for me. I am very motivated, and definitely am going to cease the moment. This is a golden opportunity for me to show my real skills.

“I am extremely hungry, and a very dangerous opponent. Byrd knows that, too.

“Style-wise, I feel this is a great matchup. It is the first time I will be fighting a heavyweight smaller than me. I am taller than Byrd and have a longer reach.

“Byrd has had his way with a lot of the bigger heavyweights, but I am not like that. This is going to be a real fight. I plan to be busy from the start until whenever it ends. I am very confident.’’