Press Releases
Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout and undercard final press conference quotes.
Canelo vs. Trout Super Welterweight World Championship Unification Fight
Saturday, April 20, LIVE on SHOWTIME® from Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion
“I want to thank everyone for their support…all of the media and everyone that’s helped me get here.
“I’m very happy to be here and I wish the fight was here already.
“I think words mean very little. On April 20th, we will fight and the best fighter will win.
“To be honest, I don’t feel any pressure. I believe that if you’re scared or anxious it’s because you’re not ready. I’m ready. I’m confident about this fight. As a matter of fact, I’ve never felt this ready in my life.
“I’m the kind of fighter that knows how to adapt. I can adapt to my opponent’s style anytime.
“On Saturday, expect to see two champions fighting with everything they have. I’ll be fighting with everything I’ve got.
“Knockouts are unpredictable. I can’t say that I’m going to knock Trout out, but I also can’t say I won’t.
“I’m always trying to better myself. I’ve been training very hard, and God willing, I’ll come out victorious on Saturday. I’ll show my fans what I’m made of.
“This fight is a great test for me, but it’s a difficult one. Trout is a complicated fighter with a complicated style, but I like challenges. I enjoy challenges and that’s why I’ve accepted this fight, because it’s a big challenge.
“I feel good. I feel as good as I’ve ever felt. I’m ready.
“I feel the adrenaline. I’m eager to walk into the ring and hear that bell.”
AUSTIN TROUT, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion
“I want to thank Canelo Alvarez for being a hungry fighter, making his demands known and putting his foot down to make this happen. I’m a hungry fighter and I want to fight the best.
“I’m not worried about the officials or the judging. I’m not worried about being in a hostile territory. All I can worry about is the opponent that I have in the ring.
“We’ve worked hard in this camp because we know who we’re going up against. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, but we never asked for easy. We want these challenges to prove our worth to the boxing world and that I’m the best 154-pound champion. On Saturday, we’re going to let our fists do the talking and I have no doubt that my hand will be raised.
“It’s all about the experience. He may have more fights, but I feel like I have more experience than he does between my amateur career and the opponents that I’ve faced. My last fights, aside from Miguel Cotto, everybody has been bigger. I’ve fought some middleweights and super middleweights.
“This is something that I’ve been dreaming about, literally, for the last two months. I wake myself up boxing him, throwing punches and what not. I’m a very visual person so it’s been something that I’ve been visualizing and now we get to see it come to real life. I believe it’s going to play out the way I’ve been seeing it in my head.
“Trout Nation is a lot bigger than they [Team Canelo] thought. We have a lot of fans that are here and excited about me fighting in San Antonio. The love is very heartfelt and I’m just soaking it all in.
“I’m expecting to see a win in my favor. I’m expecting to see a good fight, I’m expecting nothing but the best from Canelo. We’re just excited to go in there and get this WBC title that we’ve been looking for.
“He’s never fought anybody my size. The fighters he’s faced have been welterweights and even junior welterweights. He’s done what he’s supposed to do with everyone that they’ve put in front of him, so I give credit to him for that, but, at the same time, I’m not cut from the same cloth as those guys.”
OMAR FIGUEROA JR., Top Lightweight Contender
“This is a great fight card. I think the main event will be the best fight of 2013. I’m as excited for the main event as I am for my own fight. I’m not going to say I’m going to win my fight, I’m not going to say I’m going to lose my fight, the only thing I can promise is that I’m going to fight with the heart and the passion that I always fight with, and hopefully, we come out on top.
“I don’t think he [Abner Cotto] will be the toughest opponent I’ve faced. I think Michael Perez was the most formidable opponent I’ve had and we all know how I came out in that one. We’re hoping for the same result in this one.
“Being able to fight in front of this many fans is an honor, but being able to do it in your own home state is a blessing.
“We worked hard for this fight and it’s hard to believe it happened. I used to be in that back row [on the dais] and now I’m sitting in the front with the champions. It’s just a dream come true.
“I’m looking forward to a good fight. I want the best for the fans. They’re what make this sport happen, so I just want to give them my best.”
ABNER COTTO, WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Champion
“I can tell you that I’m ready for this fight. This is biggest fight of my career.
“We know our opponent Omar Figueroa Jr. very well. We know that he’s a very strong fighter, but I’m ready for this fight and will bring the victory home to Puerto Rico.
“We love challenges and Saturday is going to be a prime example.
“I want to thank my team, all the fans that bought tickets and everyone watching on television. It’s going to be a great fight.”
JERMALL CHARLO, Top Super Welterweight Prospect
“Saturday is going to be crazy with 40 thousand people in the stands. I’m part of the future of boxing. Everyone needs to tune in.”
JULIAN WILLIAMS, Top Middleweight Prospect
“I’m really excited to be on this card. It’s a blessing. I want to fight one of these guys someday [pointing to Canelo and Trout].
TERRELL GAUSHA, 2012 United States Olympian
“I’m blessed to have the opportunity be on this big stage around so many great fighters. I want to put on a great performance.
“One day I’m going to be sitting in one of these front seats [pointing to Canelo and Trout].”
RAUL MARTINEZ, Top Bantamweight Prospect
“It’s a great feeling to be in the presence of fighters like Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya and to be trained by Jesse James Leija.
“Being on a card with Canelo and Trout, both great champions, is what boxers dream of. It’s so motivating for me. I’m in the gym everyday training hard and it’s paying off.
“I want to welcome everyone to the Alamodome. Get there early and watch me get a great knockout.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions
“Neither one of these guys [Alvarez or Trout] had to take this fight. This is great for the sport that we love dearly.
“Austin Trout is willing to take on any comers. It goes to show you Austin Trout’s character. He isn’t afraid to go into his opponents’ backyards. He’s a fighter that went into Miguel Cotto’s backyard in New York City and had a tremendous victory against a tremendous champion.
“You don’t see fights like the one you’re going to see Saturday night [often]. Fighters are usually too afraid to take on the best in their division, but not these two.
“[On Omar Figueroa vs. Abner Cotto] This is the type of fight we look forward to…young, undefeated guys that aren’t afraid to take a risk.
“If you’re going to go out there and take a risk and fight hard, then there is no loser. Win or lose, great fighters will be back for more. This is what makes boxing the sport that it is. These fighters are going to come out and fight with their hearts.
“[On Canelo vs. Trout] When you put two young hungry fighters together, you get the best. The fans will be the winners because they know they will see a great fight.
“We call Canelo the total package, not only for his abilities, but because he wants to face the best.
“This is a testament to Canelo’s confidence in his skills. We are truly excited to be working with Canelo.”
JESSE JAMES LEIJA, Former World Champion and Texas Boxing Legend
“The history of the Alamodome and boxing goes back 20 years, since 1993 when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker. Don King had six months to get that fight together. We had about six weeks.
“We have 40 thousand people coming and that is because of these amazing fighters and the fight card on Saturday night.
“Mike Battah and I have been working very hard to make sure everyone comes out and acknowledges that we have two great fighters and one great night.”
MIKE BATTAH, President of Leija and Battah Promotions
“We’re building boxing again in Texas in a big way and it’s happening this Saturday night.
“We’re very happy, proud and honored that fans support us here. This is what boxing is about.
“I want fans to keep coming to the fights and I will work until I die to make this sport the best.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports
“Events like this are a pleasure to work because of the excitement and visibility they generates by themselves.
“I’d like to thank Leijah and Battah Promotions. SHOWTIME has a long relationship with Jesse James Leija going back to some of his biggest fights and it’s a pleasure to be working with you again. Most of all, I’d like to thank these two young superstars that we’re going to see on Saturday night.
“Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout are two of the biggest young stars in boxing today and they didn’t have to fight each other. These are two champions at the prime of their careers and they deserve credit for taking a difficult fight.
“This is one of the most highly anticipated fights on SHOWTIME since the days of Mike Tyson. I can’t tell you how much attention, how many calls, how many ticket requests I’ve received. Nothing else compares to it since the Mike Tyson’s fights.”
NICHOLAS LANGELLA, Alamodome General Manager
“Oscar De La Hoya is an institution here in San Antonio. The Alamodome is very excited to be bringing this highly coveted match-up to our city.
“San Antonio has long been a host to many championship events. Saturday night continues that long tradition. Welcome to San Antonio. We are going to have a great time on Saturday night.”
JOSE “CHEPO” REYNOSO, Canelo’s Manager
“At this time, there’s not much to say. I don’t have many words. All I can say is that on Saturday, Canelo will come out victorious and we’ll be dedicating this win to Rigoberto [Canelo’s brother].”
EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Trainer
“We have a our work cut out for us as always. We’re very focused on our work. We’re ready for battle.
“A champion that is at this level made it here because of a lot of hard work and dedication.
“We’ve worked really hard to show that Canelo is the best 154-pound fighter in the world and that he’s ready for the fight.”
BOB SPAGNOLA, Trout’s Manager
“I just want to give thanks to Greg Cohen and Al Haymon. I want to thank Austin Trout and his trainer Louie Burke, who I include in Austin’s small circle of family.
“We’ve traveled all around the world trying to find opponents for Austin. It’s a tough business, but we’re here now.”
HECTOR SOTO, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions
“Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions have a very important alliance. Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto have great names in boxing and we’ve joined forces to make the best fights in boxing.
“Abner Cotto is hungry and he’s ready for this fight on Saturday. He’ll become champion someday.”
JOSE SULAIMAN, President of the WBC
“I have a special place in my heart for San Antonio. I lived here about a year, my first year at Trinity University.
“I haven’t been traveling much because I’ve had some health problems, but I had to come to this fight.
“Canelo Alvarez is the number one champion in the world and the biggest Mexican superstar.”
# # #
Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for Canelo’s WBC title, Trout’s WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and will be a WBC lightweight semi-final elimination bout for the vacant NABA Lightweight Championship and Cotto’s WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Championship. The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Newly released tickets priced at $150, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are limited to eight per person and on sale now only at the Alamodome box office
Argentina
Three Punch Combo: What’s in the Cards for Spence, Kell Brook, and Cotto?
THREE PUNCH COMBO: Errol Spence Jr. scored an impressive knockout victory against Kell Brook on Saturday to take Brook’s IBF welterweight title. Both fighters now face interesting possibilities as they move forward in their respective careers.
Spence, who entered the fight with a lot of questions, not only showcased his tremendous skills but proved he has a very good chin as well as the willingness to dig deep when needed. He is without a doubt a future superstar in this sport. With momentum strong right now, he would be wise to be as active as possible even if not landing one of the big names his next time out.
I sense that Spence’s advisor, Al Haymon, will in fact get him back in the ring this summer. One name I would speculate as an opponent is Adrian Granados. Coming off a debatable loss to Adrien Broner, Granados has earned another shot at a top fighter. Granados is not a big puncher, but will put forth a good effort. The translation here is that he is someone that can be sold to the public as an opponent for Spence while bigger names are lined up, and also someone against whom Spence can in all likelihood look impressive once again.
After a summer tilt, I would expect to see Spence back in action towards the end of the year in a more substantial fight. Keith Thurman will still be on the mend at this point, recovering from elbow surgery, so that fight is out until next year. But Haymon has plenty of other welterweights and one that I suspect he steers toward Spence will be Lamont Peterson. Peterson is a name and has a belt. He also has a stated desire to want one of the big names next along with the payday that it would command. With Thurman out, this would seem the likely immediate path for Spence as such a fight would draw plenty of attention and be easy to sell.
As for Brook, he is going to need an extensive rest before restarting his career. He suffered a beating as well as an eye injury in September against Gennady Golovkin and then suffered another beating as well as injuring his other eye against Spence. After a rest, expect to see a tune- up bout followed by a massive fight in the UK against Amir Khan. The Khan fight has always been big and one of the reasons it has not been made is that it could frankly be made anytime with it still being a very significant event. Considering where both fighters are presently in their respective careers, the timing seems right for it to happen sooner rather than later. They both get a big payday and the winner gets well positioned for another big payday in what is a loaded territory at welterweight and junior middleweight.
Errol Spence Jr. and Kell Brook gave us a great fight on Saturday. While their career paths will head in different directions, expect to see both involved in big events once again down the road.
Miguel Cotto’s Future
Miguel Cotto announced this week that he would be returning to the ring on August 26th to face Japanese brawler Yoshihiro Kamegai for the vacant WBO junior middleweight championship. Cotto, who split from his promoter Roc Nation last week, will work with Golden Boy Promotions for this fight which will be televised by HBO.
This is an interesting development in the career of Cotto. Reportedly HBO had not been interested in televising the proposed Kamegai fight unless it received assurances from Cotto that it would lead to a bigger fight to be televised by the network. Also, Golden Boy’s involvement in the promotion signals that they could be involved in Cotto’s future. Obviously, this would mean the opponent for a big fight for Cotto would come from under the Golden Boy banner.
The obvious choice for Cotto’s big fight opponent is David Lemieux. Lemieux has been chasing a fight with Canelo Alvarez. However, with Alvarez deciding to go after Gennady Golovkin, Lemieux gets left on the outside looking in. In need of a big fight for Lemieux, Golden Boy saw an opportunity with Cotto having been previously negotiating the Kamegai fight with Roc Nation. A fight between Cotto and Lemieux makes sense for both as Cotto wants a name who isn’t a slick boxer and Lemieux wants a big fight with the payday it commands as well as the opportunity to put a signature win on his resume to bolster his future ambitions.
But I also think Golden Boy has another potential plan for Cotto. Golden Boy’s main cash cow, Canelo Alvarez, is in a high risk, high reward fight with Golovkin in September. There is no rematch clause if Alvarez wins and, of course, a win by Alvarez cements him as a mega star in the sport. He will be eyeing a return in May 2018 during Cinco de Mayo weekend. With momentum behind him, Alvarez would be wise to seek a name opponent to further boost the event. A rematch with Cotto would not only do huge business but keep the momentum going. For Cotto, it would be a chance to avenge the loss from 2015 to Alvarez and give him one massive payday as his career nears a conclusion.
Miguel Cotto is determined to close his career out with something big and it appears likely he will get his wish.
Kudos to Golden Boy
When Golden Boy announced its new series on ESPN this winter, I was cautiously optimistic in the fights they would produce. I must say that the matchmaking thus far on this series has been superb and is getting even better with some recently announced cards. These are the types of televised shows the sport needs to generate some badly needed positive buzz.
On June 17th, Pablo Cesar Cano takes on Fidel Maldonado in a junior welterweight contest. This fight is not only very evenly matched but can’t be anything except a slugfest given the styles of the two fighters. Cano is a high pressure fighter who is willing to exchange to get his own punches home. Maldonado has the ability to box, but often gets drawn willingly into wars. In 2015, he had a back and forth shootout with Amir Iman in a fight that got some talk in fight of the year chatter. As a matter of fact, round three was probably round of the year that year. Maldonado has a tendency to fire back when he gets hit and with Cano’s style Maldonado is going to get hit a lot. This one is guaranteed action and a perfect fight for television.
About two weeks later, Golden Boy returns with another ESPN card featuring a high stakes junior featherweight contest between Randy Caballero and Oscar Negrete. Caballero is an undefeated former bantamweight belt holder and is a very skilled boxer puncher. Negrete, also undefeated, has shown much improvement inside the ring in his last few contests. The styles of these two should mix well to provide an entertaining fight. It is also evenly matched, and with so much at stake we should see the best of both men inside the ring.
One point I harp on a lot is the importance of good matchmaking, especially in televised fights. Golden Boy is doing an excellent job so far with their new ESPN series providing high quality, well-matched fights. The boxing public is taking notice and Golden Boy deserves much praise in delivering excellent events for the fans.
Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel.
Canada and USA
George Foreman Youth Center in Houston Hosts Amateur Event
George Foreman Youth Center – -Starting with the ring of the bell on October 22nd, local area boxers will be fighting for a spot to represent the Gulf Coast Region at the USA Boxing National Championships & in International Travel.
Weight categories will include: Pee Wee 8-9, Bantam 10-11, Intermediate 12-13, Juniors 14-15, Youth 15-16, & Elite 18-40 in both Open and Novice divisions. Winners will represent the Gulf area at the 2016 USA Boxing Elite, Youth and Junior National Championships to be held in Kansas City Missouri December 4-10, 2016. This tournament is a sanctioned event through USA Boxing the National Governing Body of Amateur Boxing and is a feeder to National and Olympic recognition.
The George Foreman Youth and Community Center was founded 32 years ago in 1984 by Olympic Gold Medalist and 2-time heavy weight champion George Foreman. The GFYCC is dedicated to providing a safe and secure location for youth to participate in sports and after school activities.
“This year for the first time in Houston boxing history, we are developing an elite international youth boxing team,” said George Foreman, IV. “The team will be selected for the sole purpose of training and traveling to other countries to gain experience on an international platform and promote cultural diplomacy! Utilizing grant and donor funding this team will be representing the George Foreman Youth and Community Center and will be announced Saturday October 22, at the Gulf Region’s Boxing Championship. The team will be reviewed by my father, 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2-Time Heavyweight Champion, George Foreman Sr. The first international trip for this new Houston team is scheduled for Jan. 2017.”
Doors open for the Gulf Gloves Championships on Saturday October 22nd at 11:00 am with announcements and the presentation of the colors by the United States Army Houston Recruiting Command Baytown Beaumont Company at 12:45 pm. The national anthem will be performed by the internationally acclaimed Houston Brass Quintet! Boxing will begin at 1:00 pm. Championship finals will begin at 1:00 pm on Sunday October 23rd.
Media open workouts for Houston amateur standout boxers will be held Wednesday October 19th at the George Foreman Youth and Community Center at 2202 Lone Oak Road Houston, Texas 77093 at 4:00 pm.
Confirmed attendees for interviews will be:
George Edward Foreman IV: Son of 2 Time Heavy Weight Champion, President of Foreman Public Relations
Marlen Esparza: 2012 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist, 2014 Amateur World Champion, 2006 & 2016 Amateur World Championships Bronze Medalist, Nine-Time USA Boxing National Champion.
Rocky Juarez: 2000 Olympic Games Silver Medalist, 1999 Amateur World Champion, WBC Silver Featherweight World Champion.
Raul Marquez: 1988 Amateur World Championships Bronze Medalist, 1992 Olympic Games Quarter-finalist, IBF Light Middleweight World Champion.
Frank Tate: 1984 Olympic Games Gold Medalist, IBF Middleweight World Champion, NABF Light Heavyweight Champion.
Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz: WBA Lightweight World Champion, WBO Lightweight World Champion, WBA Super-Lightweight World Champion, IBF Lightweight World Champion.
“Sweet” Reggie Johnson: WBA Middleweight World Champion, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion.
In addition to many Houston area professional boxers and Gulf Boxing Association alumni. Event is sanctioned by USA Boxing – Gulf LBC: 16-25-14268
George Foreman Youth Center / Check out more boxing news and videos at The Boxing Channel.
Press Releases
Michelle Corrales-Lewis Named New CEO of NV Boxing Hall of Fame
LAS VEGAS, NV (October 5, 2016) – The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) a non-profit charitable organization which donates to boxing-related causes, is happy to announce Michelle Corrales-Lewis as its new CEO/President. Respected boxing announcer, Rich Marotta, who founded the NVBHOF in 2012, steps down after devoting years of his life to get the organization off the ground.
With a number of boxing greats already inducted, which include world champion fighters, judges, coaches and promoters, the NVBHOF has rapidly established itself as prestigious group not only here in Las Vegas, but around the world. The NVBHOF has multiple fundraising events throughout the year, helping local boxing organizations fulfill their goals to keep boxing alive within the community.
“I took this organization as far as I could and I’m very comfortable where it is at today,” said Rich Marotta. “Michelle is on the scene in Las Vegas, has a myriad of contacts, both in business and with the boxing community, especially the fighters, and is more than ready to completely run the company. She is incredibly capable and has been an indefatigable agent for growth of the NVBHOF the past three years, taking on additional responsibilities each and every year. It brings me great pleasure to announce her as the new CEO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.”
After serving as the NVBHOF Chief Operating Officer for many years, Michelle Corrales-Lewis, is thrilled at her new position within the organization.
“It’s an honor to be chosen as the new CEO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Michelle Corrales-Lewis, widow of former multiple world champion and 2013 NVBHOF inductee, Diego Corrales. “Rich Marotta did a fantastic job building the organization from ground up. His immense work ethic is a great example of how I plan to continue the vision he set forth. My goal is to find a home for the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, one where fans from all around the world can visit on regular basis. The boxing community is filled with wonderful people that we will honor as inductees each year. I’m truly grateful for the wonderful opportunity that has been presented to me by my dear friend Rich Marotta.”
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