Juergen Braehmer is still the European Light Heavyweight Champion. The
prodigy of coach Karsten Roewer saw-off his challenger Tony Averlant in two
rounds on Saturday. 3,200 fans inside the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany
witnessed a vastly improved Braehmer, who is seemingly getting back to the
top of his game.

“We said after my last fight that there was still some room for improvement
– and I proved that today. But my coach and I know that I can even do better
than that,” said the champion afterwards.

The 34-year-old was keen to put his stamp onto the fight right from the
get-go and did so in dominating style. Braehmer controlled the action and
the challenger was only able to react to whatever was thrown at him. The
German was able to neutralize the height advantage of the six centimeters
taller Frenchman by using his jab and throwing single punches to Averlant´s
head and body.

From that point on, Braehmer already knew his opponent’s weak spot. “I
realized in round one that Averlant struggled whenever I hit him in the
stomach.” Said and done! Round two saw the champion starting to land
pinpoint combinations. One of them ended with a hard straight left to the
ribs of his foe. With agony written all over his face, the 29-year-old hit
the canvas and quickly realized that his attempt to get back to his feet was
destined to fail. Therefore, the referee ended the fight after two minutes
and 36 seconds of the round and Braehmer celebrated not only win number 40
as a professional but also his 31. knockout victory.

“Tonight, Juergen only showed us about 80 percent of his abilities inside
the ring. I know that he can do even better and we will further work on
bringing the best out of him”, said coach Roewer.

WBO World Champion Nathan Cleverly, who will have to face mandatory
challenger Braehmer, should be warned. “I hope Cleverly got the message.
When I get to the top of my game, I am extremely difficult to beat,”
promised Braehmer after the fight.

Before Braehmer excited the crowd in Hamburg, Firat Arslan celebrated his
first victory under the banner of Team Sauerland. The former WBA
Cruiserweight Champion won a one-sided affair against fellow German Varol
Vekiloglu by unanimous decision.

Arslan continued where he left off from his clash against WBO Champion Marco
Huck last November. The 42-year-old was chasing his opponent through the
ring. Almost for the whole duration of the bout Arslan was stuck in top-gear
and constantly on the front-foot. Mean left and right hooks shook Vekiloglu,
landing to his head and body. His own punches didn’t carry a lot of power,
resulting in pretty much nothing.

As Arslan was unable to finish the bout early, the decision went to the
scorecards. All three judges saw him clearly ahead, scoring the fight 98-92,
99-92 and 99-91. This was the fifth loss for Vekiloglu in 26 professional
fights. Arslan on the other hand celebrated his 33. victory out of 41 bouts
and will soon get another crack at the WBO Crown.

In contrast to his teammates, Jack Culcay lost his first bout in the pro
ranks and consequently the WBA Intercontinental Light Middleweight Title.
After twelve rounds one judge saw Culcay in front with 115-113 whereas the
other two awarded the fight with scores of 116-112 and 115-113 to Guido
Nicolas Pitto, who won by a split decision.

Also unsuccessful was WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion Dustin
Dirks. The German lost to Oleksandr Cherviak by technical knockout in round
ten after Dirks´ coach Otto Ramin threw in the towel. However, Cherviak lost
his chance to win the title due to being overweight during the official
weigh-in on Friday.

CageSport Interim Bantamweight Championship

Cory Vombaur def. Josh Rettinghouse RD5 Rear Naked Choke 3:38

Cruiserweight Co-Main Event

Brent Knopp vs. John Heath RD3 Accidental blow to the head by Knopp (NC)

UNDERCARD

Alfonso Gonzales def. Darrio Mobley RD1 Triangle Choke 3:13

Austin Springer def. Aaron Martin RD1 TKO(punches) 1:30

Julian Erosa def. Jason Gybels RD2 Triangle Choke 3:49

Zach Skinner def. Arjay Murphy RD1 TKO(punches) 3:03

Kasey White def. Gustavo Lopez UD (30-27) (29-28) (30-27)

Dex Montenegro def. Christian Ortiz UD (29-28)(29-28)(29-28)

Scott McDonald def. Paul Njoku RD2 Rear Naked Choke 2:57

Emanuel Russell def. Trevor Sojot UD (30-27)(30-27)(30-27)

Tacoma, WA (April 28th, 2013) – The Emerald Queen Casino showroom was sold out yet again when Halquist Productions’ CageSport XXIV came into town featuring ten high quality action packed bouts. Two titles were on the line at CageSport as it was the first televised event for the promotion since CageSport XXI late last year.

The 2000 seat showroom was alive as ever as the card was loaded with Northwest MMA fighters that brought in huge fan bases.

As announced last week, the United Fight Alliance (UFA) was in attendance as they plan on televising CageSport XXIV making it available to over 100 million homes. Sitting cage side commentating the event was UFA’s Emmy winning, Jordan “Jay” Adams, and former UFC fighter, Jeff Houghland.

In the main event, Vancouver’s Cory Vombaur (5-2), fighting out of Gladiator MMA and Sports Lab MMA faced Spokane BJJ’s, Josh Rettinghouse for the CageSport Interim Bantamweight Title. Rettinghouse was fighting on short notice as current bantamweight champion, Brandon Hempleman pulled out of the fight for unknown reasons. In the pre-fight interview with Jay Adams, Vombaur stated that he was going to be aggressive in the fight and dominate whoever steps into the cage with him and he stayed true to his words.

Vombaur was able to out wrestle Rettinghouse and control the entire fight with superior ground game. Rettinghouse was in danger of getting caught with a rear naked choke multiple times throughout the fight, but did a good job through four rounds of never letting up and keeping the fight going. In the fifth and final round of the fight, Vombaur was able to wear Rettinghouse down and finally secure the rear naked choke 3:38 into the round. Vombaur becomes the new CageSport Interim Bantamweight Title holder. Hempleman will be forced to fight Vombaur when he becomes eligible to fight again. IF he is unable to, Vombaur becomes the unified

In the cruiserweight title fight between Brent Knopp (4-0) and John Heath (6-6), the fight was stopped twice due to accidental strikes to the head by Knopp. The doctor allowed the fight to continue after the first time, but ruled Heath unable to continue the second time around. Due to the fight not lasting at least three rounds of a five round title match, the fight was ruled a no contest.

The undercard was full of high paced action highlighted by Scott McDonald’s dominate pro debut victory along with comeback fight of the year nominee when Alfonso Gonzales defeated Darrio Mobley. After Dex Montenegro’s victory he proposed to his girlfriend in the middle of the cage, in which she happily said yes. Below are the full undercard results of CageSport XXIV.

Alfonso Gonzales def. Darrio Mobley RD3 Triangle Choke

Austin Springer def. Aaron Martin RD1 TKO(punches)

Julian Erosa def. Jason Gybels RD2 Triangle Choke

Zach Skinner def. Arjay Murphy RD1 TKO(punches)

Kasey White def. Gustavo Lopez UD (30-27) (29-28) (30-27)

Dex Montenegro def. Christian Ortiz UD (29-28)(29-28)(29-28)

Scott McDonald def. Paul Njoku RD2 Rear Naked Choke

Emanuell Russell def. Trevor Sojot UD (30-27)(30-27)(30-27)

Halquist Productions has grown immensely since being televised on ROOT SPORTS in October of 2012, consistently selling out the Emerald Queen Casino Showroom as it continues to be the premier MMA promotion in the Northwest. Many current UFC fighters such as: Bryan Caraway, Miesha Tate, Michael Chiesa, John Albert, and Sam Sicilia have fought on previous CageSport cards, showcasing their talents and earning respect fighting on the most reputable MMA promotion in the region. Tickets are now available for upcoming CageSport XXV set for July 6th, 2013. For more information on CageSport XXIV and all other Halquist Production events, please visit www.halquistproductions.com and visit the official Facebook and Twitter Pages of Halquist Productions, CageSport, and Battle at the Boat.

World Ranked Lightweight contender Ray Beltran scored a ten round unanimous decision over Alejandro Rodriguez at the Erwin Events Center in Austin, TX.

Beltran, 134 1/2 lbs of Austin, TX won by scores of 99-91, 99-91 & 97-93 and is now 28-6. Rodriguez, 136 3/4 lbs of Guadalajara. MX is now 18-10

2012 U.S. Olympian Jose Ramirez remained perfect by scoring a four round unanimous decision over Antonio Martinez in a Super Lightweight bout.

Ramirez landed power shots and rocked Martinez over the four round bout and won by scores of 40-36, 40-35 and 40-35.

Ramirez, 140 1/4 lbs of Avenal, CA is 3-0. Martinez is 1-2-2.

Former two-division world champion Amir Khan struggled to win a twelve round unanimous decision over former Lightweight champion Julio Diaz in a Jr. Welterweight bout in Sheffield, England.

Khan boxed effectively over the first three rounds and built up an early lead. Diaz turned things around in a big way in round four when he landed a hard left hook to the head that but the chin-challenged Khan on the seat of his pants. Khan steadied himself and came back to win round five and boxed very well in round six.

Khan continued to box well until he got clipped with hard combination that staggered him in round eleven. He struggled under Diaz relentless pressure of the last four and a half minutes of the fight.

Khan had built up enough of a lead of and held on for the 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112 and is now 28-3. Diaz of Cochella, CA is now 40-8-1.

Bermane Stiverne scored a twelve round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Chris Arreola in a WBC Heavyweight elimination bout at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

Stiverne was more active and landed some good shots throughout the bout. He dropped Arreola at the end of round round three from a hard right to the head. Each proved tough as power shots were landed by both. Stiverne was effective with the left hook and straight right hand. Arreola proved his mettle as he fought through cuts but continued to come forward.

Stiverne was basically known as a power puncher before the bout showed boxing skills that previously had not been part of his game.

Stiverne. 247 lbs of Miami won by scores of 117-110, 117-110 and 118-109 and is now 23-1-1. With the win, Stiverne earned the mandatory shot at WBC Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. Arreola, 248 lbs of Riverside, CA is now 34-3-1

Sergio Martinez scored a close twelve round unanimous decision over Martin Murray to defend the WBC Middleweight title in front of 45,000 in Buenos Aeries, Argentina.

Martinez boxed well early but started eating some hard right hands from Murray. Murray boxed and moved and focused on the body of Murray. In round eight another hard right hand put Martinez on the deck which quieted the partisan crowd. Murray kept coming on with the right hand and sent the champion to the canvas but the punch was ruled a slip. Martinez did enough to win the final rounds to hold on to the decision which read 115-112 on all cards.

Martinez, 159.4 lbs of Argentina is now 51-2-2. Murray, 159.g lbs of St. Helens, UK is now 25-1-1.

Follow all the action LIVE from Ringside at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn as WBA/WBC/Ring Magazine world Super Lightweight champion Danny Garcia squares off in a grudge match with former two-divison champion Zab Judah. The action begins at 9pm est/ 6 pac with the WBO Middleweight championship bout between Peter Quillin and Fernando Guerrero

12 ROUNDS–WBA/WBC/RING MAGAZINE SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE–DANNY GARCIA (25-0, 16 KO’S) VS ZAB JUDAH (42-7, 29 KO’S)

Round 1 Good right from Garcia..Judah lands an uppercut..2 rights from Garcia...10-9 Garcia

Round 2 Right from Garcia..right to the body..Good left from Judah..2 rights from Garcia..Good right from Garcia but Judah lands 2 good shots at the bell…20-18 Garcia

Round 3 Right from Garcia,,,Good left from Hudah..straight left…29-28 Garcia

Round 4 Garcia jumps in with a right…right..Hard left hook.straight right..good right..39-37 Garcia

Round 5 Garcia lands a right to the body..straight right..left to the body..2 good rights…good left from Judah..right hand rocks Judah..Garcia lands more power shots…49-46 Garcia

Round 6 Garcia drills Judah with hhard right..hes all over Judah…Right buckes Judah badly…trying to figyt back…combination in the corner...59-55 Garcia

Round 7 Counter right from Garcia..body work..right to the head,,69-64 Garcia

Round 8 Right from Garcia..Left from Judah..Hard left from JUDAH BUT A COUNTER RIGHT FROM GARCIA DROPS JUDAH…Left side of Judah;s face bleeding..79-72 Garcia

Round 9 Big right from Garcia..Body shot followed by another right..1-2 from Judah…89-81 Garcia

Round 10 Judah lands a left…Blistering left,,,,Hard left…98-91 Garcia

Round 11 Judah gets in a body shot…left…hard left…wicked right hook…107-101 Garcia

Round 12 Headbutt opens up a huge gash on Garcia forehead…right from Garcia..right..Hard shots from Judah..116-111 Garcia

115-112; 114-112; 116-111 FOR DANNY GARCIA

12 ROUNDS–WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE–PETER QUILLIN (28-0, 20 KOS) VS FERNANDO GUERRERO (25-1, 19 KO’s)

Round 1: Guerrero trying to jab to the body..Quillin gets in a right..good right..Good jab…10-9 Quillin

Round 2 HARD RIGHT AND DOWN GOES GUERRERO…HES HURT…BIG UPPERCUT FOLLOWED BY A RIGHT AND DOWN GOES GUERRERO AGAIN…Huge right buckes Guerrero…20-16 Quillin

Round 3 Big right from Quillin…30-25 Quillin

Round 4 Guerrero lands a left but Quillin lands a better right…Guerrero sneaks in a body shot…Jab..straight left..staright left..2 more lefts..Hard right rocks Guerrero…39-35 Quillin

Round 5 Quick left from Guerrero…left cross..Straight right from Quillin…Hard right..Good in fighting..Hard body shot...49-44 Quillin

Round 6 Right from Quillin..Guerrero lands a hard left…jab…uppercut from Quillin..5 lefts from Guerrero..Wicked left from Guerrero but gets rocked with a right.. unbelievable 2 way action 58-54 Quillin

Round 7 Huge right hand and GuerrerO STUMBLES TO THE CANVAS..BIG RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES GUERRERO AND FIGHT IS OVER

BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 27 – Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce several charitable contributions are being made in conjunction with tonight’s Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah world championship event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Three different charities will benefit from contributions made by the Golden Boy including Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which is supported by top middleweight contender Danny Jacobs, Justadollarplease.org, which was founded by junior middleweight prospect Boyd Melson, and The One Fund Boston, which raises money for families affected by the tragic events that took place during the Boston Marathon on April 15.

“We are so happy to support such a wide range of charitable causes,” said Oscar De La Hoya. “We have such passionate, philanthropic and dedicated fighters on this card and Golden Boy Promotions not only applauds them for their efforts, but is also thrilled to join them in supporting these worthy causes.

“We would also be remised if we did not recognize the victims of the tragedy that took place at the Boston Marathon,” continued De La Hoya. “As a company that promotes athletic competition, this horrible incident really hit home for us and we are happy to support an effort that supports the city of Boston and those affected by the bombing.”

Top middleweight contender Danny Jacobs (24-1, 21 KO’s), who will face Keenan Collins in an eight-round middleweight fight tonight at Barclays Center, overcame a battle against Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer often found in younger patients, making it important to him to support a charity that focused on curing childhood cancers. In that vein, he organized a lemonade stand at yesterday’s official weigh-in to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), which raises money to fight pediatric cancers. Jacobs invited young relatives of tonight’s participants, including Danny Garcia’s twin sisters, to sell lemonade at the weigh-in with all proceeds being donated to ALSF. In order to bolster the donation, Golden Boy Promotions will match the monies raised at the lemonade stand at the weigh-in and donate the funds to ALSF. Donations can be made on Jacob’s personalized fundraising page at http://www.alexslemonade.org.

Junior middleweight Prospect Boyd Melson’s crusade to cure paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries is a battle that he fights every day. Melson (9-1-1, 3 KO’s) donates all of the money he makes in the ring towards spinal cord injury research and his match-up against Edgar Perez tonight at Barclays Center is no exception. As it did for his fight at Barclays Center in October last year, Golden Boy Promotions has once again pledged to match Melson’s fight purse and donate the funds to www.justadollarplease.org in order to help Melson and his team continue to fight for this meaningful cause.

The One Fund Boston will receive one dollar for every punch thrown by all four fighters during the SHOWTIME televised main event between Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah and co-featured bout between Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin and Fernando Guerrero. In an effort to raise awareness of The One Fund Boston, one of the neutral corner pads used during tonight’s event will bear The One Fund Boston’s url (onefundboston.org) along with a Boston Strong logo. Donations can be made by visiting www.onefundboston.org.

NEW YORK–Danny Garcia retained the WBA/WBC?Ring Magazine Super Lightweight championship with a twelve round unanimous decision over former two division world champion Zab Judah at the Barclays Center.

The first few rounds were close but Garcia tried to land the hard right while Judah moved and looked for a win with the jab. Garcia had a strong round four that was highlighted by hard left hook that bounced off the jaw of Judah. Garcia had a big round five as he rocked and buckled Judah with hard right. Garcia was all over Judah and landed many power shots. Round six Garcia come out and jump all over Judah in the corner. he landed some thudding power shots that had the challenger in trouble for mist of the round.

In round eight, Judah landed his best left hand of the night but got countered with a hard right hand that sent Judah to the canvas. Upon getting to his feet a cut formed under his left eye. Judah made it a fight when rocked Garcia continuously in round eleven. A headbutt opened up a huge gash in the middle of Garcia’s frehead in the beginning of round twelve. Judah failed to capitalize on any of the momentum he garnered for himself in the previous six minutes. The two swung and connected down the stretch but Judah’s failure to unleash his left hand earlier probably cost him the contest.

Garcia won by scores 115-112, 114-112 and 116-111.

Garcia, 139.8 lbs of Philadelphia is now 26-0. Judah, 140 lbs of Brooklyn is 42-8.

After the fight Garcia (26-0, 16 KO’s) praised Judah, saying, “It was a hell of a fight. I had to beat the Brooklyn guy in his hometown. I knew he had a lot of pride behind him and he was never going to give up. He is a crafty veteran with power. He hit me with a good shot. He hit me in the eleventh with a left hand that spun me around. It shook me up a little bit.”

He continued “I am a true champion and I had to fight through a storm tonight to prove that. Judah is the craftiest and strongest guy that I have fought so far. I knew he had a lot of power with the left, but I was able to stand my ground and counter it. My game plan was to try to use the jab, but he was stepping around. He was crafty and he took my jab away so I had to do what I had to do.”

Referring to the bad blood between the two fighters, Garcia said, “It’s gone. It’s respect. As you can see, it’s a lot of bad blood. I’ve got cuts. He has cuts. We came here and gave the people of Brooklyn a nice show.”

Speaking on his performance, Judah (42-8, 29 KO’s) said, “It’s boxing and things happen. You win some, you lose some. Danny is a young, tough fighter. I was on my A-game tonight. I worked hard. I had a great training camp and we gave it our best shot.”

When asked if this would be his last fight Judah emphatically responded, “You’re going to see me fight again. Why would I quit?”

Peter Quillin made the defense of the WBO Middleweight championship with a seventh round stoppage over Fernando Guerrero.

After a lackluster first round, Quillin landed a vicious right that sent Guerrero to the canvas in round two. Guerrero was hurt badly and Quillin jumped on him and landed uppercut followed by a right that dropped the challenger for a second time in the round. Quillin was not down as he buckled Guerrero badly with a ghard roght just before the round came to an end. Guerrero was having a solid round four until a big right to the temple buckled him yet again. Round five was an incredible display of courage as both guys took turns landing hard power shots at close range.

Quillin came out in round seven and dropped Guerrero in the opening seconds from a right hand that sent Guerrero rubbery legged into the bottom rope. Guerrero was hurt and ate a huge right hand that sent him flat on his back and referee Harvey Dock stopped the bout at 1:30 of round seven.

Quillin, 160 lbs from Brooklyn is now 29-0 with 21 KO’s. Guerrero, 160 lbs of Salisbury, MD is now 25-2.

After the win,Quillin reflected on his preparation and the fight itself saying, “It’s the journey that is the most important. I have to thank Fernando for coming up, but he couldn’t do it. I had to do it for New York City.

“There is no concern when you are trying to stick to the gameplan. I believed in what my corner was telling me. I value their opinion and fernando came. This wasn’t a fight that was made because we thought that I could beat Fernando Guerrero. He came and had the opportunity. I’m very thankful.

“I’m inpsired by my team. It’s always working to try to do your best. I was working hard to do my best. I put myself through a hard training camp to try to come to this fight and try to look like superman. The sky is the limit.”

Former world title challenger Daniel Jacobs scored a fourth round beatdown of Keenan Collins in a scheduled eight round Middleweight bout.

Jacobs dropped Collins twice in round four from blistering left hooks. Collins continued on until he was battered all over the ring and the fight was stopped at 2:06 of round four.

Jacobs, 161 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 25-1 with 22 knockouts. Collins, 161 lbs of Brooklyn is now 15-8-3.

Former world Welterweight champion Luis Collazo scored a fifth round stoppage over Miguel Callist in a scheduled eight round bout.

Collazo was dominant throughout as he dropped Callist in round three and round five and the fight was waved off at 1:33 of round five.

Collazo, 146.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 33-5 with 17 knockouts. Collins, 147.4 lbs of Brooklyn is 27-9-1.

Eddie Gomez beat up Luis Hernandez over eight rounds to pound a unanimous decision in a Jr. middleweight bout.

In round one Gomez landed some heavy blows and scored a knockdown at the end of the round with a thunderous right hand. Gomez hurt Hernandez with some vicious shots in round two. Hernandez fought back monetarily. In round three, Gomez dropped Hernandez with a short left hook. Gomez continued to pound Hernandez with hard shots. Hernandez face was bloodied from that power shots. Gomez was in cruise control until he started to pummel a battered Hernandez at the end of round seven. Gomez was never challenged in the eighth round.

Gomez, 151 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 80-70, 80-70 and 79-71 and is now 14-0. Hernandez, 148.6 lbs of Ibarra, ECU is now 21-5.

Boyd Melson scored a six round unanimous decision over Edgar Perez in Jr. Middleweight bout.

Melson dropped Perez in round five from a hard straight left. Melson was all over Perez but could not finish him.

Scores were 60-53 on two cards and 59-54 for Melson, 160.6 lbs if Brooklyn and is now 10-1-1. Perez, 161.4 lbs of Arecibo, PR is now 5-4.

2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne scored a second round stoppage over Tanel Goyco in a scheduled four round Light Heavyweight bout.

Browne dropped Goyco in round one from a hard left hand and again in round two from a left / right combination. Browne jumped all over Goyco and Goycos corner stopped the bout at fifty-four seconds of round two.

Browne, 175 lbs of Staten Island, NY is noiw 4-0 with all wins coming early. Goyco, 173.8 lbs of Philadelphia is now 4-6-1.

Zachary Ochoa scored a four round unanimous decision over Calvin Smith in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Ochoa, 140 lbs of Brooklyn and is now 4-0. Smith, 135 lbs of Prichard, AL is now 2-3.

Good looking Bantamweight prospect Miguel Cartagena scored a four round unanimous decision over Angel Carvaljal.

Both guys gave a good effort but Cartagena landed the harder blows and had Carvajal on the defensive after taking those shots.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Cartagena, 114.8 lbs of Philadelphia and is now 6-0. Carvajal, 117 lbs of Chicago is now 2-1

D’Mitrius Ballard scored a second round knockout over Marcus Clay in a scheduled four round Super Middleweight bout.

Ballard dropped Clay in round one from a body shot and again from a flurry of punches in round two and referee Earl Brow stopped the bout at 2:21 of round two.

Ballard, 166.6 lbs of Temple Hills, MD is 2-0 with two knockouts. Clay, 167.4 lbs of Baton Rouge, LA is 2-6.

BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 27 – Representing four of New York City’s five boroughs, top talents from the Big Apple will descend on Brooklyn’s Barclays Center tonight to engage in exciting bouts leading up to the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast featuring Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia defending against former Two-Division World Champion Zab Judah and WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter Quillin meeting top middleweight contender Fernando Guerrero.

Fighters also in action this weekend will be Brooklyn’s Danny Jacobs, Luis Collazo, Boyd Melson and Zachary Ochoa, the Bronx’ Eddie Gomez and Staten Island’s OlympianMarcus Browne.

Remaining are on sale at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

Heading up this New York-centric undercard will be an eight-round middleweight bout between Danny Jacobs (24-1, 21 KO’s) and Keenan Collins (15-7-3, 10 KO’s). A former world title challenger, Jacobs defeated his biggest foe when he recently conquered cancer. Now back in the ring with two knockout wins under his belt, Jacobs will meet the stiffest test of his comeback in Collins. Born in Brooklyn but now living in York, Pennsylvania, the 36-year-old Collins is unbeaten in his last three bouts, so Jacobs needs to be ready for wily Collins.

Former world welterweight champion Luis Collazo (32-5, 16 KO’s) made his own return to the ring after a year away last October during Barclays Center inaugural fight night with an exciting win over Steve Upsher Chambers. In an eight-round bout, the 32-year-old Collazo will look to make it two straight wins when he faces fellow veteran Miguel Callist (27-8-1, 18 KO’s), a Panamanian southpaw who has won five of his last seven fights.

Twenty-year-old Eddie Gomez (13-0, 9 KO’s) didn’t stay long the last time he was in Barclays Center, needing just 77 seconds to dispatch Javier Gomez on March 9. The skilled and powerful junior middleweight will be seeking a similar result when he meets up with Ibarra, Ecuador’s Luis “Morochito” Hernandez (21-4, 14 KO’s) in an eight-round battle.

In a six-round super middleweight bout, popular local prospect Boyd Melson (9-1-1, 3 KO’s) hopes to deliver another fight to remember for New York fans when he takes on Puerto Rico’s Edgar Perez (5-3, 2 KO’s). As is always the case when he fights, Melson will be donating his entire purse to spinal cord injury research.

2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne (3-0, 3 KO’s) has been dazzling in his brief pro career, and if he has it his way, he will make it four for four in his four-round light heavyweight matchup against Philadelphia’s Taneal Goyco (4-5-1, 2 KO’s).

Rising Brooklyn star Zachary Ochoa (3-0, 3 KO’s) will make his Barclays Center debut when he meets Prichard, Alabama’s Calvin Smith (2-2) in a scheduled four-round super lightweight bout.

Rounding out an outstanding undercard card will be a bantamweight battle between Philadelphia’s Miguel Cartagena (5-0, 3 KO’s) and Chicago’s Angel Carvajal (2-0) and a super middleweight matchup pitting Temple Hills, Maryland’s D’Mitrius Ballard (1-0, 1 KO) against Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s Marcus Clay (2-5). Both bouts are slated for four rounds.

# # #

Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia’s Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attraction, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin puts his title on the line against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).

Doors at Barclay Center open at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday with the first fight starting at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Immediately following the world championship doubleheader on SHOWTIME will be a same-day-delayed telecast of former Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Amir “King” Khan, of Bolton, England, against former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz, of Coachella, Calif., in a 12-round 143-pound catch-weight scrap on SHOWTIME Boxing: Special Edition.

BROOKLYN, N.Y, April 26 – The title of “Cancer Survivor” is the most important accolade Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs will ever earn, and this Friday, Jacobs and Golden Boy Promotions will be assisting others in reaching that milestone as well. In order to raise funds and awareness for world-renowned pediatric cancer charity, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, a lemonade stand will be on site at Barclays Center in Brooklyn during the Friday, April 26 public weigh-in of the Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah Unified Super Lightweight World Championship taking place on Saturday, April 27. The stand will be located in the Barclays Center Geico Atrium.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to set up a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex set up that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $60 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 275 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

As Jacobs overcame a battle against Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer often found in younger patients, it was important to him to support this outstanding charity focusing on children. The 26-year-old middleweight isn’t the only cancer survivor playing a major role in Saturday’s highly anticipated boxing event at Barclays Center. Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia’s father and trainer, Angel Garcia, courageously fought stage four throat cancer during his son’s amateur career. The elder Garcia won his difficult battle with cancer, enabling him to guide his son to professional boxing stardom.

Fans and media members can support this cause by purchasing lemonade and/or making a donation at the lemonade stand on site on Friday. Jacobs and his son Nathaniel, as well as some of the families of Saturday night’s participants are scheduled to be on site pouring lemonade to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. In addition to cash purchases, donations can be made via text and check at the lemonade stand. For those unable to attend the weigh-in at Barclays Center, they can support Jacobs’ cause and Alex’s Lemonade Stand through the official fundraising page of Alex’s Lemonade Stand on their website.

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ABOUT “GARCIA VS. JUDAH”:

Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia’s Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attraction, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin puts his title on the line against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).

Remaining tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

For information on the Alex’s Lemonade Stand at Barclays Center, please call:

Julie Goldsticker: (719) 440-1050

Kristin Howard: (339) 236-0484

Gillian Kocher, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation: (215) 593-0088

LAS VEGAS, April 26 – With Las Vegas sure to be buzzing during a weekend of legendary boxing and the start of the Cinco de Mayo celebration, fans at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will get warmed up on Friday, May 3 as Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions are pleased to announce the addition of undefeated contender Anthony Dirrell and rising star Antonio Orozco in separate featured fights to an already stacked card that will air over the course of three hours on FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes. Complementing a thrilling night of boxing, all event guests will have access to a new, socially dynamic nightlife experience curated by a live DJ, dancers, strolling mariachis and an interactive gaming pit.

In the co-main event, scheduled for eight rounds in the super middleweight division, Flint, Michigan’s Dirrell battles an opponent to be named, while in a featured attraction, San Diego’s undefeated top prospect Orozco will meet fellow junior welterweight Jose Reynoso of Riverside in an eight-round All-California showdown.

In previously announced bouts, unbeaten contenders Francisco Vargas (15-0-1, 12 KO’s) of Los Angeles and Jose Aguiniga (33-0, 15 KO’s) of Oxnard square off in the 10-round main event for the vacant NABF Super Featherweight title and 2012 United States Olympians Joseph Diaz Jr. and Errol Spence Jr. return to the ring in a quest to remain perfect as professionals. Dallas’ Spence Jr. (4-0, 3 KO’s) faces an opponent to be determined in a six-round junior middleweight bout while South El Monte, California’s Diaz Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) will take on Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico’s Eric Gotay (3-1, 1 KO) in a six-round junior featherweight battle.

The exhilarating night of boxing action, which will take place on the eve of the “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero” mega-event, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors for the fights, which take place in The Chelsea, open at 6:00 p.m. PT and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. PT. The FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes bi-lingual simulcast will air live at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT. FUEL TV will rebroadcast the fight on July 21 at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT.

Ringside tickets are priced at $100 with reserved seating tickets priced at $60 and general admission tickets available for $30 and are available for purchase at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com.

Returning to the ring for the first time since a devastating 2012 motorcycle accident, former amateur star Anthony Dirrell (24-0, 21 KO’s) is eager to resume his promising professional career on May 3. The 28-year-old successfully battled Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2007 and, since winning that fight, has gone on to win 12 more in the ring, most recently stopping Renan St. Juste in four rounds in December of 2011.

25-year-old Antonio Orozco (16-0, 12 KO’s) lives up to his nickname “Relentless” in the ring and the results have been impressive thus far for the fan favorite. The winner of four straight by knockout, Orozco put on a stellar performance in his last effort against Danny Escobar in November 2012, shutting his foe out for five rounds before knocking him out in the sixth.

Southpaw Jose Reynoso (16-4-1, 3 KO’s) is a crafty fighter in the ring able to adapt to any situation after the bell rings. A pro since 2003, the 28-year-old has won five of his last six, with his only loss coming in a WBO Intercontinental title fight against top contender Ruslan Provodnikov last June. On May 3, he will look to show that the Provodnikov loss was a fluke.

A full undercard will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/MayweatherPromo,www.twitter.com/anthonydirrell, www.twitter.com/PuroOrozco, www.twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr and www.twitter.com/JosephDiazJr and visit the Golden Boy Facebook Page and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.com.

For more information on FOX Deportes visit www.FOXDeportes.com, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes on Facebook.

For more information on The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas visit www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cosmopolitan_lv and

Oscar De La Hoya

Thank you very much. MAY DAY is right around the corner. Obviously, you all know, Floyd Mayweather versus Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, which will be a 12 round fight for Mayweather’s WBC Welterweight World Championship, and the vacant Ring Magazine Welterweight World Championship.

We have a tremendous, tremendous lineup as we told everyone. From top to bottom, it’s really, really solid; exciting. The co-main event features Daniel Ponce de Leon versus Abner Mares. That will be a 12-rounder for Ponce de Leon’s WBC Featherweight world title. And also, after taking a nice little break after fighting five times last year, he’s back, the exciting, powerful machine, Leo Santa Cruz versus Alexander Munoz. That will be a 10-round fight for the vacant USBA Junior Featherweight title.

Also on the card, who will be opening up the pay-per-view telecast, will be a great fight that we have lined up thanks to Mayweather Promotions; his fighter J’Leon Love versus Gabriel Rosado, which should be an exciting 10-round vacant Middleweight NABF title fight. This fight is being held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, promoted by Mayweather Promotions and, yours truly, Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly. Thank you very much to AT&T, once again, and Star Trek: Into Darkness, and Valvoline. This fight is being distributed by Showtime Pay Per View, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET and 6:00 p.m. PT.

We are thrilled, like I said. Obviously, tickets are and have gone really fast; there’s only a few left. So whoever wants to make it to this event live, you can check it out at the MGM. We also have closed-circuit feed available at the Aria, at the Mandalay Bay, at the Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York, New York, which are priced at $50. So whoever hasn’t been down to a closed-circuit event, it really is an event. It’s like being there live. The atmosphere is unbelievable. It’s really worth the $50 that you’ll be paying.

Now, without further ado, I would like to introduce to you, he is the six-time and four division world champion, and he obviously has had tremendous wins. And most recently, he captured the boxing world’s attention by defeating a former Two-Time World Champion Andre Berto in November in 2012 in thrilling, thrilling fashion. An exciting 12-round, unanimous decision.

Now, obviously he’s in the fight of his life here with Floyd Mayweather. It’s a big opportunity and he’s ready for it. He’s ready for it and May 4th will be just another fight for Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. He’s a tremendous fighter; strong, fast, durable. He has a record of 31 and 1, with 18 knockouts, out of Gilroy, California, here is Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero.

Robert Guerrero

Thank you. Thank you, Oscar, for that. I just want to thank everybody that put this together, Golden Boy, Showtime, my team putting in the work; we’re ready to go.

Q

In the Berto fight, Berto fights a style that’s somewhat similar to Mayweather’s and he seemed to land the right uppercut quite a bit in the straight leg. What plans do you have for holding that punch?

Guerrero

You know, everybody’s a different fighter. You can’t compare Berto to Mayweather, so we’ve been working, we’ve been working on a lot of different things. You go back to the drawing board, you assess your performance the fight before and you work off of that and you start perfecting things, and that’s what we’re doing. We perfected a lot of different things that we’re going to be bringing in the ring and putting the defense together even more tighter, so we’re working on everything.

Q

Excellent. He hasn’t fought in a year, and I think only four times in about the last five or six years. Is there a chance he isn’t taking you seriously or how do you think he’s approaching you?

Guerrero

Oh, most definitely Floyd Mayweather’s taking me seriously. After the beating I put on Berto, you’ve got to take somebody seriously, because you know they come out to punish. So I know for sure Floyd Mayweather is taking me seriously. Especially being out for a whole year, you know, like he said, I mean, it’s been his longest training camp in a long time and he’s putting in the work and the time that he needs to be ready for the fight, but that isn’t going to make a difference, because I know his body size. You can see it. Being a whole year laid off, he’s going to feel the punches.

Q

Have you ever sat out a whole year and fought? And what would that be like?

Guerrero

Yeah, I’ve been out a whole year and fought, and jumped right in with a hard puncher and you can feel the punches different. So it takes a little time to shake that ring rust off.

Q

Does that suggest that you need to go after him early in the fight?

Guerrero

Oh, we’re going to go after him the whole fight. Whether the fight ends early or if it goes 12 rounds, we’re going to go after him the whole fight.

Q

Do you think like some people do right now that maybe – and I’m basing this off of Floyd’s last fight against Cotto – he got a little bit more than we’re used to see him. Do you think that maybe Floyd has slowed down just a little bit to where he might be a little bit easier to hit these days when he was, say, a couple, three years ago?

Guerrero

I think Floyd just didn’t take Cotto too serious. Knowing that Cotto’s slow on his feet, slow hands, I think he overlooked him a bit. But, you know, Floyd Mayweather’s a very sharp fighter and a very smart guy. He made the adjustments and got the job done. So I know Floyd’s going to be ready to go. You can’t underestimate him and you can’t look past anything he brings, because, like I said, if he is slowing down, his slower is faster than almost every other fighter out there.

Q

What do you think about a quote from Floyd referring to you as a hypocrite? I don’t know if you know about that; he was talking about the arrest that you took. Any thoughts on that?

Guerrero

Yeah, you know, we’re all hypocrites. Everyone, you know, if you’re a perfect person, you wouldn’t need Jesus Christ. It just goes to show how much he keeps his head in the Bible and he reads the Bible and how much he believes to call somebody a hypocrite. It’s laughable.

Q

Has this unfortunate incident that happened, has it messed with your head at all as you’re trying to train knowing that you still have to go to court for this whole thing?

Guerrero

No, I’m ready to go. You know, there’s nothing stopping me from winning this fight. All the focus is there. I’m in training camp, I’m ready to go, that’s the bottom line.

Q

Richard Schaefer said that you had the gun with you in New York because going to a shooting range is a hobby and it’s something you like to do in the spare time and kind of blow off steam. Can you comment on that at all and just kind of, you know, why you had it with you?

Guerrero

Yeah, you know what, I’m only going to answer boxing questions and that’s it, so, sorry.

Q

I know you’re training a lot around Mt. Charleston. What do you enjoy most about that? What do you get out of it and what’s, maybe if you can kind of comment on how that contributes to your endurance and that sort of thing.

Guerrero

Well, the top of Mt. Charleston, it tops out like at 10-11,000 feet elevation, so you’re getting the best of both worlds. You’re getting a great run, you add the elevation, it’s great for your endurance. It’s like being out …. We’re out in the farm town and you get out in the country, it reminds you of home.

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Q

Do you think that Floyd Mayweather really means the derogatory things that he says about you in [All Access] or is it just to hype the show?

Guerrero

You know, Floyd’s going to be Floyd. That’s part of his game, just getting under your skin and trying to get you off your game, but it ain’t working. So, he’s in for a fight and he knows he is.

Q

And now that you’re in Vegas and all that other stuff is behind you, is everything completely on schedule here as we approach one week before the big day?

Guerrero

Oh, everything’s great, everything’s going good; I’m ready to go, feeling great. The only thing now is just winning the fight.

Q

Last year I know your publicist, he was campaigning hard for a fight with Floyd Mayweather right around this time. I just want to know what has happened if, I don’t want to say if Floyd called your bluff, but if he granted you the fight, how do you think you would have performed last year as opposed to how ready you are right now?

Guerrero

I’m always ready to fight. No matter what fight or fighter it is. Watch my past fights, even the Berto fight; hey, I’m coming to fight all the time. So, I would have been ready then. But I am really ready now. I was ready then, it’s just now I’m even more ready because I had a fight to break in at 147 pounds. He should have picked the fight a year ago.

Q

Do you think it’s more advantageous that you did in fact get the chance, not only to fight welterweight, but to prove to the world that you are actually one of the best welterweight’s in the world?

Guerrero

Oh yeah, most definitely. I was 135 pounds fighting at 47 and now I have field in solid to 147 pounds, so that will make a big difference.

Q

When you were starting out with your older brother and Fernando and the group at the potato shed, being a nine year old kid and showing promise, can you have imagined where you are now, what’s happening right this moment?

Guerrero

As soon as you step into the boxing gym, your goals as an amateur boxer is to be the best fighter you can be, to go to the Olympics, become professional and become a world champion, so it’s always on your mind. And growing up as a fighter, I mean, every fighter grows up with no doubt in their mind they’re going to be a champion and they’re going to work hard for it. And, you know, we’ve always pictured it and now here it is.

Q

And what does it mean to be from Gilroy, and you stayed there even though you’ve made it in your career, you stayed with your roots and stayed with your family and stayed with your friends where nothing’s changed. What does it mean to represent Gilroy against Mayweather?

Guerrero

It means a lot, because I’m from an agricultural town, all the areas around are agricultural and it’s part of our heritage, growing up in the farms and farm working. So it means a lot, it means a lot, especially fighting Floyd Mayweather and beating him on Cinco de Mayo weekend, because it’s a holiday that’s well celebrated and that will be for our Hispanic roots.

Q

Okay, Robert, now you are a very spiritual person. How has your spirituality played a part in your boxing career?

Guerrero

You know, it plays a big part. Not just in boxing, it plays a big part in my life. You know, outside of the ring, with my family, raising my kids in church, believing in Jesus Christ, it’s a big part of my life and that’s what guides my whole life. That goes through my training camp, boxing, being in the ring. It really is the number one thing in my life.

Q

Now you fought Orlando Salido, who was a pressure fighter, you fought Andre Berto who represents power and speed, you fought warriors such as Katsidis and boxers such as Escobedo and Casamayor. And then there were these hard to deal with styles, such as Jason Litzau and they weren’t easy to deal with. I already believe that you are mentally strong, which is an advantage that most of Floyd’s opponents haven’t had. Does fighting so many different styles along with that mentality, do you believe that makes you the optimum to give Floyd his first loss?

Guerrero

Oh, most definitely. I mean, you hit it right on. Having the proper experience to be in the ring helps build a fighter the right way. Then you get the chance to fight different types of styles, so you have different experiences. Then when a fighter gets to the top they’re ready for it and they stay there. Having the mental experience outside of the ring, inside of the ring, putting all that together as a package, it’s a deadly force.

Q

You are a six-time champion in four different weight classes. That’s a marvelous accomplishment and not many people knew that about you coming in. Do you ever fight with a chip? I mean, do you ever feel underappreciated by people who just don’t know your accomplishments?

Guerrero

No, I don’t. You know, all I do is go out there and fight, set my heart and fight the best I can. If it gets recognized, it gets recognized; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But you know what, I know I put God first and he’s blessed me to be in this position. And being in this position, it’s incredible. It’s incredible and it truly is a blessing, and it’s helps me take full advantage of it. After this fight, everybody will know the accomplishments that I have, especially after beating Floyd Mayweather.

Q

You talked a little bit about what it would be like for living on the farm and winning this fight. When you sit by yourself and you dream about beating Floyd Mayweather, tell us a little bit about the inside of what The Ghost feels, the excitement of thinking about beating Floyd Mayweather.

Guerrero

You know, it’s just the opportunity of a lifetime. To be in the sport that I’m in and to be at the top of the game, it’s just a feeling that you have to experience to know how it feels. So, I’m just very blessed and I just can’t wait until after the fight to thank Jesus Christ for blessing me with this huge, huge opportunity.

Q

Now you said you have to know, you have to have that experience to know how it feels. Do you feel more pressure than usual going into this fight?

Guerrero

No, you know what? I haven’t felt that kind of pressure at all. So, you know, being by my wife’s side while she died of cancer, that’s pressure. That’s a lot of pressure, stress. It will break you down. So, coming to this fight, I mean, it’s a blessing, it’s a blessing and there isn’t any pressure there.

Q

You talked a little bit about Floyd being Floyd promoting the fight. When you look back on it was there anything he did that got to you, got to your family?

Guerrero

No, not at all. He can talk, he can say this and that, do whatever he wants, it just doesn’t get to me. It doesn’t get to me because I’m ready for this. I’m mentally ready for this, mentally focused. I’ve been through far worse things than standing in front of Floyd or listening to him talk and getting mad about it. I’m a very grateful and thankful guy, I’m blessed to be in this position, I’m blessed to have my wife here today. I just thank God every day. And by Floyd talking and saying whatever he said and acting the way he acts, it doesn’t bother me at all because I live my life one way and he lives his another way.

Q

Anything that you’ve done to Floyd that you felt like you could look at your wife and say, “We got him.”

Guerrero

No, not at all. You know, I really don’t try to talk down on him or try to get him off his game. Hey, you know what, I know he’s one of the masters at the mental game on breaking guys down and he probably could see right through anything. So, he knows that I’m ready to go and I’m going to go in there and fight and that’s all that matters.

Q

Listen, Robert, when you first got the fight, and I know there was a call with some of the reporters right when you signed for the fight and it was announced, and how you spent some time answering questions talking about one of the things you had said was that you thought that Floyd, at this stage of his career being his age and the layoff and maybe the jail sentence and all that, that he was, I believe the term you used was “right for the picking.” Do you still believe that? I never got the clear answer at that time. When you said that, what sorts of things were you thinking about that led you to believe that this might be the right time to go get Floyd who’s been so flawless for so many years in his boxing?

Guerrero

That’s the way I think about every fighter when they set a fight with me. You know, they’re right for the picking. And I truly believe God puts people in front of you for a reason and God put him in front of me for a reason and I’m going to beat him. So, you know, Floyd Mayweather having a year off and being in jail and stuff like that, it takes a toll on you. No matter what you do, you do have a little ring rust. It’s different from training and sparring, then getting in the fight, so that ring rust is always there until you actually get in that ring and shake it off.

Q

You’re right about that, but he seems to be different from most fighters from the standpoint that he’s had lengthy layoffs. So I wonder, have you watched recent bouts, maybe the Cotto fight, maybe some other fights, and is there anything that you’ve seen specifically in how he’s fought that leads you to believe that maybe the age or the rust is sort of going to catch up to him a little bit?

Guerrero

No when he’s had those year layoffs and came back, everybody was handpicked. He picked a small guy with Marquez. He took Cotto, he knew he could get away with the foot speed and the hand speed. Victor Ortiz, he just took advantage and took the shot, which if you’re so confident, you wouldn’t need to take a shot like that. So, like I said before, he’s going to be fighting Robert Guerrero, and like I said, everybody that signs with me, I think they’re right for the picking because I come to fight.

Q

Obviously you have the record and the resume that you have, but what’s the one thing you think that you do specifically that you think others that have tried have been unsuccessful doing at this point because you’ve been able to maintain that record that you’re going to be better at doing? Whether it’s just power or speed or pressure or whatever the case may be, what in your mind is your greatest asset going into this matchup?

Guerrero

Staying mentally strong and keeping the game plan together, and also being able to change the game plan during the fight when I need to, to make those adjustments. A lot of these other guys weren’t able to do that.

Q

You’ve been asking for this fight for a long time and as opposed to when you were asking for the fight with Marquez, you really, really poured it on and you were very aggressive. Almost to the point of it was almost vicious, and that’s a rare side of you that I don’t see all the time. What is it about this particular fight and this particular fighter that gets under your skin or really gets you charged up? What is it?

Guerrero

It’s not getting under the skin or anything, it’s just wanting to be the best in the sport, wanting to be at the top. With guys like Marquez and Juan Diaz and all these guys that I’ve called down and I’ve been in line to fight, this is the guy. This is the guy. So he’s the man to beat and he’s the man that if you beat him, you’re on top. So we had to attack it aggressively and really push hard. With everybody else, with Marquez, it was win this fight and …and that never happened. And so we had to really push hard. And wanting to fight back to be the best in boxing, hey, we had to do what we had to do.

Q

Robert, a lot of guys are very, have faith, deep faith, and you talk about yours. When you say God put you in this position to humble Floyd, why do you think it’s you as opposed to anyone else? Is it proof of the way you live? Why you specifically?

Guerrero

Not just to humble Floyd, but to humble the boxing world. You get a lot of people out there that think Floyd’s like a god, the way he acts, the way he lives, the way he spends money, the way he boasts about stuff; you get everybody thinking that he’s unstoppable, that nobody could beat him. That with Floyd, there’s no blueprint to beat him. You can’t break him down. But you know what? Being a big believer in God, there’s a blueprint for everybody. There’s a way to beat anything. There’s a way to conquer anything. You put God first, then nothing’s stopping you. That’s what I say, God puts people in front of you for a reason and He puts you in front of people for a reason, and God has me here for a reason.

I look back at my whole career, my whole life, the trials and the tribulations I’ve been through, been right there at the forefront, to be able to become something huge in boxing and I’ve always had to drop two steps back and go a different route. But I’ve always knew that there’s a positive and I’ve always looked at, you know what, it’s a blessing in disguise with whatever happens – the injuries, my wife getting sick – it’s God putting you through the fire to refine you, so when He puts you in that moment, you’re ready to take off and glorify Him. And this is the moment right here. This is the moment, with a guy that nobody thinks that can’t be beat; where everybody’s looking, oh, he’s unstoppable, he’s the best ever, blah, blah, blah, this and that. It’s time, it’s time. God’s putting me in this position for a reason and God’s groomed me and prepped me for this time to take over boxing.

That’s why it’s like a modern day David and Goliath. You got David, who God anointed him and put him through the fire, who took on bears and lions and tigers, wolves, and nobody recognized it. And when it came time to fighting Goliath, everybody thought he was unbeatable. And David came along, took him on and slayed him with a slingshot and some pebbles. That’s why I say, God’s put me in this position for a reason.

Q

Last question is southpaws, two southpaws that have given Floyd trouble, and I’m sure you’ve taken note of this, were DeMarcus Corley and Zab Judah. Do you see anything in the trouble they gave him and is there something even more different about you that can capitalize and kind of finish the job?

Guerrero

Oh definitely the southpaw side gives him trouble. If DeMarcus Corley and Zab Judah didn’t get tired, they were winning that fight and I believe that. I’m ready for this. I’ve had the right fights. I was built the right way. I’ve had the right experience. I’ve been there with a bunch of different styles. I’ve been in there with lefties, a lot of them; I’ve been in with a bunch of different power punchers, prowlers, boxers, sharp guys. But as I say, what I’ve been through, God’s prepped me up for this and here it is.

Q

Mayweather being worried has been well documented in the media. What is it that you feel is of most concern to Team Mayweather?

Guerrero

That he has a young, hungry guy in front of him that can fight and make adjustments just like him. So, he knows he’s there for a fight and he knows come fight night that I’m not backing down.

Q

Over the years, as you’ve moved up in weight, you’ve carried your power very well. Right off the top of your head, which fighter do you feel you have hit the hardest in the ring?

Guerrero

I’m not even sure. I hit these guys. I just hit them and hit them, so it’s hard to say. It’s hard to say. Probably maybe Michael Katsidis. I mean, I hit him with some shots and he kept walking right into them. So, I’d probably have to say him.

Q
Hey, Robert, this is the biggest fight of your life. We already talked about the distractions that you had going into this fight, and in the build-up show on Showtime, saw you get a little snappy when you weren’t able to get your training in. Have you been able to do all the training that you needed to do and how has it been different training for this kind of fight than it has for your past fights?

Guerrero

Yes, I got all the training in. It’s funny to see the show on All Access. The two days I was talking about I hadn’t trained was the weekend, so it was Monday and it was time to get busy. So I was just making sure that we were going to be on training schedule and weren’t going to let none of the media get in the way. So all the training’s been done; I’m ready to go; I’m ready to go right now. Now it’s just winding down until fight night.

Q

You also said that you’ve been wanting this fight for two or three years, so you’ve been thinking about this a lot. What have you seen in Floyd that gives you so much confidence that you’re the man that’s going to take his O away? I heard Oscar talking about the jab is so important. What is your plan, without giving so much of a secret away, what’s your way of fighting Floyd that you have in mind?

Guerrero

You know, being smart in the ring, fighting an intelligent fight. A lot of these guys just come in, they either lose their head or they’re mad at him and all game plans go out the window and also, being able to make the adjustments in the ring. Having the experiences that I’ve had throughout my boxing career and the different weight classes with guys who are fast, guys who are slick, guys who put pressure, guys who are boxer punchers, just having all the experience and putting it all together and being able to recognize to make those adjustments in the ring.

Q

I’ll piggyback off of one statement you said first off. I take it that you do see this fight as a real-life David and Goliath type struggle?

Guerrero

Yes, sir. I do see it as that. A lot of athletes say, “Oh, David and Goliath,” but a lot of people don’t look at the story. They don’t look at the backstory, they just look at when David slew Goliath. That’s all they look at. They don’t look at the whole story, what David’s been through, the preparations he’s been through to be ready for that moment to slay Goliath. People don’t look at that stuff. If you look at my career, you go back and look at everything I’ve been through, inside the ring, outside of the ring, it all leads you up to be ready for moments like this.

Q

So I know you’ve moved up two weight classes. You fought two guys who were expected to be stronger than you and you pretty much manhandled them in both of your fights with them, so do you think that your hand speed and your strength will be a surprising factor for Floyd in this fight?

Guerrero

Oh yeah. It’s going to be a whole lot different for him fighting a southpaw, having quick hands, being able to make adjustments. And also, too, being body strong. A lot of people underestimate how strong I am in the ring. As you’ve seen with Berto, you’ve seen with guys like Michael Katsidis, people underestimate my strength and it really is a big downfall for them. It really makes a difference when you have a strong body, you have fast hands and you have heavy hands, and you also have the skill and the talent to put stuff together and to change different game plans and do different things in the ring and be able to change it up, it really is a game changer for a fighter.

Q

Are you concerned with any tactic, dirty tactics or any other kind of tactics from Floyd? Do you think that they’re concerned with anything like that coming from you?

Guerrero

No, there’s no concern on any dirty tactics. If they get dirty, oh well, they get dirty, but that’s the last thing you think about. That’s the problem with a lot of fighters, they get caught into thinking, oh, this guy’s going to hit me with his elbow or he’s going to use this or that, and that’s all they’re thinking about and it really throws their game off instead of thinking about their game plan and getting to work and doing what they’ve got to do. So I don’t have any no concerns about anything like that. If he has concerns, he better be really concerned.

Swanson

Okay, great. That was our last question for Robert Guerrero and now we are going to transition over to Floyd Mayweather. So, Robert, any last comments before we let you go?

Guerrero

No, I’m just ready to go. Can’t wait until fight night. That’s it. Thank you, God bless and bye.

Floyd Mayweather

I’m on Kelly.

Swanson

Okay, thanks Floyd. Okay, so now I’m going to turn it over to Leonard Ellerbe, Chief Executive Officer of Mayweather Promotions, to make the introduction for Floyd. Leonard?

Leonard Ellerbe

Thank you, Kelly. Thank you all for joining the call today. This has been a fabulous promotion thus far. The promotion is definitely in full swing. You had a chance to see the various platforms we have in place-obviously working with Showtime/CBS. You’ve had a chance to see 30 Days in May. You’ve had a chance to see two episodes of All Access and coming this Saturday on CBS at 8 p.m. Pacific and Eastern you’ll get a chance to see Floyd’s documentary called “Mayweather”, which will be fabulous. With the promotion in full swing and-

Mayweather

Hey L, I didn’t mean to cut you off. Don’t forget about All Access tonight also. Check that out.

Ellerbe

Yes. Be sure to check out All Access tonight. It’s going to be a great show. With that being said, training camp has been great thus far. This has been a phenomenal camp. Floyd has really stepped up. I think you guys will get a chance to see at the weigh in this is the best shape that I personally have seen Floyd in in his whole career. He’s ready to go. His team is ready to go so come May 4th, look for another great Mayweather performance.

So, obviously without further ado, eight time World Champion in five different weight classes, “Money” Mayweather.

Mayweather

Hey, how everybody doing? First, I want to start off by saying I want to thank everybody on this phone for basically helping with the promotion for this fight. I want to thank all the writers that have been writing stories. It’s been a hell of a promotion. I want to thank Kelly Swanson, Leonard Ellerbe, Golden Boy Promotions. I want to thank Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya. I want to let you guys know you guys done a tremendous job and the Golden Boy team and the Golden Boy staff. And Mayweather staff and Mayweather team have done a tremendous job.

Kelly, once again, thank you. I like the way Kelly Swanson-she wrote me letters every day and thank you. You’re the best publicist in the world. I’m not just saying that. I don’t know about anybody else’s publicist that wrote them every day when they were locked up.

And the media-thank you guys for just the stories over the years, for helping me take things to that next level. You guys have been brilliant. You guys have done a phenomenal job and May 4th is another Mayweather week here-May Day. Mayweather versus Guerrero-and I just want everybody to tune in. If you can’t be there, you must buy Pay-Per-View. And what else can I say? It’s boxing. Questions.

Q

I know your camp-you talked about when you announced the fight that your father was going to be training you again for this fight, that Roger would be there also. I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about how it came to be that your dad is back with you-I’m sure everybody’s happy to hear that-and talk about what roles each of them will have working together with in preparation for your fight with Robert.

Mayweather

Well, my dad, of course-he’s a boxing wizard and Roger’s a boxing wizard, so you can’t go wrong with either guy. My dad is the main trainer and of course, like I said before, it’s not like I fired anyone. It’s just that my dad’s a little sick, but he’s a lot healthier than Roger is.

Roger’s very, very-his health is not at its best right now and my main focus is I want a guy that’s in my corner that’s sharp and healthy. But he still works day in and day out with me every day as far as and keeping me sharp. But my dad is the main trainer and Roger still works me day in and day out, but fight night, my dad will be working my corner.

Q

And will Roger be in your corner also?

Mayweather

No, I don’t think Roger will be in my corner. I don’t need both in my corner, but both guys are my trainers of course, my dad is the head guy in my corner.

Q

So did you make that decision besides the health issues that your uncle has been having, did you have some sort of revelation as you grow older you wanted to be closer with the family, bring them back in? I mean, your issues are well documented. We saw some of the blowouts that you had in the training camp before-some of the previous fights. And now it’s just-

Mayweather

Well, my thing is trying to leave all of the negative things behind me and trying to focus on the positive and positive thing for me is just going to the gym every day, doing what I’m supposed to do and working hard to be victorious. You know what I’m saying? Far as me talking about what me and my dad-the argument we had in the past or the difference my dad and my uncle had in the past-that’s the past. That’s why we call it the past because we try to leave that in the past and focus on the future and the future should be bright and at this point in time, everything is going the way it should go.

Q

I know it’s probably a sensitive topic, but everybody knows that you spent a couple of months over the summer incarcerated because of the issues that happened. I’m just wondering if you could talk a little bit about when you’re in the middle of doing that-I mean, you know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and you’re getting out in a certain period of time. But I’m sure it’s not easy to be in that situation to begin with even when you know that there’s an end in sight. And I was hoping you could talk a little bit about what you would do during the course of a day and your reflections on what was happening and maybe thinking about your boxing future and how it maybe had changed you as a person to where you are today as you get ready for this fight.

Mayweather

It’s just an obstacle that was in my way. The only thing you can do when you’re locked up is just do push-ups and read and write-write your fans and write to your loved ones. That’s all I really did. So I think what I thought about every day-I thought about my children. I thought about my family. Of course, thought about my career and I’m happy to be home.

Q

Can you express in a manner in how it may have changed you at all?

Mayweather

Well, I mean it just-anybody should know-your freedom is extremely important. There’s nothing more important than freedom. Once you lose your freedom, you understand that. Freedom is very, very important.

Q

Earlier on in your career, you had your uncle Jeff Mayweather assisting Roger with you training. Do you still talk with Uncle Jeff these days and how’s he doing?

Mayweather

Oh, I talk with Jeff on a regular. What my Uncle Jeff is doing now-he’s a trainer that’s on the rise-my Uncle Jeff. He’s training a lot of fighters-not just in the sport of boxing, but he’s also trained a lot of MMA guys. So, he’s very, very busy in today’s time. I see him- I saw him yesterday actually at the boxing gym. He was there and he comes to my every day and works with fighters. So, he’s doing good. His health is good. I’m happy as long as he’s happy.

Q

Floyd, you have adopted Las Vegas as your home. However, you are originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan and of course, in the first episode of All Access it showed you taking the trip back to your home time. Would you consider fighting at Grand Rapids once more before your career is over with?

Mayweather

As of right now, I can’t say what the future holds, but- As of right now, I’ve got to be loyal to who I’m with and MGM Grand is who I’m with. That’s my home and that’s where I love to perform. I can’t know what the future holds for Floyd Mayweather. I’ve been to Grand Rapids in the past and we’ve done some record-breaking numbers, but as of right now, it’s all about the MGM Grand.

Q

Last week we were talking and you talked about being the face of boxing and trying to set an example for your fighters that are in your promotion team. Could you elaborate a little bit about those responsibilities and why you’re taking it so seriously at this stage of your career to set that-?

Mayweather

Well, you know I only have 30 months left, so I want to just help clean the sport up. What I think is really, really great is that how Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions can sit down and do business-sit down and do business-and nobody worries about who’s getting what and make sure that the main thing is what everybody-

What Mayweather Promotions tries to focus on is letting a fighter win. It’s about the fighter winning because the fighter is the talent. The fighter’s the talent. The fighter’s taking all the risk. So we want the fighter to win, but I’m saying like in the past when you used to see Don King and Bob Arum not really see eye-to-eye. Well Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions-we communicate. We talk and we see eye-to-eye.

Like I said before, Mayweather Promotions-we’ve got to be a game changer. We want to be positive … together with any company that’s willing to sit down and negotiate and talk and be on the same level as us because that’s what it’s about in business. But, it’s all about the talent. My main focus is helping guys get to that next level. If we can help guys go to their next level and hopefully someday surpass me that’s whatever we’re trying to do.

Q

I believe on tonight’s All Access show you’re going to be referring to Robert Guerrero as a hypocrite in light of his gun arrest. Can you elaborate on that a little bit for us?

Mayweather

Well, Robert Guerrero was saying that I basically-money is my God. He’d been saying money is my God and I praise money. And you look at the beginning of my career, you know I always gave thanks to God and you go back to the beginning of my career. I’ve always given thanks to God just for blessing me with the ability that I have, blessing me with the talent that I have.

But, like I said before, this is not about religion. You know what I’m saying? What a person does or doesn’t believe in God-this is not about that. This is about two fighters going out there, testing their skills against one another. That’s what this is about.

You know, you’ve seen the story about his wife with cancer and basically I’m not here to talk disrespectful about anybody’s wife, I’m not here to talk disrespectful about nobody’s religion, because I’m not about that. I support different causes. I support breast cancer and I give back to the less fortunate and I don’t have nothing negative to say about this man’s wife. I don’t have anything negative to say about his religion.

The only I was saying’ was basically on one hand you’re trying to be a role model for children at school. You say you’re going to a school. Then you’re going to the 700 Club. But then as you look closely you see he has Marilyn Monroe on the wall in his house and then he’s driving a truck all over somebody’s lawn.

And then a little while later after leaving the school and leaving the 700 Club this guy is going through the airport with a gun and then they were basically making jokes about me, making fun of me, talking about that Floyd Mayweather couldn’t do his time. I could do my time, but who wants to lose their freedom? There’s nothing cool about losing their freedom. Of course I didn’t want to lose my freedom.

But like I said before, what goes around comes around. They were talking trash about me, very, very bad. Joking about me going to jail. You know? It’s time for him to do his time. So basically, like I said before, he had an opinion and I had an opinion and that’s the only way I feel. And I always said, I’m only human. I went out there before and said I’m only human. I contradicted myself. We all have contradicted ourselves because we are human. But like I said, nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes.

Q

Robert seems to think that maybe-he said, “Having a year off and being in jail could take a toll on Floyd Mayweather.” What are your thoughts on that?

Mayweather

If that’s the way to psych yourself out, to build this confidence, then more power to him. Me, myself, I’m in tiptop shape. I’m in tiptop shape, tiptop condition. I’ve been in the gym working hard, working hard. So if that’s the way to psych yourself out, if that’s the way that he can get himself mentally prepared then more power to him.

Q

Just to follow up on that previous question then. So you don’t feel there’s going to be any rust after not fighting for a year? You think he’s wrong? Do you still feel unbeatable?

Mayweather

I mean of course I feel unbeatable. I mean of course I’m in the sport to go down as the best. I’m in the sport to go down as the best. I’m not going into a fight thinking that I’m beatable. Anything is possible. I’m just saying it might. But as far as my career thus far, I feel what I’m capable of doing. I feel that I can adapt.

And I think you don’t just get to this level, you just don’t get to the level, you just don’t get the pinnacle by not facing and fighting the best competition. I just feel like I was before my time. I beat everybody, I beat everybody in the 90s and I beat everybody early on in the 2000s. Now here we go 17 years later. Like I said, my main focus is to win. I focus on winning and I’m always going to be able to control the tempo of any fight because of my experience.

Q

So you don’t have any concerns about the rust, the so-called rust?

Mayweather

Well, like I said, I’ve took a long time off before. I took a long time off before. This is not my first time taking a year off. This is not my first time taking a couple years off. You know, I just call it a vacation. I think the body needs time to heal. The body needs time to rejuvenate. The body needs rest.

Q

[Guerrero] has said God put him in this position to humble you. What do you make of the notion that he says God put him in this position?

Mayweather

I mean I can’t even comment on it. Like I said before, I mean, once again he believes in God. I believe in God. This is not about-this fight is not about church. This fight is not about being a Catholic, being a Christian, being a Jew, being a Muslim. This is about two fighters competing, testing their skills against one another. That’s what it’s about.

Q

The guys who, in the past, have chose to come and fight you, to test you, Ricky Hatton, Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti, more or less hastened their demise in the fight, got their faces cut up. Cotto had success with that. A large part of that, was that you chose to fight him, stand and fight him more. Do you think he has any option-in know he has some boxing skills, but you think he has any option other than to come to you and fight?

Mayweather

That’s been everybody’s game plan. Just like I know and just like you know, everybody said, “We’ll keep a lot of pressure on Mayweather.” That’s been everybody’s game plan, to keep pressure. You’ve been covering me for I don’t know how many years and everybody’s game plan has been to keep pressure/throw a lot of punches. So like I said before, as long as everybody’s got the same game plan I’m gonna keep having the same game plan.

Q

[Guerrero] had said that he’s fought southpaws that gave you trouble, Corrales and Zab Judah, if he anything like them or-he said southpaw style gives you trouble?

Mayweather

Last time I checked I was 43-0. I don’t think he’s a better boxer than Zab Judah. He’s not faster than Zab Judah. I don’t think he faced the competition that Zab Judah has faced. As far as Corrales, I don’t think-he doesn’t punch as hard as Corrales. I don’t think he’s a harder puncher than Corrales. And we’ll just have to see how the fight plays out.

You guys have covered-everybody’s that’s on this conference call has covered Floyd Mayweather for many, many years. Everybody had a game plan. Everybody game plan was to throw a lot of punches and keep pressure.

But we’ll see how the fight plays out. Everybody has a game plan and my game plan is to just adjust and adapt once I get in that squared circle. But once again, everybody got to adjust and adapt to me because I control the tempo always.

Q

Let me try to rephrase it. Do you feel like you’re in more control now? For most, it just seems like it has a different feel to it. It’s not just Floyd Mayweather fighting in Golden Boy Promotions. It’s not Mayweather Promotions. You’re not just a part of it. Mayweather Promotions is a focal point. It just seems like you have more control on both sides. Would you say-?

Mayweather

It’s more like basically the experience, being around the fight game for so long and just being out here, just coming up with different creative ways to take your fight to the next level. I say the next level as far as the next level I’m always trying to do a record-breaking things.

What’s crazy is I got another documentary coming out this Saturday on CBS called “Mayweather,” and I don’t think you have never seen a fighter that had three shows, three different shows, three different shows for one fight, not three differently completely shows. I’ve got two documentaries and then we’ve got All Access and All Access comes on four or five times and we’ve got two documentaries.

Like I said before, we’re always trying to record-breaking things, doing things outside of the box, but these creative things don’t-my team also has a creative mind. Even Ms. Jackson, she comes up with some ideas and different things. I think that on 30 Days In May she was marvelous.

Q

I know you keep saying you’ve got 30 months left to do it. What do you feel that you have left to do in this sport that you haven’t already done?

Mayweather

Just finish. After this fight I’ve got five more fights. That’s all I got to do. Finish putting them stamps on my legacy.

Q

Is it about wanting to fight anyone or just the matter of, like you said, just kind of recreating the game in those 30 months?

Mayweather

I just want to stay active and continue to go out there to get the fans excitement. Go out there and fight. There’s no specific opponent, because once again, I’ve earned my stripes a long time ago. I’ve proved myself a long time ago. I don’t want to point at one certain guy. “I want to fight this guy. I want to fight that guy.” Like I said, I just take one fight at a time. At this particular time, Robert Guerrero is the guy in front of me. Once I face him then we’ll be ready to fight again in September.

Q

I have just one question then I’ll let everyone else get to it. I brought this up earlier, a year ago Robert Guerrero, he was campaigning hard to try to get at you. Was he even on your radar at the time? I know you were looking at Cotto, but before you agreed to fight Cotto, were you in the thought of fighting Robert Guerrero at that time and what changed your mind?

Mayweather

I’ve got to answer this the right way, the way Leonard Ellerbe wants me to answer it. It’s kind of hard to answer this question. Leonard did let me know the guy-I asked Leonard. He said he did call my name about a year ago, but I didn’t know who he was a year ago. I probably heard of his name, probably heard the name in passing but really never knew who the guy was. They said he fought on my under card when I fought Baldomir. He said he fought on my under card. But he looked good in the fight against Andre Berto. He went out there. He did what he had to do and he fought hard.

Q

A lot of people kind of look back to the fight with Miguel Cotto and pinpoint the fact that you were willing to fight more in the ropes than you generally did kind of in past fights. And you say Guerrero will probably have the same game plan. What would you say is kind of his weakness? What would you say his weakness is? He’s going to try to get you in the ropes, but what would-?

Mayweather

The difference between Miguel Cotto and Robert Guerrero is Miguel Cotto has a lot more experience than he [Guerrero] has. Miguel Cotto came into the fight as a super middleweight at 168. I came in 147. So I was in a super middleweight fighting a welterweight. They’re two total different fighters. Miguel Cotto is a much bigger puncher. So right there that’s the difference in those few things I just told you between the two.

Q

Floyd, just on a previous call Robert said that you handpicked your opponents and an accusation for your opponents actually make. If that’s the case, then you’ve handpicked Robert Guerrero. Let’s just say that you did, obviously we kind of assume that you didn’t, what would you say Robert Guerrero’s obvious weaknesses are, since you apparently handpicked him?

Mayweather

I don’t really know what his weakness are, but he’s flatfooted and he’s more like a grappler. He’s more like a wrestler than a boxer. Like I said before, he’s more like a grappler than a boxer. But I’ve been facing guys forever, and everybody already said what they’re going to do to me and I’ve handpicked opponents. You know they all say, “But he chose the right one this time.” He’s my mandatory so I’m facing my mandatory at WBC. I wanted to defend my WBA title after this fight, but I guess I’m no longer the WBA champ. So I didn’t know I got stripped of my title.

Q

Every fight means a lot to you. What would this one mean to you? Is it just another step in the road?

Mayweather

He’s a solid opponent. I mean I like the guy. The guy is funny to me. When I watch him talk, when I’m watching him talk he’s funny to me. Like I said before, you get a different Robert Guerrero when he’s in front of Floyd Mayweather than the Robert Guerrero that you guys see on All Access.

When he’s in front of me, when we finally had the chance to meet up face-to-face, he had nothing to say. He had no trash talking but once. Once he got to the back of the dressing room, when he was no longer in my face, he had everything to say. Once he’s on All Access and he’s not face-to-face with Floyd Mayweather he got everything to say, but once he’s face-to-face with me he has nothing to say.

Q

What does an opponent have to do to impress you? What do they have to do to kind of impress you or are you very, very hard to impress?

Mayweather

I’m not trying to be impressed by an opponent. I’m going to go out there and do what I do, and that’s just beat the opponent that’s in front of me.

Q

After 17 years in the sport, how can you say that your drive has changed? Or what motivates you compared to when you first started being a boxer and you had yet to achieve the things that you’ve done? What keeps that drive alive now that you’ve achieved so much in boxing?

Mayweather

I guess just the will to win. I’ve still got a lot left. I feel probably if I didn’t’ have anything left then I probably still wouldn’t be in the sport. It’s just the will to win, the will to win. I hadn’t really took punishment in this sport so I still have a lot left because I haven’t took any punishment. If I took a lot of punishment then I probably would’ve hung the gloves up by now.

Q

Well talk about when you first started. When you first started being a boxer, a professional, your first professional match, was the sport everything you thought it would be? Were you a wide-eyed young man-?

Mayweather

No, it’s not everything I thought. It’s a lot of good and-of course it’s like anything. You have a lot of good days in the sport. There are a lot of good things that go on but also there’s a lot of bad things, more bad than good. My goal is just to try to clean up the sport of boxing so the sport can live on.

Q

Well what’s been the key of, I guess, your staying power? When a lot of the guys that were fighting at the same time you were, they’re no longer in the sport. They’ve gone. They’re nowhere to be seen. You, you have just increased your stock almost with each passing year into the stratosphere, so to speak.

Mayweather

It’s just more like basically I think there are a lot of fighters that are content. They’re happy. If it’s 100 levels you’ve got fighters who are happy with just going to level 10, level 20. If I go to 100, I’m not happy with just going to 100. I feel like there’s still more levels to go to. You can never be content. You can never be happy. Continue to try to grow. Continue to try to get better.

Mayweather

You know, I never abuse my body. As far as the alcohol and the drugs, I never abuse my body, whereas you got other fighters they abuse their body with alcohol and some abuse their body with drugs and some let their weight balloon up 30 and 40 pounds. Me, myself, stayed right at my fighting weight.

Actually, I weighed out yesterday in the gym at 147. The day before that I weighed 147 so my weight was made from the beginning of training camp because you have to be-as far as with the boxing, you have to be-this is a year-round sport. This is a year-round sport and I’m dedicated to it. I’m dedicated to it. I’m dedicated to my craft.

Q

You mentioned you grew up in Grand Rapids and you were probably close to an element that has probably taken a lot of people down to your neighborhood, things like drugs and alcohol and things like that. How were you able to keep yourself from that element, stay away from that? How were you able to do that?

Mayweather

Just living and learning from watching. Keeping my eyes open wide. Just watching. Everybody in my neighborhood-as far as hustling, you can make a lot of money but it ends in two ways, either in a jail cell or a coffin. I looked at the bigger picture. I’d rather take my chances with this boxing than taking my chances doing anything that could put me in a predicament that I don’t want to be in. So that’s why I chose boxing.

Q

Last question’s just about, Floyd, you talked about wanting to set records. You set a lot of Pay-Per-View records. That’s all on the record. But in terms of making this fight a blockbuster, is more of that pressure now on you to sell this fight given that Guerrero’s not as well known as Cotto was? He’s not as well-known as Mosley was and he doesn’t’ have all that dynamic of a personality. So is there a lot more pressure on you now to make people want to buy this fight?

Mayweather

He’s a young, tough competitor. He talks a good game so now we’ll just have to see if he can fight the same way he talk. He’s doing a hell of a job with helping promote the fight. He’s doing a hell of a job. Like I said before, every time I think about the guy I smile and I laugh because he’s a funny character. One thing about him, him and his dad, they both got personality. If I can say nothing else about him, they both got personality, him and his father.

Q

You talked a little bit about in the call about the fact that the contract is 30 months. And I’m wondering, when you say that it’s 30 months does that mean that after 30 months you want to retire or do you want to just asses it and maybe find some other deal wherever, whether again with Showtime or somewhere else or are you thinking that 30 months that’s a wrap?

Mayweather

I don’t know yet. I don’t know. By 30 months I’d be knocking a door, but I really don’t know. We just have to see how these next six fights play out.

Q

I know that the length of the agreement is for as many as six fights over 30 months, but is your intention going into this thing to actually fight six times during 30 months because that would be pretty much as busy as you’ve been even going back to maybe when you first won your first world championship?

Mayweather

I’m going to stay active. I think the more active and more busier I think it would be more better for me; it’d be more better for my fans.

Q

Do you think that at your age your body would allow you to have that many fights in succession over that short period of time?

Mayweather

Absolutely. I think so. We’ll just have to see. Only time will tell. We’ll see.

Swanson

Floyd, any final comments and then we’ll let you go?

Mayweather

I want to thank everybody that called in on the conference call and once again thank my team, thank you for the promotions. You guys all go to TheMoneyTeam.com. Buy a hat. Buy a shirt. And I’ll see you guys May Day Weekend. Thanks for all the stories that you guys wrote thus far covering this fight. Kelly, you’ve done a hell of a job. Thank you and I appreciate you.

END OF CALL

“MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero,” a 12-round fight for Mayweather’s WBC Welterweight World Championship and the vacant Ring Magazine Welterweight World Championship, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Star Trek Into Darkness and Valvoline. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Also featured will be WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon taking on Two-Division World Champion Abner Mares in a 12-round fight for Ponce de Leon’s WBC Featherweight World Championship, former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz facing veteran Alexander Munoz in a 10-round fight for the vacant USBA Junior Featherweight Championship and rising star J’Leon Love squaring off against recent world title challenger Gabriel Rosado in a 10-round middleweight battle for the vacant NABF Middleweight Championship.

Remaining tickets for “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero” priced at $1,500, $1,250, $800 and $600, not including applicable service charges, are on sale now 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 will also be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

General admission tickets for the “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero” closed circuit telecasts are priced at $50, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and will also be available for purchase by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

PHILADELPHIA (APRIL 26, 2013)—On Thursday night, May 2nd at the Omega Products Outdoor Events Center in Corona, California, former world lightweight title challenger Ji-Hoon Kim will be moving up in weight to take on Mauricio Herrera in the main event of a special edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

The show, which will display a televised co-feature between Miguel Gonzalez and former world lightweight champion Miguel Acosta, is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

For Kim (24-8, 18 KO’s), the move up in weight was three years in the making since his world title fight with Miguel Vasquez in 2010.

“I had problems making 135 dating back to the Vasquez fight in August of 2010. I decided to move to 140. But then I thought I would have some more opportunities at 135.” said Kim.

“After my last bout I knew it was time to move up.”

Kim isn’t picking on any soft touch in his Jr. Welterweight debut as he is taking on Herrera (18-3, 7 KO’s).

“Herrera is a very good boxer. He has speed and power. He will not be easy. Because I have trained very hard and we have studied his style, this is a great chance. I can’t lose this opportunity.”

Kim has been a staple on network television due to his exciting style where he almost always over 100 punches per round.
“All of the fighters that I fought are good fighters and have a great heart. That helps make action fights. I am always ready and in shape and I have never have had an easy opponent and nor do I want to fight an easy opponent. That raises my level when I know I have a tough fight. I love to train hard. This fight will be another action fight but you will see some differences.”

Kim looks to give his fans another great fight.

“I appreciate all my supporters. It means a lot that being from Korea where I have a lot of fans in my homeland, its extra special knowing that I have a lot of fans in America I will show a great performance and how hard I trained.”

Buenos Aires, Argentina(4/26/13) – Defending WBC Middleweight Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (50-2-2, 28KO’s) and the U.K.’s undefeated WBA interim champion Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11KO’s) both weighed-in earlier today, with the champion tipping the scales at 159.4 lbs. while the challenger Murray weighed-in at 159.6 lbs.

Luis Carlos Abregu (34-1, 28KO’s) and Antonin Decarie (27-1, 8KO’s) both were also on weight for their vacant WBC Silver welterweight title match-up, with both fighters coming in at exactly 147 lbs.

All four combatants looked to be in tremendous shape as they gear up for tomorrow’s historic event.

The Championship bouts will take place at the country’s famed 50,000-seat Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina, with HBO World Championship Boxing providing live coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. It marks HBO Boxing’s first-ever telecast from South America and the first time the native-Argentinean Martinez has fought at home in over 11-years.

Photo Courtesy: HBO/Will Hart

The Martinez-Murray world championship telecast, which begins at 8:30 p.m ET/PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO. Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com and at www.facebook.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #MartinezMurray to join the conversation on Twitter. For constant updates on the fight, including videos, pictures and articles, visit www.dbe1.com, www.hbo.com or www.maravillavsmurray.com.

A limited number of tickets are still available for purchase through www.tuentrada.com

NEW YORK (April 26, 2013) – The second annual New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, will be held this Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“We’re all very excited about the second class being inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame this Sunday,” NYSBHOF and Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “All are of our inductees are legitimate New Yorkers who’ve each had significant impacts on the sport. We expect to have more than 300 people there enjoying a memorable event.”

Legendary Jack Dempsey (61-6-9, 50 KOs) leads the 2013 posthumous participant inductees list that also indluces Johnny Dundee (83-32-20, 17 KOs), Sandy Saddler (144-16-2, 103 KOs), and world light heavyweight champion Maxie Rosenbloom (207-39-26 (19 KOs).

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF are Joey Archer (61-6-9, 50 KOs), Iran Barkley (43-19-1 (27 KOs), Mark Breland (35-3-1, 25 KOs), Bobby Cassidy (59-16-3, 27 KOs); Doug Jones (30-10-1, 20 KOs), Junior Jones (50-6, 28 KOs), James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs), and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (50-8-1, 39 KOs).

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are promoter Bob Arum, managers Shelly Finkel and Tony Graziano, television analyst Larry Merchant; and posthumously, matchmaker Teddy Brenner, promoters Mike Jacobs and Tex Rickard, and blow-by-blow television and radio announcer Don Dunphy,

2013 Inductee Bob Arum

(Photo by Chris Farina)

Each inductee will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his induction into the NYSBHOF. Plaques are on display at the New York State Athletic Commission and Waterfront Crabhouse. Ring 8 has announced plans for a monument to be built in Long Island City with every NYSBHOF inductee’s name inscribed.

The inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members, including Jack Hirsch, Steve Farhood, Don Majeski, Henry Hascup, Ron McNair and Neil Terens.

Dave Diamante will serve once again as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Opening remarks will be made by Duffy, Melvina Latham, Chairperson for the New York State Athletic Commission, and U.S. Congressman (District 2) Peter King.

The 2013 award presenters will be U.S. Congressman King (Cassidy), Ricardo Salazar (Jones), Bobby Bartels (Brenner), Duffy (Archer/Jones/Dempsey), McNair (Archer/Jones/Jacobs/Rickard), Majeski (Dundee/Rosenbloom/Saddler), Farhood (Dunphy/Finkel), Brian Adams (Breland), Henry Hascup (McGirt), Tony Mazzarella (McGirt), Hirsch (Arum/Merchant), Tommy Gallagher (Muhammad), and Terens.

All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years, in order to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers.

Special guests expected to attend include Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Juan Laporte, Vito Antuofermo, Renaldo Snipes and Mia St. John.

Last year’s Inaugural Class included (participants) Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard and Tony Canzoneri.

Non-participant inductees from the Class of 2012 were judge/HBO analyst Harold Lederman, coach/instructor Steve Acunto, trainer/cut-man Jimmy Glenn, trainers Gil Clancy and Ray Arcel, The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer, New York Daily News boxing reporter/cartoonist Bill Gallo, and referee Arthur Mercante, Sr.

Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

About Ring 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.

RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.

Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $25.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, the third Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.

Video streaming by Ustream

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (April 25, 2013) – The final press conference for what will be an intense and emotional confrontation between unbeaten Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia and former Two-Division World Champion Zab Judah took place Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the site of their 140-pound title fight this Saturday, April 27 which will be televised live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Both Garcia (25-0, 16 KO’s), the defending WBA Super, WBC and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion from Philadelphia, and the local favorite, Judah (42-7, 29 KO’s), of Brooklyn, participated in the jam-packed media event. They spoke, answered questions and posed for photos, but not at the same time.

The well-documented friction between the boxers and their camps made for a boxing rarity – a press conference during which the main event fighters and their teams did not sit on the dais simultaneously and were kept completely separated throughout the press conference, not even catching a glimpse of one another.

To watch Garcia, executives and the other fighters, click http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/31946461; for Judah’s turn at the podium, click http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/31949835.

In Saturday’s co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, undefeated WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KO’s), of Manhattan, will make the first defense of his 160-pound crown against world-rated, hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero (25-1, 19 KO’s), of Salisbury, Md.,

Remaining tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

Doors at Barclay Center open at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday with the first non-televised fight starting at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Immediately following the world championship doubleheader on SHOWTIMEwill be a same-day-delayed telecast of former Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Amir “King” Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s), of Bolton, England, against former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz, of Coachella, Calif., in a 12-round 143-pound catch-weight scrap on SHOWTIME Boxing: Special Edition.

DANNY “SWIFT” GARCIA, Unified Super Lightweight World Champion

“I had a tremendous eight-week camp. I calculated the miles I ran, and you could say I ran to Barclays Center [from Philadelphia] and back.

“I feel tremendous, I’m injury free, I’m solid, I’m confident and I’m really motivated for this fight. I think I’m the most motivated I’ve ever been for a fight. I grew to be a heck of a dangerous fighter, more dangerous than I was before. I’m just smarter now. Saturday night, I’m going to be smart. I’m going to just destroy.

“I don’t have to talk, because I know I can fight. When the people come to watch me, they know they’re going to see either one of the best 12 round fights or the best knockout of the year.

“You can say what you want to say, but it doesn’t matter when you’re getting hit. All that matters is whether you can you take a hit from me or not, or if you can out-think me. They’re playing checkers and I’m playing chess.”

ZAB JUDAH, Former Two-Time World Champion

“We just left the gym together. Did I say anything to Danny? Did Danny and I have any words? Not one. Angel was the one that started this. He’s the one that called me all the names and was talking loud and starting trouble like he always does.

“If you go to a Bernard Hopkins fight in Philadelphia, the whole city comes out. If you go to a fight in Los Angeles for Oscar [De La Hoya], the whole city comes out.

“He’s [Danny Garcia] going to sleep. This isn’t a game. Welcome to Brooklyn. This is my home.

“I’m a person. I’m a human being. I have class about myself. I’ve changed my life in a drastic, major way.

“Saturday night they’re going to feel it. They can do all they want to do; they’re going to feel it. I’m ready. It’s about Zab Judah and Danny Garcia.

“Angel Garcia made himself a factor. Danny is so quiet, such a church mouse, that they don’t know who he is.

“Saturday night, you’re going to see the best Zab Judah. The guy you all fell in love with and the reason why you all know me is back. The hand speed, the power, the defense…it’s all here and ready to go.

“I don’t have any problem with my hands. I bring skills to the table. Like I tell everybody, it’s never been a question ‘can he fight?’ The only question everybody has is ‘is he in shape?’ When I’m in shape, you’ve seen the best. My defense is impeccable. My hands are super fast. My power is devastating. I have one-punch knockout power in either hand. I have more knockouts than the boy has fights.

“It’s a lot to be proud of – 17 years and still strong. I’m still campaigning at this height and level of boxing. Watch Saturday night and you’re going to see the best. You’re going to think I’m 25 again. Then what are you going to say?

“Angel Garcia can’t get under my skin. I don’t worry about him.

ANGEL GARCIA, Danny Garcia’s Father/Trainer

“Danny had a great camp. February 9th, he got a caught with a little injury, but that’s in the past. That’s not the future. The future is that he’s ready. He’s ready to go 100 percent, mentally and physically.

“It’s not about Brooklyn or Philly, it’s about who is the ‘King of the East Coast,’ and that is going to be Danny.

“He’s [Zab Judah] underestimating Danny like everyone else has done. The truth is that Danny’s going to be a champion for a long time.”

PETER “KID CHOCOLATE” QUILLIN, WBO Middleweight World Champion

“I’m dedicating this fight to Boston…Boston Strong.

“We have two trained athletes. We signed up to participate in this, the people that went to run that marathon, didn’t want to participate in what happened. I just want to give them strength through this.

“I want to thank Fernando Guerrero and his team. I’m happy to see Barry Hunter in his corner so he will be getting the best advice he can. It’s going to be a tremendous fight.

“This fight has many good qualities, Dominican vs. Cuban, but we do it for the whole Latin community coming together. We both are inspired by two baseball players – Sammy Sosa and Jackie Robinson. Long hair vs. short hair. One guy who hungers for a world title and a guy that is hungry to keep his world title.

“This might have been the best camp I have ever had.

“Guerrero is coming with his confidence. My confidence is there and we’re going to make this a tremendous fight.”

FERNANDO GUERRERO, Top Middleweight Contender

“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life. I want to thank my opponent, Kid Chocolate. I think this is the way to promote a real good fight, if you can fight, just fight. He has character like me. We don’t need to trash talk, we don’t need to do anything, it’s just a sport that we do. I want to congratulate him on his title and I want to thank him for being a gentleman.

“A lot of times, people don’t understand that we’re not animals, we’re fighters. We fight like animals, but we’re not.

“On this card, there’s a lot of different races. Everybody’s saying I’m going for this race or that race, but there’s only one thing that matters, the only race that matters is the human race. It doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, Puerto Rican, red or blue.

“I represent whoever wants me, whoever has struggles, whoever wants to be a positive role model.

DANNY JACOBS, Top Middleweight Contender

“Not a lot of people stand up for something in boxing anymore. I want to stand for something. I want to be the face of boxing, but I want to do it in a positive light. Not a lot of people do that.

“I want to be able to say to (my son) ‘You can accomplish anything, but you don’t have to go the wrong route. You can be a positive light, you can be who you are and you can still shine and be the greatest.’ Our kids are the future.”

LUIS COLLAZO, Former World Champion

“Finally, I’m back. I’m excited to be back here in Brooklyn in my hometown. Come Saturday night, I’m going to do it for me, I’m going to do it for my fans, I’m going to do it for everyone that’s been with me since day one.”

EDDIE GOMEZ, Top Junior Middleweight Prospect

“We’ve got a lot of good fighters on the card Saturday night. Everybody’s looking to put on a show. I’m looking to put on a great show. I’m ready for this fight. I’m back at it again.”

MARCUS BROWNE, 2012 U.S. Olympian

“Like my last fight on the [Bernard Hopkins vs. Tavoris Cloud] card, I’m ready. From Staten Island to Brooklyn, I’m ready to put on a show. I trained hard for this fight. I’m ready. I’m going to let my hands do the talking.”

ZACHARY OCHOA, Top Junior Welterweight Prospect

“Not a lot of people can say, ‘I fought on a SHOWTIME card at Barclays Center.’ That really means a lot to me.

“I’ve been working hard. I’m hungry that’s why I call myself ‘Zungry, ‘because I’m hungry to make it to the top.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions

“All is great, all is wonderful. We have a tremendous lineup for Saturday night here at Barclays Center.

“Tickets are going really fast. We’re really happy that the response from fans has been tremendous.

On Danny Garcia “Nobody has ever proven him wrong. People can say this and that, but, until you prove somebody wrong, then there’s nothing to say. That’s what he’s been doing every single fight. He’s proving everybody wrong. Because of his work ethic, because he trains hard, he does everything right. He loves boxing and he’s in the gym constantly. His dedication to boxing is why he’s on top.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion & President of Golden Boy East

“This is a great facility [Barclays Center] as the writers and everybody who’s been here knows.

“I’ll tell the young guys ‘all of these guys are good fighters, but you have to stand out in today’s world to be the best out of the pack.’

“I’m looking for a great show. I thank Stephen Espinoza again for putting on a great event that’s going to happen this Saturday. Everyone in Philly is talking about this fight.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“At Showtime, we’re now in the midst of a really exciting run of quality fights, perhaps the most exciting, highest quality run of fights maybe in the history of the network. Last week, we had over 38,000 people in the Alamodome and did the second highest rating for an individual bout in the history of the network according to Nielsen. This week, we’ve got another packed card with two 50/50 matchups on the televised portion.

“As a television executive, you’re not supposed to have favorite fights, they’re sort of like your children, you like them all. Every fight I schedule, I schedule with the full confidence that it’s something that I would want to watch as a fan, I would want to watch as a subscriber and it’s something that I’m proud of. To be honest, there are some fights, some events that have that little extra something, a little extra excitement, the little extra sizzle, and April 27th is one of those.”

BARRY BAUM, Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer, Barclays Center

“We’re really excited for our third night of championship boxing at Barclays Center. I want to thank everyone at Golden Boy for delivering another great card to Brooklyn.

“It’s very exciting to have two major fights here as well as a terrific undercard of a lot of Brooklyn fighters. I also want to let Golden Boy Promotions know how much we appreciate their commitment to bringing boxing to Brooklyn in such a big way. It’s a really a great relationship that we have. I also want to thank Steven Espinoza and SHOWTIME for all of your support for boxing in Brooklyn and for broadcasting the event on Saturday.”

ABOUT “GARCIA VS. JUDAH”:

Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia’s Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attraction, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin puts his title on the line against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).

Remaining tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 25 2013) – Former NABC World lightweight title-holder “Merciless” Mary McGee (20-1, 11 KOs) is going to Albuquerque with nothing but respect for her opponent, 14-time, three-division world champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs). She’s also heading there to spoil the soon-to-be-retired Holm’s final appearance in a boxing ring, on Saturday night, May 11, at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque.

Holm recently announced that she will retire from boxing after this fight to pursue her mixed-martial-arts career. McGee will challenge Holm for her International Boxing Association (IBA) and World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior welterweight titles in the 10-round main event on the “Mayhem” card, presented by Fresquez Productions.

Fighting out of Gary, Indiana, McGee earned her title shot against Holm by stopping Victoria Cisneros (TKO4) in her last fight (December 7), on a card headlined by Holm vs.Diana Prazak. The rugged Cisneros had been the full distance against the likes of, among the more notables, Holm (twice), Cecelia Braekhus, Layla McCarter, Chevelle Hallback and Melissa Hernandez.

“I appreciate the opportunity to fight Holly Holm, who is the biggest name in our sport,” McGee said. “A fight like this is good for our sport and I’m glad to be in it. She is a true champion who has always fought the best. They saw what I could do there in my last fight. I want to challenge myself to fight the best and have trained hard for that. I’m at that level now. In basketball, teams don’t choose who to play next, and I think women’s boxing should be the same way, fighting the next in line. Cecilia chose to fight Mia (St. John) in her last fight, instead of Holly, and that decision hurt our sport. I think it was stupid and made us all look bad.”

Described as a good boxer-puncher, McGee believes her ability to fight a variety of different ways presents the biggest problem for her opponent, who Mary says, “Brings her experience as world champion against the best and self-confidence into the ring. I could go on and on about her. She’s also a smart fighter who has been there, done that, and is always focused.

“I take nothing away from her and look forward to being in a great fight. But, flat out, I want to win. I will not disrespect Holly in anyway. I have nothing but respect for all she’s done in boxing. I do believe in myself and look forward to a great fight.”

Also fighting on “Mayhem” is a group of New Mexico’s most promising prospects. Albuquerque lightweight Matthew Baca (2-1, 2 KO’s) takes on Armando Gonzales (2-2, 1 KO) in a six-round bout. On the undercard in four rounds matches are welterweight Rocky “El Torito” Romero (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. 11-fight veteran Michael Coca Gallegos, light middleweight Cris Leyva (1-0) vs. Manuel Eastman (1-3), lightweights making their professional debuts, Gabe Gabaldon vs. Brandon Salazar, and cruiserweights making their pro debuts, Manny Rocha vs. Floyd Olguin, Jr. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, ranging between $25.00 and $200.00, are on sale and available to purchase at the Route 66 box office, going online to www.rt66casino.com, or calling 505.884.7484.

Go on line to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com for more information about “Mayhem.”

Buenos Aires, Argentina (4/25/13) – Yesterday afternoon, defending WBC Middleweight Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (50-2-2, 28KO’s) and the U.K.’s undefeated WBA interim champion Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11KO’s) completed the final media day ahead of their anticipated World Championship bout that will air live on HBO from Buenos Aires, Argentina Saturday night. The Championship bout will take place at the country’s famed 50,000-seat Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina, with HBO World Championship Boxing providing live coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. It marks HBO Boxing’s first-ever telecast from South America and the first time the native-Argentinean has fought at home in over 11-years.

The day kicked off with a international media teleconference, and ended with the final press conference held in Argentina. The presser was attended by over 25 television networks, and included over 150 media outlets in total. The entire country is buzzing about the event on Saturday, as it will be the first time the champion Martinez will ever have defended his middleweight crown on his home turf.

Both fighters will weigh-in tomorrow, live at 11 a.m. ET. Below is a complete transcript from yesterday’s teleconference, as well as photo’s from yesterday’s final presser.

L-R: Pablo Sarmiento, Sergio Martinez, Lou DiBella

L-R: Sampson Lewkowicz, Ricky Hatton and Neil Marsh

Photo Courtesy HBO/Will Hart

Lou DiBella: Thanks, everybody for joining us tonight. I can’t tell you how thrilling it is to be here in Buenos Aires and to see the excitement around Sergio Martinez. When my cab arrived from the airport this morning to the hotel, I saw three buses with Sergio on them, four trucks and about six billboards. He truly is a huge star right now in his homeland and we’re excited to bring this home coming to you on Saturday night.

The event will take place at a Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield. I’d like to thank everybody who works at Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield for their help. Our sponsors Aerolineas Argentina and YPF I’d like to thank them. I’d also like to thank the Secretary of Sports for Argentina and the Argentina Boxing Federation, as well as (Carlos Rodriguez) and everyone from the WBC.

This event will be televised in the United States on HBO. It will be televised live. There is a terrific opening battle between Luis Carlos Abregu, 34-1 with 28 KO’s, and Antoine Decarie, 27-1, 8KO’s for the WBC Silver Title and that should be a terrific competitive fight. I’d like to say a few words first. I’d like to introduce the Senior Vice President of HBO Sports, my friend, Kery Davis.

Kery Davis: Thanks, Lou. I’m really excited. I’m not in Buenos Aires yet, but I will be there tomorrow. We look forward to – anytime Sergio Martinez fights, we look forward to it. He’s one of the best fighters in the world, so it’s always an event when he laces them up and steps into the ring, but this one is really special.

It really represents a home coming for Sergio and it’s something that we at HBO have looked forward to since Sergio’s rise to the top of the middleweight division. This will be our first time televising fights from Argentina. We expect there will be a lively raucous crowd, which always makes for good television, and I’m sure they’re going to be cheering on their hero and Sergio.

Sergio opponent, Martin Murray, is a top middleweight contender and you know, he’s going to be facing tough odds, but you know, he’s used to being in the lion’s den, if you will, because he’s got a great credential going into Germany and fighting the former middleweight champion, Felix Sturm. We really think it is going to be an entertaining fight. Telecast will start actually from Ontario, California where we’ll do a heavyweight fight between two big punchers – Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne.

We’ll follow that by doing the under card welt away fight that Lou just referred to between Abregu and Decarie and then we’ll go right to the main event. It’ll be a triple header on HBO. Our start time, again, will be 8:30 Eastern and Pacific, and we look forward to a really exciting event. Thank you, Lou and Sampson for putting it together for us.

Lou DiBella: Thank you, Kery. Thank you, Kery. I’m going to introduce first a few members of the Martin Murray camp and then I’ll introduce Sergio’s camp and then I’ll go through the fighters for a few words. Martin Murray is promoted by Ricky Hatton and he’s here with his manager, Neil Marsh – the loquacious Neil Marsh – who I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting yet. I’m going to start with Neil and let Neil say a few words about his fighter.

Martin Murray is 25-0 with one draw, 11 KO’s, he’s never tasted defeat. I’ve looked at tapes of him and he’s one of the toughest guys in the middleweight division, absolutely deserving of being, not only in the top ten, but probably in the top five or six. He’s a very, very good fighter. That’s one of the reasons why Sergio wanted this fight. Sergio doesn’t shy away from any challenge and Martin Murray presents a real meaningful challenge. Neil, would you like to say a few words about your fighter?

Neil Marsh: Yes. Obviously, I’m Neil and it’s a pleasure to be involved with such a big fight. This is a fantastic opportunity for us. As you know, Martin went to Germany, went into a lion’s den once before, which we believe all was in good standings here in Argentina. We’re fully confident about the task ahead. We believe it’s our time.

Lou DiBella: Thank you, Neil. As many people in boxing have heard over and over again, he’s sung in arenas all over the world, there’s only one Ricky Hatton, and I’d like that one Ricky Hatton to say a few words about his fighting. Ricky?

Ricky Hatton: Hello. Hi, guys. Yes, very much looking forward to this fight. Obviously, there are so many versions of world titles these days, but this is for the real middleweight championship. He’s number 3 pound for pound and I can’t speak any more highly of Sergio Martinez. I remember him from the early days back in England when he was boxing in England against people like Adrian Stone, so he’s really paid his dues and he deserves to be held in such high recognition, which he has obviously held.

Like any good fighter – a good fighter, and that’s exactly what Sergio is – every good fighter’s lane comes to an end sometimes and I believe its Saturday night. There’s always some young, hungry person that comes forward to set the mantle and I believe Martin Murray is the man. He’s been in the lion’s den before against Felix Sturm, put in a performance while he was there and it may have been a little bit too soon for him, but we didn’t. That will hold him in good set for the task ahead.

I’ve seen a change in Martin this week, to be honest with you. He knows if he would have just took the bull by the horns a little bit against Felix Sturm, he may be able to come away with a win. He’s put that light to his game and I’ve seen a nasty Martin Murray this week. He’s come over to Argentina, he’s not overawed by the occasion like you would expect in Argentina when you’re fighting someone as high of a name as Sergio Martinez. He’s reaming with confidence, he’s never looked as sharp and inspired, and he’s got a real nasty streak about him.

You know, again, with Felix Sturm, maybe he should have started a couple rounds earlier. He’s going to put light on Saturday night. He knows he’s got to be aggressive in this fight and I’ve seen a total change in his demeanor this week. The main thing from his promoter in coming out there, all the way to Argentina, I don’t want to see the occasion getting to him or anything like that.

That has certainly not been the case. He just can’t come quick enough for Saturday night, so we’re certainly grateful for sharing the ring with a champion as good as Sergio Martinez. I think every good champion’s ring comes to an end, and I think Sergio’s will be coming to an end on Saturday.

Lou DiBella: Thanks, Ricky. I disagree with you, but thank you very much. I’d like to thank everybody in Team Martinez, particularly (Miguel), for all that they’ve done. Of course, I would be remised if I didn’t allow my partner in this event, he’s representing Sampson Boxing, I’ve said this many times, but he’s one of the great minds in boxing. He’s had years of being Sergio’s advisor and now has been very active in putting this deal together with our partners in Argentina and with the Argentine Government. I’d like to introduce, from Sampson Boxing, Sampson Lewkowicz.

Sampson Lewkowicz: Thank you very much, everyone. Yes, I’m here. Thank you very much to everyone. I really appreciate the opportunity that Lou DiBella allowed me to prove that I’m – that I throw my heart on the boxing as a promoter.

This is going to be the biggest event that I ever did on my own with the help of a new team, as well as mine. How I can say thank you to HBO to make history – not only for HBO, but more for somebody that I like so much and I love so much, like my own son, Sergio Martinez. This is well deserved for him to be on top of the game in this one country of Argentina.

I never forgot – Kerry Davis one day told me, (unintelligible) it happened probably two years ago. I told him it would be a fantasy, and today it’s a reality. Thank you. Thank you to every one of you, and thank you for the prayers, the support and so much. Thank you on behalf of all of the Martinez team. Thank you. God bless you.

Lou DiBella: Thank you, Sampson.

And now to the fighters – I have tremendous respect for this young man. He’s never tasted defeat, I love the way he fights, he’s a high pressure fighter, he’s relentless. I thought he’d beat Felix Sturm, and I know that this is a real challenge. I know that he did not come to Argentina overwhelmed or scared. He came here believing he’s going to win and he’s been telling everyone close to him that he’s going to win. I’m sure he’s going to tell you the same thing right now, Martin Murray.

Martin Murray: Yes.

Lou DiBella: You want to speak your words, Martin?

Martin Murray: Yes. It’s a pleasure to be here fighting Sergio in Argentina.

I’m having a great training camp. Like you just said, I’ve not come over here to lose or to make numbers. I’ve trained out and I’m trained to win. Sergio is a great fighter who I’ve looked up to over the past couple years, but I really think it’s my time. Whatever Sergio brings on Saturday, I’ll be ready for. I’m just looking forward to being involved in a great fight.

Lou DiBella: Thank you, Martin. The next gentleman I’m going to announce is the greatest fighter I have ever promoted.

Not only because he’s a terrific talent, not only because he’s, in my mind, at the top of the pound for pound list, right with Floyd Mayweather, but also because of the type of man he is.

He’s just a good human being, he’s got a great sense of social consciousness, he’s back in his homeland where he’s waited to fight until this moment, until he could pull off this type of event, and this is going to be a great (unintelligible) of people at Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield supporting their hometown hero, supporting the future hall of famer, and it’s my honor to present my fighter, Sergio Gabriel Martinez. Sergio? Oh, and translating for Sergio will be Ricardo Figueroa. Sergio? Ricardo?

Sergio Martinez (translated by Ricardo Figuero)

Sergio Martinez: Good afternoon. How is everyone? Everything is well on his side, better than ever. I am very confident. I know that the expectations are very high, but I am training at a very high level and I am very confident that I am going to have a great fight on Saturday. This Saturday, this fight will end by knock out. My training and my confidence are at the highest level, even higher than the last fight with Chavez and therefore, I predict a knock out this Saturday night.

QUESTIONS:

Diego Zorillo: In Argentina, you’ve become like a folk hero. How do you take all of that into consideration with yourself?

Sergio Martinez: Everything that I’ve been through in my life, you know, has been so overwhelming and hard that the boxing would be actually the lightest of the hardest things that I’ve had to endure in life. That’s how I feel about that.

I’ve had to learn, you know, to deal with changes and the pressures of boxing, but that’s done hand in hand with kind of like how my life has been as far as things being rough and things changing as I’ve evolved as a fighter in my life.

(Diego Zorilla): How do you feel with the irony that you started out as an athlete playing soccer and you played in this particular stadium and now you’re going not only play there, but obviously now fight as a boxer, as a biggest event ever in that stadium. How do you feel about that?

Sergio Martinez: I can honestly tell you that I cannot say how I’m going to feel because I have to be in the ring at the time and after the fight, I’ll be able to answer that with certainty. I’m definitely very excited and I’m looking forward to this, but I’ll be able to answer that question when I step out of the ring.

(Chris Guns): Yes, my first question is for Martin. Martin, you fought all of your fights in Great Britain besides the Felix Sturm fight. Basically, he was past the time and it was almost an even fight according to everybody. What do you think prepares you for taking on this kind of animal in his homeland of Argentina?

Martin Murray: The Felix Sturm fight was a learning experience for me. I learned loads in that fight, loads of things I learned in that fight, that I will be bringing into this fight. The fact that it’s such a big challenge, I know that a performance on Saturday is going to have to be the best performance for me, but it’s a performance that I’m more than capable of doing, and the fact that it’s against such a great fighter and he’s got me up for it.

I like doing the type of fights now where I can do it again, and I will be doing it again on Saturday. Like I said, I’ll be looking forward to putting all of the training to producing and coming out victorious.

(Chris Guns): Sergio earned his name in the sport. A lot of people have him as high up as number two or three in the world. He’s faced everybody, all kinds of styles, from Paul Williams to Kelly Pavlik and he’s been in the big event against Chavez. How do you assess Sergio’s career and how do you feel like is your best plan to beat him? What is the best way to fight Sergio Martinez?

Martin Murray: Obviously, I’ve never fought anybody like Sergio’s style before, but I know all different types of style. That was hard to get an exact guy with Sergio’s style with it being so unique, but we got plenty of different styles of sparring partners, who all did the things that we needed. We’ve had a good training cap. As well as that, I’ve got a great trainer who is always coming up with the right game, has the right tactics. We just think and we know that we’ve got what it takes to beat Martinez.

(Chris Guns): Good luck, Martin. Sergio, it’s been a while since you fought in front of your hometown. What kind of reception have you received?

Sergio Martinez: It’s been amazing, the best that you can imagine possible, landing here and then having the people cheering you. Just the love is very overwhelming and how everyone is treating me right now.

(Chris Guns): I know Lou DiBella thinks highly of Martin Murray, but a lot of people don’t give him much of a shot against you.

Sergio Martinez: Statistics are just, you know, those are just numbers and what peoples’ opinions are, but this is going to be a very tough fight. I am fully aware of that and I would never take any of that for granted. I know how people can predict, but when you get in the ring, it’s a fight. This guy, he deserves to be in the ring with me and I don’t look at any of that stuff, so I’m prepared for a very, very, very tough fight.

(Chris Guns): I hear you and Martin Murray pull an upset, you never know. You can’t really overlook anyone, but if you are successful, what are the chances that your next fight might be against someone like (Genetti Galaskin) or (Peter Quillin), someone who people give a legitimate chance to fight and beat you?

Lou DiBella: I think we’d rather not talk about his next fight before this one. He’s got a pretty big challenge on Saturday night. We’ll worry about his next fight after the fight.

(Chris Guns): Okay, and one more question. You’re not getting any younger Sergio. I haven’t seen any signs of slippage from you, but nobody can decide when is time, unless maybe Bernard Hopkins, you’re talking. How much longer do you see yourself fighting and do you see any changes as you’ve gotten older? Do you see any changes in your skill?

Sergio Martinez: I don’t even think of that kind of stuff right now. I’m focused right now on this fight that is coming up. Maybe after the fight, I’ll talk with my team and as they move with their future plans, I can give a better answer to that, but right now, I don’t think about any of that as age or a time or date. Right now, that’s not even a question in my mind.

(Lem Satterfield): Hey Lou, how you doing? Hello to Lou, Samson, Martin and Sergio.

Martin Murray: How you doing?

Lou DiBella: Hello.

(Lem Satterfield): So listen, Sergio is six, one and one in his last eight fights. Every single one of them has been exciting, he cuts guys up, he knocks them out, he gets up off the canvas and wins, and his last fight was on Pay per View. My question for all three of you – Sergio, Samson and Lou – is he appreciated for who he is and what he is as a fighter?

Lou DiBella: I’ll take the first crack at that one, since it’s all three of us. First of all, you can look at that six, one and one, and it pretty easily could be 8 and 0, because I thought he beat Paul Williams the first time and he certainly beat Kermit Cintron. I think people are getting a treat in getting to see – and I thank HBO for this, because all of his fights since Alex Bunema have been televised by HBO. You’re getting the chance to a see in my mind, one of the greatest middleweights who has ever lived and one of the two great middleweights in the history of Argentina. You can mention them in the same breath at this point. You could mention Sergio Martinez in the same sentence as Carlos Monzon and you’re not doing any injustice to Monzon. That’s how great Sergio is. I think that among the people who know, they know they’re getting the chance to see an all-time great fighter and a future Hall-of-Famer.

Does he get the credit he’s due? Maybe not, but it’s coming more and more, and Saturday night in his homeland, there will be 40,000 plus people filling the stadium to show him the love and respect that he deserves.

Sampson Lewkowicz: Sergio Martinez has jumped the fence to see what’s green on the other side. He’s motivated, he’s a human being and he’s got the heart for the people.

It creates an enigma that people – if he didn’t know about boxing today in Argentina especially, it’s all part of the human being of Sergio Martinez and today, you see the boxer. I believe that it’s an example for many area boxers that you need to get out of that circle to get to the people because at the end of the day, that will make you whatever you are today.

Today, I’m very, very proud to be part of this team with Lou, with Sergio, with (Pablos Samiento), with our assitant Raquel. This is an unbelievable team and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone and hopefully we continue for one more year, because Sergio promised to his mother that he would not fight at age 40.

(Lem Satterfield): Sergio? Can Sergio answer that question?

Sergio Martinez: : I feel that respect is earned and I was once was in a situation where Murray wis. You have to earn your respect in this game. Everything I have done and everything I have accomplished, I have earned.

(Lozoro Malrose): Sergio, after your last fight, what do you feel you have to improve on and how do you feel with the pressure of fighting in front of your family?

Sergio Martinez: I am very conscious that there are a lot of things that you always have to improve, things with my trainer (Pablo) – we work on many things. I wouldn’t think to say, what are those things that I have to improve on or that I have improved on, but we’re very conscious of that and we continue to work to improve.

Bob Velin: Hey Sergio and Lou, how you doing? Sergio, I guess the obvious question is what does it mean to you to be back fighting in your home country after 11 years, and has it been more of a distraction for you training down there and getting ready for your fight or have people basically, you know, let you do your thing down there?

Sergio Martinez: Of course. When you come home and you’ve worked hard, people show love and appreciate and I have felt that and that receptiveness from the fans and the people, but that has not distracted me whatsoever. The eight weeks of camp have been wonderful, including this last week that we have moved camp here Everything has been great, no distractions. I’m ready to go.

Bob Velin: Question for Lou – what’s it been like to be down there with Sergio and just traveling around with him and did you go to his hometown, and how was that?

Lou DiBella: Actually, I just got in and to be honest, Sergio is laying pretty low this week. He takes – I mean, if you know Sergio, he takes fight week very seriously and it’s usually not a very social week for him. He likes to sort of keep to himself and get into his head for the fight. That’s always been the way and he’s not changing the routine here, even though he’s in Argentina.

For me, it’s been a little bit freaky. I mean, I got off an airplane and the room to get through customs, there was like 5,000 people in it and a couple of thousand recognized me, but I haven’t been here since I was a kid, so it just shows you the star power of Sergio Martinez and what he means in this country.

Like I said, like from my cab to the airport to the hotel, I passed I don’t know how many billboards, how many trucks, how many buses that had Sergio’s image on it. He really is like a rock star here right now and the atmosphere is charged and everyone knows about the fight.

By the terms – you know, I’m going to do some sightseeing in the next few days and get around Buenos Aires a bit and try to check out where Sergio is from, but I don’t expect to see Sergio all that often other than the press conference and the night of the fight, because I’m used to him at this point. His way is to very much keep focused and stay on his own and to himself this week.

(Jorge Javier): Well, Sergio, you know, we know that Argentina is a football crazy country and that’s been the main sport for many years. How do you feel your event will impact, you know, the actual people from your country there to continue to move on and make boxing a stronger, bigger sport, and have fighters such as yourself and other fighters you mentioned, to make them want to become boxers and come to the United States and follow their dreams as a boxer as you have?

Sergio Martinez: I feel that I have done my ground work and my fellow fighters are laying the ground work for boxing to become a much more popular sport, which is in fact popular already, but as I mentioned, it’s not at a level where soccer is, but we’re definitely working hard and laying this ground work. Not only the boxers, but I wants the companies – promoters, etc – to continue to promote and help boxers develop in order for them to become successful and future champions.

(Jorge Javier): I would also like to – this one is for Lou. Lou, with 50,000 people in Argentina, can Murray get a fair shake in a close fight there in Argentina?

Lou DiBella: Yes, I think he can get a fair shake in a close fight, yes. I do. I think he can get a fair shake. Now that being said, 40,000 people screaming for one fighter, you know, that gives that fighter that hometown advantage as far as his motivation and it might affect close rounds, but if Martin Murray wins the clear cut fight, I believe Martin Murray is going to get the decision.

Jim Slater: This is for Martin Murray. How we doing Martin?

Martin Murray: Yes, I’m good, thanks. Are you?

Jim Slater: Yes. I’d just like to ask you – it might sound a bit crazy – but most people think in this country, certainly, all the pressure is on you. Is there a chance in your mind that there’s more pressure on Sergio? As great of a fighter as he is, you know, it’s his homecoming, he wants to please his fans, he’s predicted the knock out. Do you think he might try too hard maybe to put on a show and this could work to our advantage?

Martin Murray: He’s obviously going to win best, just like me, but he’s a very smart fighter. Everything he’s done has worked for months and I can’t see him changing, but he’s, you know, he said he’s going to knock me out, so maybe he’s just trying a bit too hard and he could end up in trouble, but I plan for there to be 12 hard rounds and that’s what I think the fight is going to be.

Jim Slater: Hello, Ricky. Great to speak with you.

Rick Hatton: Hi, mate.

Jim Slater: Just one quick question. I know time is short.

Rick Hatton: Sure.

Jim Slater: Obviously, you’re not the fighter going to this one, you’re the promoter and you’re the advisor to Martin, but have you got that same kind of vibe, that same kind of feeling in your bones that you had entering your fight where you were the big underdog? Have you got that same kind of vibe that the upset is going to happen?

Rick Hatton: Very much so. This is why I went into promoting in the first place. You know, boxing is a passion for me and I was very fortunate through boxing to fulfill my dreams and make a wonderful future for myself and my family and my kids. What I’m doing is I’m helping people such as Martin to fulfill their dreams, you know?

Come Saturday night, I’ll be throwing every punch for Martin, but he has a wonderful chance. He knows he’s an underdog and he knows he’s up against it, but you know, we just feel it’s the right fight at the right time for Martin and although we all have the utmost respect – well I mean, when I boxed, I had the utmost respect for him, but when the bell went, I had to show him no respect. I’m seeing the same from the fighter.

He’s not coming over here to make up the numbers. He’s not coming over to get a sun tan. He’s come over because he barely believes he can beat Sergio. Sometimes when fighters tell you, “Yes, yes, I’m confident and I’m going to win” you can see right past them, but that is not the case for Martin. He’s got that nastiness that he knows he’s going to need to show the fighter and we’re just all jumping out of our skin waiting for Saturday to come.

It’s an exciting time for me as a promoter. I became a world champion and now I’m promoting lads outside winning world titles, so it’s going to be a very, very proud night for me, just like it is for Martin.

Jim Slater: Absolutely, and would this eclipse your win over the great Kostya Tszyu? I mean, you talk about great British away wins. Would this top your win even if Martin can do it?

Rick Hatton: Yes, I might say that, you know, when they mentioned the Kostya fight as one of the best British wins, that was with (unintelligible) – he was number two pound for pound and the best in the division. Sergio is number three pound for pound and the best in the division, but Martin is coming over to Argentina to fight a fermentable champion in his backyard and he’s marking some things off. You know, I think it wouldn’t even have clicked my win against Kostya Tszyu. That’s how big this fight will be for Martin.

Jim Slater: Right, well thanks very much Ricky. Thanks very much, mate. All the best, mate. We’re all pulling for you. Sergio is a great champion and obviously we respect him, but obviously in our pride, pride has to have the last word, and all of that is to Martin Murray.

Lou DiBella: I think that’ll wrap it up. I’d like to thank everybody for joining us. If you’re in Argentina right now, we’ll see you at Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield. If you’re back in the states, tune in on HBO at 8:30 Eastern time to get that Areolla/Steverne fight and then you’ll see Luis Carlos Abregu against Antonin Decarie, and of course, the true middleweight championship of the world, the real middleweight championship of the world, one of the pound for pound greats, Sergio Martinez, and undefeated Martin Murray from Great Britain. Thanks for joining us all and we look forward to this home coming on Saturday night. Take care.

The Martinez-Murray world championship telecast, which begins at 8:30 p.m ET/PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO. Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com and at www.facebook.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #MartinezMurray to join the conversation on Twitter. For constant updates on the fight, including videos, pictures and articles, visit www.dbe1.com, www.hbo.com or www.maravillavsmurray.com.

A limited number of tickets are still available for purchase through www.tuentrada.com

FROM ALLBOXING.AU

As it became known AllBoxing.Ru, the Russian boxer Ruslan Provodnikov is regarded as one of the potential contenders for pound for pound best American Floyd Mayweather Jr. to fight, which is scheduled for September of this year and should be shown on Showtime PPV. According to Ruslan AllBoxing.Ru manager Vadim Kornilov, “If such conversations do take place and, in his opinion, if a fight takes place, it will be just as entertaining and intriguing than the last fight Ruslan against American Timothy Bradley. “Of course we are interested in this fight – said in an interview with Vadim Kornilov on AllBoxing.Ru. – “”herefore, if Floyd Mayweather will be the winner of a fight with Robert Guerrero, we are open to negotiations. I know very well Ruslan and I can confidently say that we dont avoid fights with the strongest contenders. He does not like to make loud statements and does not promise to beat all, knockout people or something like that. But, nevertheless, I want to remind you that few people gave him a chance to fight with one of the ten best P4P boxers in Timothy Bradley. What happened in the end – we’ve all seen. ”

The manager does not believe that Ruslan will be a clear underdog in a fight with Mayweather, and, according to him, there is a compelling reason. “In the corner by Ruslan will be one of the best coaches and strategists of modern boxing Freddie Roach, and the whole training process is going to work with him one of the best teams in the world boxing – he recalled. – So my word that the fight with Mayweather can not get less entertaining and competitive than the fight with Timothy Bradley, who claimed this year’s title of “Fight of the Year” is not mere statements, and knowledge of the situation from the inside. Ruslan is ready to give all of himself in training. He is ready to show their best qualities in the ring. He lives in boxing and will be incredibly motivated with the ability to fight the best boxers in the world. Give him the opportunity to fight the best, and he will use it one hundred percent. ”