Royal Battle: Amir Khan Vs. Devon Alexander fighters discuss training camp and the holiday season

With the holiday season upon us, fighters preparing to participate in the stacked Dec. 13 event taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, take a break from training to discuss their progress in camp and what they are most grateful for during this festive season.

The following answers offer some insight into the fighters’ training camp regiments.

Q: Training camp is nearly over. How has camp been going so far?

AMIR KHAN (AK), WBA International and WBC Silver Welterweight Champion (Training in the Bay Area, Calif.):Camp has been great. We’re working hard and feeling in the best shape ever. I can’t wait for the fight.

DEVON ALEXANDER (DA), Former Two-Division World Champion (Training in St. Louis, Mo.): Camp is going tremendously well. I’m getting more and more anxious as the fight approaches.

KEITH THURMAN (KT), Interim WBA Welterweight Champion (Training in St. Petersburg, Fla.): Training camp is great, I have great sparing partners and we train three times a week and add some cardio to the mix. It’s good, this is my job, my office, we stay in the gym and work at the gym to make the fight look easy.

ABNER MARES (AM), Former Three-Time, Three-Division World Champion (Training in Los Angeles, Calif.): Camp has been great! I’m back with my old team and coach that took me to three world titles and it’s been going really well.

JERMALL AND JERMELL CHARLO – CHARLO TWINS (CT), Undefeated Junior Middleweight Contenders (Training in Houston, Texas): We’re feeling good. This is the best camp we’ve ever shared together.

ERROLL SPENCE JR. (ES), Undefeated Junior Middleweight Prospect (Training in Dallas, Texas): Training camp has been great. I’m on weight and I’ll be ready to fight on Dec. 13.

VICTOR ORTIZ (VO), Former welterweight champion (Training in Indio, Calif.): I’ve been working hard and learning from coach Joel Diaz; it’s definitely been a solid camp.

Q: Fight night is a little less than two weeks away. How are you feeling physically?
AK: I’m feeling strong and sharp. This is one of my best camps, a lot of hard work has been put in and it will pay off on fight night. I’m excited to fight. It’s been a long time.

DA: Physically I feel good. I’m in tremendous shape. And with two weeks to go I’ll be right on schedule.

KT: I feel strong, I am dropping weight on schedule and am looking forward to getting back in the ring after this minor layoff.

AM:Physically I can honestly say that I’m always ready and I’m ready to fight, but the mental part to me is the most important thing and mentally I’m ready to win one fight at a time until I become world champion once again.

CT: Knowing that we’re both fighting step-up fights we pushed each other to the maximum.

ES: I’m feeling really good. I’ve been sparring 10-12 rounds with 30-second breaks without any problem.

VO: I’m feeling great just making sure I pay attention to my coaches and work hard every day.Q: What have you been doing to pass the time when you are not in the gym or training?

AK: I’m relaxing and resting. I spend time studying Devon’s style. My brother and dad are in town so I have company. We go out to the mall or for walks. I’m a very chill guy.

DA:Well when I’m getting ready for a fight I’m completely zoned in on that fight, so I don’t do much. I train and then I’m back home. Maybe I’ll see a movie every now and then.

KT: Lately I have been playing musical instruments on my down time, it’s entertaining.

AM: Spending time with my family. I’ve been spending the most time ever with my kids and wife and it’s really important to me and it’s what I love to do when I’m not working.

CT: We spend time with our families. Jermell just bought a new house. Things are getting better in life for both of us. We’re also traveling and experiencing different boxing styles.

ES: I like to go to the movies and watch TV. I’ve also been spending time hanging out with family and friends.

VO: I spend my time in gyms or doing something outdoorsy.

Q: What is your biggest motivation during training camp?

AK: My father and coach. They motivate me and get the best out of me. Especially when I’m tired and down and missing my family and my little girl Lamaisah. Also Lamaisah is a huge motivation, I’m doing this for her.

DA: My biggest motivation during training is knowing that I’m closer than ever to being one of the best in boxing and becoming a household name.

KT: That it’s not over. My future is bright, and it motivates me to work harder every day.

AM:Now and always has been my family.

ES: The biggest motivation during training camp is knowing that I’ll be boxing on TV and I have the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of everyone.

VO: To be that best that I can be to myself.

Below are some of the “ROYAL BATTLE: KHAN VS. ALEXANDER” fighters’ favorite holiday traditions and an account of what makes them feel most appreciative.

Q: What is your fondest memory of the holidays?

AK: Spending time with family and having a break, just not thinking of anything else but family time. Also helping families in need and charities through Amir Khan Foundation.

DA: My fondest memory of the holidays are me and the family getting together and being with each other and seeing each other. We are a close family.

KT: Eating plenty of food with family and friends.

AM: I have many fond memories of making “buñuelos,” which are Mexican fried sweet dough sprinkled with cinnamon, for Christmas with my mom.

CT: Flag football is always the best part of the holidays.

ES: Spending time with my family is what’s most important to me.

VO: No memories really I’m always in camp holiday time.

Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition to participate in?

AK: Eid, which is a Muslim celebration where the family spends time together and we have dinner and give presents and money to the kids.

DA: One of my favorite holiday traditions is to be at my mom’s house and see everyone eating all that food and laughing and joking.

KT: Pretty much eating – dessert is my favorite. I’m going to tear up the desert tray at Christmas.

AM: Thanksgiving is always great because my family always take turns to say what we are thankful for and it’s great to hear everyone’s blessings.

ES: My favorite is cutting the turkey at Thanksgiving.

VO: I would have to say Halloween just to see the scary people and costumes.

Q: If you could invite one historical figure to a holiday dinner or celebration this season who would it be, and why?

AK: Muhammad Ali, he is my boxing hero and Mike Tyson who is now a friend. It would just be good to talk about boxing and they can tell me about their careers.

DA: If I had to pick a historic figure to come celebrate with it would be President Barack Obama. He is one of the most influential people of my day.

KT: Jesus, because he is the King of Kings and his spirit lives on.

AM: It would be Cesar Chavez to thank him for fighting for my people and our rights as immigrants.

VO: That’s a fun question. There’s so many people around that I wouldn’t really know who…

Q: What’s the one holiday food item or fixing that you must have this season?

AK: Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, sweet potatoes and big bowl of salad.

DA: My favorite holiday dish that I’m waiting on is the collard greens or I could say the baked macaroni.

KT: I must have a nice apple pie. I haven’t had one in a long time.

AM: The ones that I can’t wait for are Mexican tamales and buñuelos.

CT: Gumbo!

ES: My mom’s sweet potato pie!

VO: Some pumpkin pie.

Q: What have you been most thankful for so far in 2014?

AK: My baby daughter Lamaisah, who was born in May. It’s a great feeling being a father and it’s further motivation in my career.

DA: What I’m most thankful for is being able to still be here getting blessed with tremendous opportunities. There’s so much that I’m thankful for.

KT: Thankful that I’m here, this life, this blessing and for the experience of growth. And I am thankful for the many more years in the sport and life in general.

AM: My health and being able to help others in some way.

CT: We’re most thankful for having a very close family. We’re very grateful of for all that Ronnie Shields and Al Haymon have made possible. Al gave us the chance and now we’re thankful for our position in the sport of boxing. We’re getting closer and closer to world titles.

ES: My health and the support that I get from my family and friends.

VO: To a great team that I have from Coach Joel, Coach Hoss, Coach Antonio, Coach Jose and Al Haymon, the Watson family and Scott Karp and Sam Spira. I have lots of good people in my corner in and out of boxing.

– PRESS RELEASE

‘Royal Battle’ televised bouts lineup announced

With the holiday season fast approaching, boxing fans will have plenty to celebrate at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 13, as the star-studded “ROYAL BATTLE: Khan vs. Alexander” has grown to a quadrupleheader. Added to the previously announced SHOWTIME telecast will be a 10-round featherweight bout featuring former three-division world champion Abner Mares (27-1-1, 14 KOs) against Mexico’s Jose Ramirez (24-3-2, 15 KOs), and opening the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING portion of the event at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT will be a 12-round IBF Title Elimination bout between unbeaten Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) and Italy’s Lenny Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs).

Headlined by the high-stakes 12-round welterweight matchups between British superstar and former unified super lightweight world champion Amir “King” Khan and former two-division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great,” and featuring the interim WBA Welterweight World Championship 12-round title fight between Keith “One Time” Thurman against Leonard “The Lion” Bundu, the live SHOWTIME event will offer a full night of boxing action.

SHOWTIME EXTREME viewers will also be treated to outstanding live action beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), with top 154-pound contender Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (24-0, 11 KOs) putting his unbeaten record on the line in a 10-round bout against Mario Alberto Lozano (28-5, 20 KOs) and undefeated 2012 United States Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) taking on longtime contender “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (24-10-1, 11 KOs) of Greece in an eight-round junior middleweight contest. Plus, the return of former welterweight world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-5-2, 22 KOs) against Denver’s Manuel Perez (21-10-1, 4 KOs) will be aired during the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast.

Rounding out the non-televised card, in an eight-round cruiserweight bout featuring Beibut Shumenov (14-2, 9 KOs) versus Robert Thomas Jr. (14-2-1, 9 KOs) and Tokyo’s Yoshihiro Kamegai (24-2-1, 21 KOs) will face off against San Jose’s Oscar Godoy (13-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight showdown.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are priced at $300, $200, $100, and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Facing off against former world champion Mares will be Mazatlan, Mexico native Ramirez, (24-3-2, 15 KOs), who can put himself in the running for a world title shot at 126 pounds with a win on Dec. 13. A professional since 2006, the 27-year-old former WBO International Featherweight World Champion is 3-2 in his last five bouts, a stretch that includes a victory over veteran contender Rey Bautista. Ramirez now makes his home in Oxnard, Calif., where he’s put in an intense training camp for the biggest fight of his career.

Former amateur sensation Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) of Houston, Texas has made his presence known in the professional game with all but four of his wins coming by way of knockout. The 24-year-old Charlo is ready to continue to make a statement that he is one of the best junior middleweights in the world when he opens the Dec. 13 telecast against Lenny Bottai. His most recent win, a seventh round technical knockout over Norberto Gonzalez in September has given Charlo the drive to close out the year with a victory and head into 2015 with a world championship in his sights.

On a quest to bring a world championship home to Italy, Livorno’s  Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs) is a seasoned veteran of European rings, where he has won the Italian, IBO International, IBF International, IBF Intercontinental and WBC Mediterranean Junior Middleweight titles. The only thing missing for the 37-year-old warrior is a world title belt and following seven consecutive victories, four by knockout, he can move one step closer to glory should he upend Charlo.

Winner of nine of his last 11 fights, 27-year-old Mario Alberto “Aguila” Lozano (28-5, 22 KOs) will be a stern test for unbeaten Jermell Charlo on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas. A stellar welterweight contender for several years, the Chihuahua, Mexico native is now putting his skills on display at 154 pounds, where he has recently battled respected contenders Vanes Martirosyan and Charles Hatley. But to set the stage for a title run, Lozano must dispatch Charlo from the ranks of the unbeaten and end 2014 with a bang.

2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) has been making a steady climb up the divisional ranks since turning professional. After a shutout win over rugged veteran Ronald Cruz in June and a dominating technical knockout victory over the experienced Noe Bolanos in September, the 24-year-old from Desoto, Texas is primed to take his next big step.

Fresh from his first fight as a professional in his native Greece, a second round knockout of Andrei Staliarchuk in May, Athens’  Arnaoutis (25-10-2, 12 KOs) will see if 2012 U.S. Olympian Spence has what it takes to move to the next level when they collide. A veteran of nearly 14 years in the pro game, the 35-year-old Arnaoutis has battled the likes of Josesito Lopez, Chris Algieri, Danny Garcia and Victor Ortiz in his career, and he still feels he gas plenty left his as he tackles one of boxing’s brightest prospects.

– Press Release

Second round devastating knock out sees Cuellar defeat Juan Manuel Lopez

The fifth fight of the night was a scheduled 12 round bout for the WBA featherweight interim title between Jesus Cuellar (25-1, 19 KOs) from Buenos Aires, Argentina and Juan Manuel Lopez (34-5, 31 KOs) from Rio Pierdas, PR.  The 27 year old Cuellar came in with a reach of 71” while the 31 year-old Lopez with that of 69”.  Cuellar had a great deal of support from the crowd of 4,000 as many Argentineans had traveled to Las Vegas to watch the Mayweather vs Maidana rematch Saturday night.

Both fighters moved in at the start of the first round and met each other in their southpaw stance with a high guard.  Cuellar was pressuring forward, fainting with his hands and landing strong power punches.  Both connected with hooks at the same time but Cuellar was able to follow with three right hooks to the head.  By the time the round was over, a mouse had begun to form under Lopez’ right eye.

Round two began and both boxers began to flurry.  At one minute and 36 seconds of the second round Lopez was knocked out by Cuellar with a one-two combination and was unable to stand up.  In fact, he seemed to not even know where he was, such was the power of the punch from Cuellar.  Cuellar had landed a few quick hooks after the combination but a review of the tape clearly showed that Gonzalez was already out and was taking punishment as he was falling to the ground.

Charlo stops Gonzalez in the seventh

The fourth event for the night was an eight round middleweight bout between Jermall “Hitman” Charlo (19-0, 16 KOs) from Houston, TX and Norberto Gonzalez (20-5, 13 KOs) from Puerto Rey, Mexico.  The 24 year-old Charlo came in at 6’0” and a reach of 73.5” while the 33 year-old Gonzalez came in at 5’10” and a reach of 71”.  Gonzalez had never been stopped in his career.  Charlo had said he was interested in fighting Carlos Molina after this event.

As the first round began, Charlo came in with his left hand down while Gonzalez had a higher guard and was bobbing and weaving but backing up from the pressure.  Charlo exhibited his quicker hands in the first round, mainly by sticking the jab.  He also cut off the ring from Gonzalez very effectively while he stalked him and used a head-body combination.

The beginning of the second round found Gonzalez in trouble against the ropes but he was able to dig deep and fight his way out with a one-two combination.  He tried moving to his left and his right but was unable to evade Charlo.  Charlo landed a beautiful double jab and a straight right combination.

Round three found Charlo landing a low blow without much effect on Gonzalez.  He was warned by referee Kenny Bayless and the round continued.  Gonzalez began to show obvious signs of fatigue by puting his arms down and breathing with his mouth open.

Even though he had been warned about the low blow, Charlo landed another low blow in the fourth round.  This left hook had power behind it and actually dropped Gonzalez.  His face showed nothing but excruciating pain and it looked as though he might use the full five minutes allotted to him.  Bayless, meanwhile, took a point away from Charlo.

After the round, Charlo’s corner told him not to worry about the point deduction and to just relax.  He was instructed to forget about the body shots and just shoot uppercuts while Gonzalez was covering his face.

Charlo came out strong and determined in the fifth round with straights and backed Gonzalez. Gonzalez was not active at this point and was just protecting his face, however, a powerful right hand from Charlo dropped him and sent him through the ropes to the edge of the ring.  He did not land the punch but it had enough power behind it to make contact with Gonzalez’ gloves and knock him down as a result of squaring off and not having balance.  Gonzalez quickly got up with a smile on his face and continued taking punishment for the rest of round.  Charlo moved in for the kill but Gonzalez was saved by the bell.   The punch stats for the round were 40% landed for Charlo but only 11% for Gonzalez.

In between rounds Gonzalez complained to his corner of a cramp on his right leg and had it massaged.  The commentators believed this may have been a result of bad footing.  As round six began he came out swinging but showed no determination after that with the exception of a few one-two combinations and smothering Charlo.

After the end of the round, Charlo’s corner told him Gonzalez was ready to quit and to get him in the corner again.  They also tell him to use uppercuts when his guard was high.  Punch stats for the round showed Charlo landing 21% of his jabs and Gonzalez 14%.

Shortly after the seventh round began, Charlo took the advice of his corner to heart because he landed two straight rights, a left hook and an uppercut only for Gonzalez’ corner to stop the fight.  Charlo won by TKO at one minute and 23 seconds of the seventh round.

“J Rock” Williams gets decision win against Eliezer Gonzalez 

The third event of the night consisted of an eight round junior middleweight match between Julian “J-Rock” Williams Jr. (17-0-1, 10 KOs) from Philadelphia, PA and Eliezer “Pop” Gonzalez” (14-1-0, 9 KOs) from San Juan, PR.  Williams, who was wearing red, white and blue in honor of the 9/11 anniversary, is known to be a very active fighter and had a reach advantage over Gonzalez at 72.5”.

Gonzalez, wearing black with Puerto Rican colors, had said he had not had as many fights as he wanted due to managerial problems.  He also stated he came to Las Vegas to avenge the defeat of his fellow Puerto Rican Felix Trinidad by William’s fellow Philadelphian Bernard Hopkins.  In addition, Gonzalez was also trained by Felix Trinidad Sr.

The first round of the fight started out with both boxers meeting at the center of the ring, Gonzalez with his guard high and Williams with his left hand lowered almost in a teasing manner.  Gonzalez started stepping back as Williams pressured forward with a wider stance.  They both tried to feel each other out; typical of any first round activity, but they eventually started landing power punches almost in an attempt to end the fight early.  Before the end of the round, Gonzalez took a power left hook to the face from Williams.

Round two began by Williams effectively using his straight right as instructed by his corner to back up Gonzalez.  He was also sticking the jab with precision and Gonzalez did not seem to do much to avoid it.

The third round was interesting because Williams began bobbing and weaving more and began talking to Gonzalez.  As to what exactly he was saying, that is not know.  He began landing more punches with his quick hands and Gonzalez was able to land a one-two combination before the end of the round.  Punch statistics showed that both of them were even in punches landed at 29%.

Round four started out with both boxers getting tangled and referee Jay Nady breaking them up.  Williams’ corner instructed him to set up the knockout but Gonzalez continued to clinch.  A powerful uppercut by Williams backed Gonzalez.  As Nady tried to separate them again, Gonzalez tried to punch Williams in the back of the head as his back was turned to him.  Nady warned him for this and for holding, signs that he was becoming desperate.

As the fifth round began, Williams’ corner told him to throw more than one punch at a time but the most he was able to do in the round was land a big right hand.  The power punches for the round were at 47% for Williams and 28% for Gonzalez.  It was the half-way point of the round and Gonzalez was aware he was losing the fight but he was still trying to stay in it.

The eight and final round began and still no signs of fatigue from either fighter.  Both came out to finish strong.  Before the end of the round, Williams was able to land a fierce right hand before getting another one-two combination from Gonzalez.

Williams went on to win the fight by unanimous decision with a 35% rate of punches landed compared to 21% for Gonzalez.

Errol Spence stays unbeaten with convincing win against Bolanos

The second event of the night was an eight round middleweight bout between Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) from Desoto, TX and Noe Bolanos (26-11-1, 16 KOs) from Obregon, Mexico.  Spence, the 24 year-old former 2012 Olympian southpaw is known for using his reach advantage and was clearly going to be able to do that in this fight.  He had a 72” reach compared to Bolanos’ 69”.

Round one began and Spence came in with a very high guard, almost hypnotizing Bolanos.  Bolanos came in with a decent guard himself.  They both came off to a very slow start in order to feel each other out.  Spence was looking for his range with his quick hands, particularly his almost invisible jab.  Bolanos, on the other hand, was not avoiding the punches.  He was moving to Spence’s left at times, as one would expect an opponent to do with a southpaw.  However, he still seemed to be hypnotized by Spence’s movement and was standing right in front of him at times.  Unfortunately for him, he was not able to find his reach and tag Spence.  Spence was very active throughout the round and was landing with precision and power.

In between rounds, you could hear Derrick James in Spence’s corner asking for the jab while Jesus Fuentes, in Bolanos’ corner, was telling him in Spanish to circle to the left.

The bell rang and round two began.  Bolanos was still missing on his punches and falling forward after losing his balance.  At one point, Spence landed a mean left hook and the crowd sounded as if though they felt it just like Bolanos.  Spence, however, kept his composure and did not look for the finish.  Spence, unlike Bolanos, was able to use his hand speed to block his punches as well as for attacking.

The round ended and there seemed to be some confusion in Bolanos’ corner.  He told referee Robert Byrd that he could not go on because he had injured his left hand during the round.  This was a point of comical relief for commentators Paulie Malignaggi and Brian Custer as they seemed to have believed that it was impossible for him to have hurt his hand since he never used it to block a punch.  They go on to say that that it was actually Spence’s hands that convinced Bolanos not to come out for a third round.  The fight ends and Spence wins by TKO.  Final punch stats for the fight were 45% landed by Spence and 25% by Bolanos.  Bolanos landed 14 punches throughout the fight.

Josesito Lopez prevails after defeating Rafael Cobos on an unanimous decision.  

The first fight of the night was a scheduled eight round welterweight bout between Josesito “The Riverside Rocky” Lopez (33-6-0, 19 KOs) from Riverside, CA and Rafael Cobos (15-5-5, 3 KOs) from Tijuana, Mexico in which Lopez gained the unanimous points decision.  Lopez, who is currently ranked 11^th in the WBC welterweight division, was hoping to use this as a stepping stone after losses to Canelo Alvarez and Marcos Maidana.  He has won 3 fights since these losses.  He is hoping to fight Amir Khan by the end of this year.

As the first round began, Cobos came out very active with his jab but seemed to be very heavy on his front foot.  Lopez, who seemed to have the height and reach advantage, was setting the pace with his jab and trying to keep Cobos at a safe distance.  Cobos, however, did not seem deterred and kept moving forward and began to clinch Lopez.  Lopez used this time to connect with a few body shots.  For a few seconds, Lopez actually seemed to step back as Cobos attacked and they both traded and clinched once again before the bell rang.

Round two started off with Cobos complaining that he was getting hit behind the head and clinching Lopez more to avoid his punches.  At this point, referee Tony Weeks had to separate them in what would be one of many occasions throughout the fight.  Lopez was still able to connect, though, and landed a massive right hand to the head before the bell rang.

The third round of the fight began with Lopez putting more pressure on Cobos and aiming for the body.  In one instance, he threw a straight left to the body.  One can only speculate that he was hoping for a weaker mid-section on Cobos’ part and that this would lead to a finish.  Instead, Cobos continued to get tangled on purpose with Lopez to prevent further punishment.

At this point in the fight, Cobos still had a high guard and was bobbing and weaving but without much effect.  Lopez had a slightly lower guard and was coming in straight but was using better balance and foot-work to attack and evade counterpunches.  By the end of the third round, Lopez landed 37% of his punches while Cobos landed only 27%.

Round four did not see any sign of tiring on either side, however, Cobos was still not able to find his reach despite his spurts and flurries.  They both smothered each other for the most part until Lopez was able to land an uppercut to the chin and push Cobos to the ropes before the bell rang.

At the halfway point of the fight, Cobos turns the heat on and begins to increase the pressure, gains his confidence and faints punches.  He definitely does not seem shy at this point of the fight.  They both begin to pick up the pace and Lopez capitalizes on his left hook.  The statistics for this round showed 47% power punches from Lopez and 27% from Cobos.

The following round showed Cobos bleeding from his nose but not deterred from trying to win this fight.  In between rounds, Gerald Espinoza from Cobos’ corner instructs him in Spanish to use his overhand right.

Round seven of the fight showed Lopez increasing his tempo and Cobos lunging with his left hook but still missing for the most part.  He was also protecting himself more by lowering his elbows and moving them closer to his body, showing signs that Lopez’ strategy with his body punches had worked.  Most of the round still consisted of a lot of grappling.  At the end of the round, each boxer waited for the other to make a move.  When Cobos started off after Lopez, Lopez quickly landed a one-two combination.

The eighth and final round consisted of much of the same material throughout the rest of the fight: grappling and Tony Weeks breaking up the boxers.  At the end of the fight, it is safe to say Lopez never expected to go eight rounds with a B level boxer like Cobos.  This was actually not one of his best performances and at times seemed like a sparring session.  This is an indication he may have to go back to the drawing work and do some more work before he takes on the likes of Amir Khan.  The statistics for the fight overall fight showed Lopez with 30% punches landed and Cobos with 26%.  Lopez went on to win by unanimous decision.

– Nader Gamez / @NaderGamez

– Contributor for www.BehindtheGloves.com

Ortiz (22-0, 19 KOs) dropped Kayode approximately a minute into the first round. Kayode (20-1, 16 KOs) beat the count and was later stunned with an Ortiz left hook followed by a flurry of unanswered punches. Referee Robert Byrd stepped in and stopped the contest with seconds left in the round.

Although few punches landed cleanly, Byrd felt Kayode had taken enough damage. Kayode voiced his displeasure with Byrd after the stoppage.

With the stoppage, Ortiz becomes a mandatory challenger to WBA regular heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev.

The co-main event saw Juan Manuel Lopez (34-5, 31 KOs) versus Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar (25-1, 19 KOs).

Lopez, 31, entered the ring with hopes for one more big-payday and another shot at a world championship. The former two division champion contemplating retirement after being knocked out by Fernando Vargas July 12.

Cuellar retained his WBA interim featherweight championship.

Lopez was knocked out in the second round after Cuellar forced him against the ropes and landed a three-punch combination. Referee Kenny Bayless immediately stopped the bout as Lopez dropped to the canvas.

Lopez’ devastating loss to Cuellar derails his hopes and may likely force him into retirement.

Also in action on the card, Jermall Charlo stopped Norberto Gonzalez in the seventh round in his quest to landing a world championship bout.

Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) had a point deducted in the fourth round after landing a lowblow on Gonzalez. Charlo dropped Gonzalez (20-5, 13 KOs) in the fifth round with a straight right hand. Charlo inched closer to a world championship opportunity with the win after having his hopes delayed when Carlos Molina was arrested days before their IBF junior middleweight championship bout March 8.

Josesito Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs) was also victorious in a lackluster performance against Rafael Cobos. Lopez dictated the action by effectively landing body shots on Cobos (15-5-5, 3 KOs) en route to a unanimous decision, winning 80-72 on each scorecard.

Lopez, 30, earned his third consecutive win after suffering consecutive loses to Saul Alvarez and Marcos Maidana. The Riverside native’s name has been in the running for possible opponents for Amir Khan in December.

Thursday’s performance could possibly tamper hopes of a December showdown with Kahn.

Errol Spence Jr. and Julian Williams were also victorious Thursday night.

-Jose Quintero/ @JoseSwift8755

US Managing Editor for www.BehindTheGloves.com

Carlos Molina signs with Al Haymon

IBF junior middleweight champion Carlos Molina has signed with influential power broker Al Haymon.

Molina was set to defend his title against Jermall Charlo on March’s Canelo Alvarez-Alfredo Angulo pay-per-view undercard but was picked up on an outstanding warrant related to a crime about a decade old.

With Haymon in his corner, Carlos Amado Molina certainly should be able to get his legal matters in order and return to the ring quickly.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com

Keith Thurman, Julio Diaz weights & photos from Carson

Fighters weighed in Friday afternoon ahead of the Showtime televised triple header, and everyone made weight.

Keith Thurman weighed in 145.6 pounds while opponent and former lightweight titlist Julio Diaz weighed 146.8 pounds.

Returning from his defeat to Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthysse weighed in at 140 pounds while John Molina weighed 139.2.

WBC lightweight champion Omar Figueroa weighed 134.6 while Jerry Belmontes weighed 134.8.

Brazilian 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao weighed 161.4 pounds and Francisco Najero weighed 158.

Jermall Charlo 158 vs. Hector Munoz 158.

2012 US Olympian Joseph Diaz Jr. weighed 122.8, Luis Maldonado weighed 121.6.

2012 US Olympian Terrell Gausha weighed 154.6, Charles Whittaker weighed 155.6.

Frankie Gomez weighed 143.2, Orlando Vasquez 143.

Sharif Bogere 141.2 vs. Arturo Urena 150

Bryant Perella 146.8 vs. Roberto Crespo 146.6.

All photos courtesy of Esther Lin / SHOWTIME.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com

Keith Thurman-Julio Diaz and undercard media workout quotes and photos

LOS ANGELES (April 23, 2014) – Nine of the talented boxers who will fight on a top-notch, action-packed Golden Boys Promotions‘ fight card this Saturday, April 26, at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., participated in a Media Workout Wednesday at the Westside Boxing Gym.

In Saturday’s main event live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, following the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana Episode 20, undefeated, hard-hitting Keith Thurman (22-0, 20 KOs), of Clearwater, Fla., will defend his WBA Interim Welterweight Championship against former world champion Julio Diaz (40-9-1, 29 KOs), of Coachella, Calif.

Former world champion Lucas Matthysse (34-3, 32 KOs), of Trelow, Arg., and John Molina (27-3, 22 KOs), of Covina, Calif., clash in an important collision of power-punching junior welterweights in a 10-round bout, and unbeaten WBC Lightweight Champion Omar Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, risks his 135-pound belt against a nemesis from his amateur days, Jerry Belmontes (19-3, 5 KOs), of Corpus Christi, Texas, on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.

The main event on SHO EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT) will pit promising unbeaten junior welterweight Antonio Orozco (9-0, 15 KOs) of San Diego, Calif., against Mexico City’s Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (32-8-1, 16 KOs). Other SHOWTIME Extreme scraps will include Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KOs) against Albuquerque’s Hector Munoz (22-12-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight match and time-permitting, 2012 Brazilian Olympian Yamaguchi Falcao (0-0), of Sao Paulo, against Carlos Badaldua (pro debut), of Tijuana, Mexico, in a 4/6-round middleweight fight.

Unbeatens Frankie Gomez (welterweight, 16-0), of East Los Angeles, and 2012 U.S. Olympians Joseph Diaz Jr. (super bantamweight, 9-0), of South El Monte, Calif., and Cleveland’s Terrell Gausha (super welterweight, 8-0) will appear in non-televised fights. Also, Sharif Bogere (lightweight, 23-1), of Las Vegas, will box off-TV. The first live preliminary begins at 1 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-8425.

What the boxers said Wednesday:

KEITH THURMAN, WBA Interim Welterweight World Champion

“What excites me most is being in the main event. They could have put me on other cards as a co-feature, but this shows me respect and I want to thank Golden Boy for that.

“Every fighter has to take it one fight at a time, and I’m going in Saturday to do my job.

“Diaz had some great performances against Shawn Porter and he gave Amir Khan a great fight. Diaz is a former world champion. They say he’s a veteran with a lot of experience. But I’m 25 and have been at this for 18 years, so I’m a veteran, too.

“Winning on Saturday is obviously very important. Others in my division are already name-fighters, but I’m just starting to build mine. I’m still coming up in the world of boxing. So this is a chance for me to show that I’m not like all others.

“I expect Diaz to fight his heart out. He says he plans to knock me out. I don’t know if that’s fight hype or his strategy, but I’ll be ready. I want guys who come to fight. I want to make and be in the best fights. On my record I have an ‘O’ but I’m not afraid to let it go.

“I’ve known Shawn Porter and his Dad for years. I know they’re calling me out. When the time is right, we’ll fight. I expect to fight for maybe another 10 years.

“I work very hard and count my blessings that I’m where I’m at. I love the support the fans give me. We’re going to give them a real fight on Saturday.”

JULIO DIAZ, Former World Champion

“They said I was an old man three years ago and said it was time for me to retire. Actually, I’ve been hearing the same thing for 15 years. They said it when I lost my title. They said it when I got knocked out. But I’m still here and Saturday I’m getting a shot at another world title.

“I’ve always felt like a world champion, which is a reason that I’m able to come back and win fights no one thinks I can. The biggest mistake I made, I think, was staying at lightweight too long. I think I fought at 135 for 12-13 years.

“They say I have no chin but since moving to 147 I haven’t been dropped. I haven’t even been moved.

“I definitely feel I beat Porter the first time (December 2012), but they called it a draw. In the second fight he outpointed me but in both fights I know I hurt him, and I dropped him. People forget that, and look at Porter now. His status has really grown.

“Going against Thurman is a very dangerous opportunity for me, but one I have to take. I have to take a big risk in any fight that comes my way to get the big reward.

“Keith Thurman is for real. He’s getting all the attention. But that’s the way it always is before my fights. Let’s see what they’re saying after our fight on Saturday.”

LUCAS MATTYHSSE, Former World Champion

“All fights are important but this one is especially very important for me to win so that I can get back to where I was in the division.

“In my last fight (a points’ loss to Unified Super Lightweight Champion Danny Garcia), I thought everything was going my way until I caught an elbow in my right eye. I don’t think it was a punch, but it turned the fight around.

“I felt I was dominating, fighting with two eyes, but with one eye he got the momentum. It was disappointing, I thought my career was on the fast track and I gave it 100 percent, but I could not fight like I wanted.

“I don’t believe the defeat has derailed me too badly, but I need to win against Molina to show that I am back.

“Molina is a strong, confident fighter who comes forward. In his knockout victory against Mickey Bey, I saw a very hungry fighter. But I didn’t really see a whole lot more from him. I have fought and beat much better.”

JOHN MOLINA, Junior Welterweight Contender

“I feel like I’ve come full circle and I’m right where I should be.

“Fighting at 140 is a gift for me. This is my second fight at junior welter but I feel better than I ever have. So moving up from 135 will not be a factor.

“The bad loss to (then lightweight world champion Antonio) DeMarco was a few years ago (August 2012) but I needed that to become the pro that I am today. I now have the experience of fighting on the big stage that I didn’t then.

“The odds are against me each time out but I have a fighting spirit and I have a desire to win against all odds that others don’t. There was never any self-doubt.

“Against the kind of fighter Matthysse is, I have the opportunity to show what I’m really all about. I showed it once against Bey on SHOWTIME and I’m confident I can do it again on Saturday.”

OMAR “PANTERITA’ FIGUEROA, WBC Lightweight Champion

“One difference between when Belmontes and I used to fight and now is that I’m a full-grown man. Now, I have the size advantage. I’ve sparred with the likes of Amir Khan, Tim Bradley, the late Edwin Valero and Julio Diaz. Working with them has helped me cover all my bases and now I’m a world champion.

“Jerry’s been talking forever about fighting me. But it hasn’t just been a one-way street. I’ve been wanting to fight him, too, since the amateurs. Believe me, it got to the point where I would have settled just to spar a few rounds with him. I’m very vengeful when it comes to boxing.

“On Saturday, I’m looking forward to shutting him up for good. To be able to do it on television and get paid for it, well, what’s better than that? My goal in every fight is to punish my opponent and hurt them.

“I had a hard fight against (Nihito) Arakawa in my last fight but I think I showed I could deal with a great deal of adversity and still win. I hurt both my hands in the fight which is why I had to cancel a title defense. But my hands feel great now and my preparation for this fight has been great.”

JERRY BELMONTES, Lightweight Contender

“He says we fought three times in the amateurs but I say five and I beat him all five times. As far as I can tell, he still fights the same way. He comes forward, possesses no defense and likes to get hit. He’s always fought like that.

“Our fights were 12-13 years ago, but I remember beating him easily, basically by out-boxing and out-moving and out-working him. If he gets frustrated on Saturday, just like he always does, I know I’ll have him again.

“I always wanted this fight. My confidence is way up. I’m faster, quicker, and love to fight in the pocket. I’m finally listening to my corner. They brought me in as an opponent for Will Tomlinson in my last fight, but I defeated him on a decision.

“I only have five knockouts, but I’ve hurt everyone I’ve faced. I just didn’t finish them. I’ll be more than willing to exchange on Saturday.”

YAMAGUCHI FALCAO, 2012 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist From Brazil

“I cannot tell you how excited I am about fighting. I really want to show the world and my country, Brazil, that the Yamaguchi they saw in my debut on Jan. 25 in Brazil was not me. The fight ended in a no-contest and it was very, very disappointing. It was not good for me and I felt terrible about what happened. That’s why I am so looking forward to Saturday.

“After winning a bronze medal and my brother a silver, we came back and were treated like heroes. My first fight was supposed to be all about me, like a coming out party. I was in the main event, an eight-rounder. The buildup was great.

“I won the first three rounds, but in the fourth round my opponent spit on me. I raised my hands up in the air in front of my face, like ‘what the heck was that all about.’ Then the referee stepped in and my opponent spit on him too. The ref then sent us to a neutral corner. Then, he disqualified us both and the fight was ruled a no-contest.

“I was so embarrassed.”

JERMALL CHARLO, Undefeated, World-Ranked Junior Middleweight

“Ever since my world title fight fell through (against Carlos Molina, due to Molina’s legal issues), it’s been back to square one for me. But that’s part of boxing and I’m learning from it. I’m still young and this is part of my job. As bad as I wanted it, it came and went. I know I’m gonna get my world title shot sooner or later. They can’t keep dodging me forever.

“I’ve been training and I’m just excited to be fighting again, I’m hungrier than ever, feel I’m at the top of my game. I set a goal to be a world champion, and that is still my goal. But I am starting all over again.

JOSEPH JO-JO DIAZ, Promising, Unbeaten Super Bantamweight

“This is by far the most experienced opponent I’ve faced. He has 50 fights. I expect him to come out and try to use his experience, show me some head movement, vary his attack, anything to try and get me out of my game plan.

“But I’m prepared and ready to do what I do best. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity and ready to show everybody that I am ready for these kinds of guys and can compete with them.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ESTHER LIN / SHOWTIME & TOM HOGAN / HOGANPHOTOS

# # #

ABOUT THURMAN vs. DIAZ, a 12-round fight for Thurman’s Interim WBA Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, April 26, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. It will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air as the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-feature, Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse faces hard-hitting John Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight bout that is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. In the opening bout of the telecast, Omar Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight title against fellow Texan Jerry Belmontes. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.homedepotcenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports, www.twitter.com/StubHubCenter, www.twitter.com/KeithThurmanJr, www.twitter.com/JohnMolinajr135, www.twitter.com/OmarFigueroaJr and www.twitter.com/Jerry_Belmontes, follow the conversation using #ThurmanDiaz or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/StubHubCenter.

Photo courtesy of Tom Casino / SHOWTIME

Revisiting Canelo-Angulo

Last night, Saul Alvarez found the win column as he stopped Alfredo Angulo after nine-and-a-third lopsided rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Here we go over Saturday night’s winners and losers.

Winners

Canelo Alvarez - The way this fight came to an end had me nearly putting Canelo in the loser’s portion of this. I fully believe that referee Tony Weeks made a good stoppage when he halted the bout in the tenth after another of infinite uppercuts rocked Angulo’s head back brutally. Unfortunately, that wasn’t unanimously felt across social media and many cried foul on the stoppage. Those in attendance also loudly booed the result, which isn’t fair because Angulo showed zero signs that he was in the fight or had a chance and Canelo was putting on a dominant performance up to that point. Canelo also caught some flack after coming in at 155 pounds at the weigh-in, though it is unclear whether or not he broke any rules in doing so.

Jorge Linares – The once highly touted “Nino de Oro” has fallen on hard times more than once. Linares was the Golden Boy equivalent of Humberto Soto, as in, he jumped weight divisions without ever beating the top competition on his climb. Linares found the 135 pound division a difficult one as he’s been stopped twice. On Saturday, he easily outpointed Nihito Arakawa in a bout that was moved to the pay-per-view portion of the card when Omar Figueroa fell out due to injury. With the combination of a win as well as Ricardo Alvarez losing to Sergio Thompson (a former conqueror of Linares) elsewhere on the shot, Linares has likely earned his own opportunity against Figueroa. That bout is a Fight of the Year candidate and a pretty winnable fight for the Venezuelan. One win could erase all his hardship to this point.

Losers

Golden Boy Promotions and Showtime - It can’t fully be put on the backs of GBP and Showtime that this PPV card was largely a dud. Omar Figueroa getting injured and Carlos Molina getting arrested before Saturday certainly sent them scrambling, but let’s not pretend that Figueroa against overmatched Ricardo Alvarez or Carlos Molina would have saved the PPV. The best prelim fight on the PPV was the opener as Sergio Thompson outpointed Canelo’s older brother, but what are the chances we even see him again? It is obvious at this stage that GBP needs to put a legitimate opponent in with Leo Santa Cruz, as even he put on a bit of a snoozer with outsized Cristian Mijares.

As for Showtime, on paper it wasn’t a bad lineup of fights. The problem is they’ve set the bar so high due to their many tripleheaders and quadrupleheaders in the past few years that it is hard NOT to feel cheated when you spend $60 and get what you got on Saturday, four one-sided bouts. It is similar to the way fans felt when Juan Manuel Marquez rematched Juan Diaz. Though it was a rematch of a Fight of the Year and featured a helluva undercard (on paper), the matchups didn’t live up and it left you wondering why you paid for something that HBO was giving you for free just a year ago. Was Saturday’s card any better than Andre Berto against Jesus Soto Karass? It would be smart of Showtime kept these tune-up fights off PPV. It is a difficult idea when Canelo’s minimum purse requirement is probably astronomical. Is it possible GBP and Showtime are putting themselves in a hole? Time will tell, but it will be interesting to see the PPV buy rate battle between Stephen Espinoza and ESPN’s Dan Rafael on Twitter over the next few weeks.

Alfredo Angulo - It is not so much that Angulo lost on Saturday night, but he took an ungodly amount of punishment in the process. Angulo has revealed himself to be more of a gatekeeper than true contender, but was able to cash in as a PPV headliner, for the first and probably the last time. Angulo can’t possibly sustain taking many more beatings like the one he did in Las Vegas, and to tack that onto the one he took from James Kirkland a few years ago makes it even less likely. It seems as though Angulo and trainer Virgil Hunter just aren’t the right match for each other and Angulo should take a slow route on the comeback trail. Unfortunately for Angulo, Golden Boy Promotions aren’t keen on bringing too many of their guys back slowly, and it is more than likely he gets thrown in with one of their many rising 154 pounders. Would it really surprise you guys if after a couple of overmatched opponents at 160 pounds, he was fed to Peter Quillin?

Carlos Molina - The IBF junior middleweight champion was set to earn in the ballpark of 250k for his title defense against Jermall Charlo on the PPV undercard on Saturday. Those hopes were dashed when Molina was apprehended on the backbone of a long standing warrant for serious charges. Molina lost out on his payday and remained behind bars when the bell rang for the first bout that evening. His career is up in the air and he’s now also facing deportation back to Mexico. As Alfredo Angulo can attest, earning your way back into America can be a difficult process, particularly if you’re a fighter with a less than appealing style as is the case with Molina.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com

Molina-Charlo scrapped, Alvarez-Thompson added to PPV

LAS VEGAS (March 7, 2014) – As of Friday morning, Carlos Molina has officially become unavailable for his junior middleweight championship title defense against Jermall Charlo originally scheduled for tomorrow night. In light of these circumstances, the 10-round lightweight showdown between Ricardo Alvarez and Sergio Thompson has been elevated as the opening bout of the four-fight SHOWTIME PPV®presentation of “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The 32-year-old Alvarez (23-2-3, 13 KOs), a lightweight contender and brother of Canelo, will face the power punching, 30-year-old Thompson (28-3, 26 KOs) in what is expected to be a slugfest between two Mexican brawlers.

In Saturday’s main event, Mexican boxing superstar and former world champion Canelo Alvarez will face hard-hitting countryman Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo in the first blockbuster boxing event of 2014. Saturday’s live pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

-PRESS RELEASE

Canelo-Angulo press conference quotes and photos

LAS VEGAS (March 6, 2014) – The fighters and their camps stayed classy and soft-spoken yet confident during Thursday’s final press conference for “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” taking place this Saturday, March 8, live on SHOWTIME PPV® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from MGM Grand Garden Arena.

In Saturday’s 12-round super welterweight main event, popular Mexican boxing superstar and former world champion Canelo Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs) faces game and aggressive, upset-minded countryman Alfredo Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs).

Exciting, unbeaten two-division world champion and current WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz (26-0-1, 15 KOs) will defend his 122-pound belt against former three-time world champion Cristian Mijares (48-7-2, 22 KOs) in the co-main event. In other PPV matches, former two-time world champion Jorge Linares (35-3, 23 KOs) takes on offensive-minded Japanese contender Nihito Arakawa (24-3-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight scrap and IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KOs) is scheduled to defend his 154-pound crown against undefeated Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KOs).

Molina is facing some legal obstacles, however, and as of late Thursday, his fight with Charlo was in jeopardy of being cancelled.

Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions and the emcee at the final press conference streamed live at sports.sho.com, alluded to the uncertainty of Molina-Charlo and announced that, if necessary, it would be replaced with a 135-pound matchup between Ricardo Alvarez (23-2-3, 13 KOs), an older brother of Canelo, and Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson (28-3, 26 KOs).

“There are some issues which Carlos Molina is facing related to some outstanding warrants,” Schaefer said. “His legal team and his promoter are currently working on trying to sort these issues out and have him ready, hopefully, for the weigh-in and ultimately for the fight. I know that Molina wants to fight and I know he has a team behind him which is going to do whatever it can to get him here in time.”

Tickets for the event promoted by Golden Boy Promotions are on sale and priced at $600, $400, $200 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Movie theater tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Below is what the fighters, their camps and executives said at Thursday’s final press conference at The Hollywood Theatre inside the MGM Grand:

CANELO ALVAREZ:
“There isn’t much more to say – I’m ready to go. Boxing is about style and I think with his [Angulo’s] style and my style it will be a war. We are going to give you a war. I always say talk is cheap so we’ll see what happens on Saturday night.

“It is a big responsibility to headline on pay-per-view. It shows the end result of everything I’ve done in the gym.

“I’m going to give it my best. I’m going to get the victory.

“Angulo is a very dangerous opponent. He doesn’t mind getting hit as long as he can hit back. It’s a fight that can change in one punch on either side.

“I’m calm and tranquil because that’s part of the preparation for this fight.

“I know I’m strong, I know what I have to do. I will follow my game plan and come out with the win.

“Angulo keeps coming forward, breaks you down and keeps coming. It’ll be challenging to get a knockout against a guy like Angulo, but you can’t blame me for trying.”

JOSE “CHEPO” REYNOSO, Canelo’s Manager:
“At this point, there is not much to say except that all of us in Canelo’s camp are ready. Both fighters are ready to fight. Saturday, the world will see a great fight between two Mexican warriors.”

EDDIE REYNOSO, Canelo’s Trainer:
“We’ve had a great 10-week camp. It’s always tough to be away from our families, but this is our job. We are well aware that Angulo is a dangerous puncher who can change everything with one punch. That being said, we’re ready for him, whether he wants to stand or to box. Canelo also has a punch. On Saturday, Canelo is going to give his fans a great victory.”

ALFREDO ANGULO:
“I want to thank everybody – Golden Boy Promotions, SHOWTIME, MGM Grand, all those working on this event, my team – for this opportunity and for their faith in me. I’m ready.

“I’ve been working very hard for this fight, and I could not be in better condition.

“Between Canelo and me, this is going to be a great fight, a really, really great fight.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Angulo’s Trainer:
“This is going to be a remarkable night. It’s going to be a savage affair. I sense a storm coming. There’s something about this fight that has me thinking, anticipating that it is going to exceed everything we’ve been expecting and be something we’ve never seen before.”

LEO SANTA CRUZ:
“This is my first time on pay-per-view and to be the co-main event is very exciting. Thanks to everyone who got me to this place.

“I just feel 100 percent ready. I know Mijares is a great fighter. I watched him fight when I was growing up and getting my career started so I know this is going to be the hardest fight of my career. But that’s why we trained really hard – to give a great fight to all the fans and to make the fight of the night.

“It’s going to be really hard [to be the fight of the night] because Canelo and Angulo are great fighters so we’re going to have to work really hard to beat them. But we’ll try our best and give our fans a great fight.”

CRISTIAN MIJARES:
“I don’t have much to say. The fight is almost upon us. Like Leo, I can guarantee that his is going to be a war on Saturday night. It’s almost time. I just want to make weight. I’m definitely ready to fight.”

JERMALL CHARLO:
“I’m 17-0, 23-years-old and fighting on the big stage at MGM. I definitely feel I belong with Canelo and all of the other young fighters. I’ve been on weight for a month.

“Obviously, I want the fight to happen. If it doesn’t, I will fall short of my goal. I know I’m ready, my team is ready, and the city of Houston is ready for me to bring home that world title. I’m going to continue to train and think like it is happening.

“I’m sure I will be very, very disappointed if it doesn’t [happen]. When I was first told that something was up with Molina, I thought they were playing with me, figuring here I am, on the eve of being on boxing’s biggest stage, there’s no way we don’t fight. But it was not a joke.

“If we don’t fight, I’m just going to work that much harder.”

JORGE LINARES:
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity. This is going to be an important fight and it’s going to be a very, very tough fight. Obviously, my opponent is a very tough fighter. It’s a big stage on pay-per-view so I’m ready for this. It’s going to be a tough challenge but that’s what it’s all about.”

NIHITO ARAKAWA:
“I have prepared myself very well for this fight. I thank Golden Boy Promotions for giving me this opportunity, just like they did last year. I may not have the most experienced record on this card, but I can assure you that I will give 100 percent of myself for this. I’m looking forward to a great fight the day after tomorrow.”

RICARDO ALVAREZ:
“My fight with WBC Lightweight Champion [Omar Figueroa Jr.] fell out, but I’m still here, I’m still ready to fight. We all know accidents happen in boxing, but I’m happy to be here on this big stage. I’m here and I’m ready to fight.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
“There seems to be a shift going on. More and more fighters, trainers and media members are starting to say, ‘You know what, I’m changing my opinion. I think Angulo is going to knock Canelo out.’ And I think it is this kind of sentiment that shows you what we want to do – we want to put on great fights. Of course, each guy wants to win and they know how important it is for them, their fans and Mexico. Both Canelo and Angulo don’t need any extra motivation. They know it’s a very dangerous fight.

“Talking about warriors and TOE TO TOE action, it doesn’t get any better than the fight between Leo Santa Cruz and Cristian Mijares. Leo is one of the most exciting fighters in boxing and Mijares is a former world champ who wants the belt back. Neither fighter is afraid of anyone.

“If I could watch Nihito Arakawa every day I would. He is the definition of a modern-day gladiator. He fights with hearts, guys and he is everything a fighter should be. We’re all looking forward to watching him and Linares in what should be a war.

“We believe Ricardo Alvarez is ready to fight for a world title. He has to do a little detour because of the injury to Omar Figueroa Jr., but he’s facing an extremely tough fighter in Sergio Thompson.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vic President General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports:
“Over the last year, SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME PPV have become the premier destination for big-time boxing. SHOWTIME has given boxing fans more live fights, more replays of classic fights and more total hours of boxing programming – and we’ve done it with state of the art technology like the 4K cameras and super slo-mo replays and social media integrations, things our competitors aren’t doing. We are committing more resources to boxing programming than anyone else in the sport today – and the viewers have responded enthusiastically, as our audience share has increased by leaps and bounds.

“Our success has been the result of two key factors: (1) We work with first-class partners such as Golden Boy Promotions and the MGM Grand and (2) is the quality of our fights. We put on great fights, competitive fights and this card is a great example. It’s an entire card of pay-per-view-action fighters that is guaranteed excitement.”
# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In world title fights on the undercard, two-division World Champion Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World title against former three-time World Champion Cristian Mijares and Carlos Molina will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. The four-fight telecast, which opens with a 10-round lightweight bout between Jorge Linares and Nihito Arakawa, will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast in over 400 select movie theaters across the country.