Kelly Swanson
Thank you everybody for joining us today. You are on this call to talk to both the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion, Canelo Alvarez, and the WBA Super Welterweight World Champion, Austin Trout. We will start with Canelo Alvarez first and then Mr. Trout will join for the completion of the call.
We will also be sending out a Fight Week schedule and you will be receiving more information about the show, which takes place Saturday, April 20th. But to give you more details about what’s going on and what we’re talking about today I’d like to turn the call over to Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. Oscar?
Oscar De La Hoya
Thank you very much, Kelly. Yes, we are a little over a week away and things are moving extremely well. Ticket sales have been unbelievably selling like hotcakes. We are well over 35,000 tickets.
We expect an incredible walk up, not only the day of the fight but all that week. As you know, when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker the walk up on that day alone was unbelievable. So we’re expecting a lot of people from across the border to come over and support their very own Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
This bout is a unification fight. It’s a 12-round fight for the WBC and WBA and also the vacant Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championship. We’re happy to announce the culminating event will be the up and coming fighter from Texas, Omar Figueroa Jr. vs. Abner Cotto, which will be a ten-rounder for the vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title.
As you know, this event is taking place at the Alamodome promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions. And I also want to thank Leija & Battah Promotions, who have been doing an incredible, incredible job. I’m also happy to announce that Miguel Cotto also is helping us promote this event with Omar Figueroa and Abner Cotto.
This event is being sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Thank you very much. And as always, thank you very much to Showtime Championship Boxing. This event will be beginning at 10:00 p.m. Eastern/7:00 p.m. Pacific and the preliminary bouts will air on Showtime Extreme at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
Tickets are still available. There are tickets priced at $25 and $10 and we’re also, because of the high demand, going to\ add some bleacher packs to the existing set up enabling us to open up seats which are priced at $150 and $100.
So April 20th fights will begin at 4:30 p.m. live there at the Alamodome. The doors will open at 3:30 p.m.
And so let me introduce to you, he hails out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He is the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion. He has been a pro since 2005 and he started professionally at the age of 15. Right now at the age of 22 he’s obviously Mexico’s champion and current boxing super star. Let me introduce to you the champion at 154 pounds, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Saul?
Canelo
I’m very happy. The time is near. I like the response that all the fans and the media have given me. I’m very, very motivated and willing/ready to give my best once I step into that ring come Saturday the 20th.
Q
Very good. Hey, I just wanted to ask you, do you think that a victory in this fight against Trout makes it a no-brainer that your next fight should be against Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
And also on that, what does it mean to you to be considered, like Oscar said, Mexico’s champion and boxing super star in the country now? Do you think that you really have elevated to that spot? Thank you very much.
Canelo
To answer your question, right now my focus is 100% only on Austin Trout and that’s all I’m thinking of. After the fight, we’ll sit down, discuss what’s next, but right now I’m focused only on Austin Trout and, God willing, winning this fight.
Your second question, it’s an honor. I’m very, very honored to hear someone like Oscar mention me in those words. I love it. It does thrill me but I’d rather the people say it and me continue to do my job inside the ring.
Q
Canelo, going into this fight when the deal was being done I guess there were people that were in your camp that weren’t really high on the fight but that you continued to press for it because it was that you personally wanted to sort of prove a lot of the critics wrong and because you hadn’t really fought any top fighters to take on one of the elite fighters in the division.
Can you talk about your mindset, as far as demanding that fight and maybe going against what some of your advisors and people close to you thought about the match up?
Canelo
The team, after the fight with Cotto we had decided that’s the fight we wanted. And yes, we sat down and talked to our promoter, Golden Boy, made the decision that was who we wanted. They got to work and that’s where we’re at now and we’re all happy that we’re all in agreement.
Q
But am I wrong that there were people, at least initially that were not-I mean they were going to do what Canelo ultimately wanted them to do, but that they weren’t really pressing the issue? They thought maybe there could be a different fight or a better fight but that you insisted on this fight?
Canelo
Oh yeah, it was brought up that there are other fights and let’s take other avenues but I wanted this fight and that’s why we’re here on this call today and with the fight coming up on the 20th.
Q
I mean obviously you’ve been a champion now for a while. You fought some good fighters and that sort of thing and been active, but do you view this as your best opponent and also sort of like I guess maybe your moment of truth to sort of prove to anybody that might doubt your abilities that you are for real because you’re taking on one of the best fighters out there coming off the win against Cotto?
Canelo
There’s always going to be critics but criticism is also constructive and in this particular case it’s always your next fight that they’re going to criticize or talk about and that’s your toughest fight. This particular fight, yes, the one in turn, it is the toughest and we’ll silence the critics after.
Q
Oscar, let me ask you a quick question. Listen, you were a guy, when you were boxing, pretty much took on everybody that was there, especially as a welterweight and above, every top name, all the guys that people maybe rated ahead of you.
I’m curious from your perspective. What do you think it says about the competitive nature and just the attitude of Canelo to just basically say to everybody around him, “Listen, I don’t want to hear about any other names. I want the guy I think’s the next best guy in the weight class. I want to fight Austin Trout.” What does it say about Canelo as a fighter that he would just demand this caliber of a fight?
Oscar De La Hoya
It speaks volumes of such a young man. At the age of 22 already wanting to fight the very best. Austin Trout is a very dangerous opponent. Just like every other opponent, yes it’s dangerous, but Austin Trout is an undefeated fighter, WBA champion.
You’re right. People were worried, were concerned but one of those people wasn’t me. I know Canelo’s abilities. I know his style. I know that he loves fighting southpaws. But it speaks volumes.
At the age of 22 years old, if you compare Saul’s career to anybody else’s, anybody else who’s elite, they would never take this chance or this type of fight ever, including myself, including a Floyd Mayweather, including anybody. This is a test that he wanted and we’re obviously hoping for the best.
Q
What did you see in Austin Trout’s style and what do you think his strengths and weakness are?
Canelo
We had Cotto in mind. We wanted to fight Miguel Angel Cotto but obviously when he beat him we saw a fight that we wanted to do. Austin Trout’s undefeated. He’s a world champion, very difficult style, strong southpaw, but this also gave me the motivation to go on and fight one of the best and we consider him as one of the best out there.
Q
My question to Canelo and Oscar, you did fight a lot of guys. You fought the best guys and you lost some tough fights, Mosley, Trinidad, and I understand there’s a rematch clause for this fight. Can you discuss the notion of a rematch clause and from Canelo’s standpoint, from your guy’s standpoint, what that means?
Oscar De La Hoya
Well obviously, yes, if you want to be the best you have to fight the best and I had the privilege of fighting the very best, which obviously a lot of people appreciated. This is no different. Canelo, at the young age of 22, is already going to fight the best.
The rematch clause is obviously-whatever happens in the fight, if it’s a great fight then let’s do it again. Why not? That’s the way we see it. Canelo winning or Austin winning, it being a draw, if it’s going to be a great fight then why not do it again?
Canelo
It’s something you respect and it depends on the outcome of the fight, but yes, like Oscar mentioned, if it’s a great fight and the fans want to see it then yes we consider it, definitely.
Q
Okay. Also, Oscar, you’ve made a lot of comparisons between this fight and the Chavez/Whitaker fight. Can you discuss the element of that fight? You have a great Mexican warrior against a boxer who’s also a southpaw and also the location. And also you could have Canelo address the notion of being compared to that night and the two double fights and the meaning it has to his country?
Oscar De La Hoya
Absolutely. I’ve compared this event to a lot of past fights that took place. For instance, when I fought Fernando Vargas the importance to me as a fighter to convince people that I was the real deal. When I fought Ike Quartey those types of fights convinced people that I could fight.
Even when Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker the magnitude of event in San Antonio was like no other. It put boxing on the map in San Antonio. So all of those three fights that I just mentioned, Canelo right now is in that same position. He’s going to put boxing back on the map in San Antonio with the event. I mean we’re well over 35,000 tickets sold.
And this fight is the defining fight for Canelo Alvarez. This fight, if everything goes well, him winning this fight will take him over the top and will get the respect from the critics who don’t believe. So it’s a very important fight, but it’s a fight that the people are going to enjoy and I think both fighters are going to really, really fight their hearts out come April 20th.
Canelo
I’m very honored. I’m very proud to be even included and compared into those comparisons and making history, fighting in a historic place. That’s what motivates me even more and to be fighting in front of so many Mexicans. I’m very happy.
Q
So you embrace this opportunity and do you think that it will bring out the best in you, a tough opponent and a large supportive atmosphere and the history of one of the greatest champions in Mexican history?
Canelo
Yes of course. Yes, I’m very honored. I’m very proud. That’s what we’ve been training for very hard because we want to show that we belong here. We’re ready for this and because it’s a big responsibility and we want to make everybody proud.
Q
Oscar, this questions for you. Have you given Canelo much advice and if so what?
Oscar De La Hoya
Absolutely. There are times where I-we can see him in the gym or at press conferences or talk to him over the phone or even send text messages, just little things. It’s amazing how Saul is so mature for his age. He’s got his head on his shoulders.
He’s well advanced in terms of his abilities inside the ring. He is just a seasoned veteran at the age of 22. He’s thinking like a veteran champion and that is just incredible to just talk to him. When I’m giving him advice he already knows. He already knows.
It kind of I feel, yes, like I do want to take him under my wing and I do want to guide him and wish the best for him but he already knows everything there is to know. I can give him little tips in here that are going to work inside the ring or outside the ring but he’s just such an intelligent and, like I said, seasoned veteran inside and outside the ring so it really is an honor to work with him.
Q
Yes, they say that if you wait long enough what goes around eventually comes around. Nearly 20 years ago in September of 1993 there was fight before a huge crowd at the Alamodome between a great Mexican champion in Julio Cesar Chavez and a slick African American southpaw in Pernell Whitaker.
I wanted to ask Canelo how familiar he is with that fight and what possible similarities or dissimilarities does he see between what’s going to happen in this fight and what happened in that fight?
Canelo
Yes, it is a very similar fight. I watched it on video several times and Austin Trout, like Pernell Whitaker, is a southpaw, slick, difficult fighter. He’s very difficult but that’s what we’re training hard for. We’re training hard for that and come the 20th, the night of the fight, we’re going to make it where it’s not so difficult for us.
Q
It seems like most people are seeing this as a puncher against a boxer. Do you feel that perhaps your boxing skills are unappreciated, at least here in the United States? And while I know you respect Austin’s boxing ability, what’s your level of respect for his punching power?
Canelo
Many people focus just on my power but they don’t see that I’m very fast and know how to move in the ring as well. So that’s something that, yeah, they’ll see.
And Trout is a strong fighter. He showed it. He showed it with Cotto and he is a very strong fighter but that’s what makes me very happy, motivated, working hard and I’ll show it all come fight night.
Q
You are undefeated. Trout is undefeated. What is going to be the key to victory?
Canelo
The key is not to get desperate, not to get wild. Take round per round, win round per round and see what comes up and counter that during the fight.
Q
I have a two-part question for Canelo. Just one, how motivating is it for you to fight Trout knowing that he beat your brother, Rigoberto, a couple years ago and if Austin Trout was even on your radar at the time of that fight?
Canelo
Yes, definitely, it’s a blood revenge that I’m looking at. I’m very motivated for it. I was there at the fight when he beat Rigoberto, my brother. And I felt such an inability to do something but now it’s here and I’m very motivated and that is a big factor.
Q
The question is for both Oscar and Canelo. In the future, is there still a possibility of a fight against Victor Ortiz?
Oscar De La Hoya
Look, the focus right now is on Austin Trout and after that we’ll decide but Canelo said to fight the best in the world.
Q
Okay, Canelo, this fight was originally scheduled for Cinco de Mayo weekend but moved back to April 20th due to a falling out with Floyd Mayweather. Are you at all disappointed that you’re not fighting on Cinco de Mayo weekend?
Canelo
No, on the contrary I’m very happy to be fighting on April 20th. Look at the response that the people have had, the press has had. Even though it’s been a short time to put it together I’m very excited, very happy about it.
Q
How do you envision this fight with Austin Trout? And coming out victorious, are you interested in a fight with Miguel Angel Cotto?
Canelo
We all know Austin Trout’s undefeated, tough. It’s a very difficult fight but that’s what we’re training for, preparing for, to come out victorious. Right now my focus is just on Austin Trout. But like I said, after the fight we’ll sit down and we want the best fights and yes, of course, Miguel Angel Cotto is a great fighter.
Kelly Swanson
Okay, great, actually that was our last question for Canelo. So we would like to see if you’d like to make one last comment before we switch over to Austin Trout.
Canelo
Thank you everybody. I’m very happy for all the support that I’ve received and I’ll be waiting for everybody in San Antonio on the 20th. Thank you all.
Kelly Swanson
Okay, now at this time I’m going to turn this call back over to Oscar De La Hoya and he will make the introductions for Mr. Trout. Oscar?
Oscar De La Hoya
Thank you very much, Kelly. I greatly appreciate it. He is the WBA Super Welterweight World Champion. As we all know, he captured the world title by defeating Rigoberto Alvarez, who is Canelo’s brother, on February 5th, one day after my birthday in Guadalajara, Mexico.
He did beat a very tough and in his prime Miguel Cotto to defend his world title in a very impressive fashion in hostile territory out at Miguel Cotto’s second home at the Garden in New York. He’s no stranger to going to people’s backyards and winning fights inside that squared circle.
He is fighting for the Unified World Title on April 20th. With a record, an impressive record I may add, of 26-0 and 14 knockouts, out of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Austin Trout.
Austin Trout
Thank you all for being here. I’m very excited about this coming fight April 20th. I’ve said this many times before, this is a fight that should happen, two undefeated fighters, to undefeated champions in their prime and put it all on the line.
I’m praying that after this win it’ll put me in a position to be your superstar like we want to be. But first things first is we have to get through this beast called Canelo. So I’m very happy to be here and shoot away. I’m an open book.
Q
Hey, when you and Louie look at Canelo do you see a one-trick pony, a guy that’s strong but a fairly uncomplicated fighter or do you see skills and suddenly they’re really going to challenge your skills?
Trout
No, no, he definitely has skills that are going to challenge my skills. He’s fast. He’s strong. He has good reflexes. He’s explosive. As far as the style goes, we’ve been fighting his style our whole life. We don’t think his style’s necessarily going to give us problems but the skills that he brings within that style are going to be a bit of a problem.
Q
Canelo said earlier that he feels like his boxing skills are under appreciated. By the same token, do you feel like maybe your punching power is underestimated?
Trout
I definitely do. In every fight I’ve been in I’ve marked up everybody I’ve fought. They’ve been reluctant to come in and I’ve fought in super middleweights and middleweights and I’ve hurt them and even dropped them. So I think my punching power is very underestimated.
Q
Hey, I just wanted to ask you, I mean when you talked about that skill within his style, obviously it’s his punching power. How do you know that over the course of 12 rounds that you can stand up to the power that you’re going to see from Canelo?
And obviously the other factor is sort of the home arena advantage that he will probably have in Antonio. Is that something that’s going to affect you or not? Thank you.
Trout
It’s never affected me before and I don’t plan on it affecting me again. The crowd can’t do anything but cheer for him. They can’t even give him water. They can’t breathe for him. They can’t punch for him. So I’m not worried about the crowd.
And about surviving his power for 12 rounds, you know, we’ve been in with stronger guys for 12 rounds and we banged out stronger guys for 12 rounds. I’m not saying I’m not worried about it. Of course that’s why we’re training and we’re having such a hard camp to make sure that we’re prepared for that, but I don’t see it being a major factor, especially if we execute our game plan.
Q
Hey, the comparisons have been made to the Chavez/Whitaker fight and I think it’s a good comparison, a great Mexican champion against a good African American southpaw. Have you watched that fight, because Canelo says he has, and do buy into the history and the comparisons between this fight and that one?
Trout
I do see a very similar comparison. First of all, let’s just say “Sweet Pea” is my favorite fighters. But the thing of it between me and “Sweet Pea” is that I could punch a bit. There are things I saw that he did in the fight that he could’ve done to make it a lot less close that he could’ve done to pull away from Chavez.
The best way to not let history repeat itself is knowing your history. So yes, I’ve definitely watched the fight. We’ll make our adjustments because Chavez Sr. is not Canelo and I’m not Sweet Pea. But there are very similar comparisons.
Q
Okay. My second question is you fought in hostile territory before most impressively, I guess, in your last fight against Cotto. Put us in the ring with you that night in how you were able to shut out the crowd. I mean you said you were going to do that and do you anticipate being able to do that again?
Trout
One thing I was saying is that if they’re going against me my goal is to set them up, not give them anything to cheer for and that’s the same mind set we’re going into this fight. If they’ve don’t have anything to cheer for then they won’t be able to cheer.
I know in the beginning, of course, while they’re excited they’re going to cheer for everything he does. If he sneezes my way they’ll go and get excited for it, but eventually as the fight goes on you’ll see the crowd getting quieter and quieter or even switch to my side like they’ve done before.
Q
My question is on the Whitaker/Chavez theme the real comparison I think you obviously would like to avoid is the outcome. Whitaker, by most accounts, won that fight pretty handily, yet he was given a draw.
Are you worried about getting a fair shake? The crowd’s going to be very pro Alvarez. Does that worry you about getting a fair shake in this fight?
Trout
It does a bit. We know Texas is a WBC country, but I can’t focus, I can’t use any energy to dwell on things I can’t control. All I can do is just focus on what I can control and that’s what I have to do in the ring.
We don’t want to go out of the game plan. We don’t want to break character to force something that’s not there. So we’re going to just stick to our guns and make sure that we do our absolute best and if it goes to the judges then it’s really in God’s hands. If the judges want to jerk me, that’s between them and God and I have to ask for that later.
Q
One other question, I think I read something about something you do in the Las Cruces area called “Club KO” or something like that. Are you actively involved in that and going to schools in that area?
Trout
Yes, we definitely are. Club KO is just a little club I put together where I go and try to KO some things that are problems in school. One of them is bullying. Another one is peer pressure. And we just try to give them some kinds of tools that they can use to get out of a bad situation that they’re in and by doing that we end up knocking out these problems.
Q
Now when you fought Miguel late last year and you got the win that was sort of what everybody would view as your defining fight. You took on one of the biggest names and one of the best fighters in the weight class. To those who weren’t that familiar with Austin Trout you proved yourself and probably made a lot of fans with that fight.
I’m wondering, Canelo is in a similar situation and he’s got a lot of the fans but a lot of fans want to see him prove himself against one of the elite fighters in the 154 pound weight class. I’m wondering what you think it says about him that he went and demanded to fight you, which not a lot of guys demand to fight Austin Trout? What was your reaction to knowing that this was the one and only fight that he really wanted?
Trout
I have much respect for Canelo for demanding this fight. Some people don’t want to fight Austin Trout, but when his people didn’t want him to fight me then he made his demands known and as a hungry true champion should he called out for the best. So there’s much respect to him for that and for putting his foot down and making that happen.
And I just thank the fans as well because I think it was the outcry from the fans that put the pressure to make him make those demands.
Q
Okay. And also one of the things that he mentioned in his portion of this call was talking about one of his great motivations for making that demand, really wanting to fight you, besides unifying the titles and have a big fight against another champion was his desire and motivation for revenge because you had defeated his older brother when you won your title. So I wanted to know your take on trying to now go 2-0 against family, Alvarez, Canelo certainly regarded as the better of the two?
And also if you could talk about what you mentioned to me on Twitter a little while ago about your thoughts about the rematch clause being one way action for him but not for you? Thank you, Austin. Good luck in the fight.
Trout
Thank you. It’s all motivation. It really has nothing to do with him or his brother. But with the legacy he’s considered one of the best so we want to fight the best. He also has that WBC belt and one of my goals is to be the undisputed champion.
And I’ve had this goal since I was a young boy. So it’s a lifelong work that I’ve been putting in to make this goal happen. That is more motivation, in my opinion, than a two-year old revenge policy that he’s going for.
We beat his brother two years ago and now it’s so important now? I’m not buying it because if that was the case he’d be trying to fight Mundine and Rubio and some other guys that beat his brother. I’m not the only one.
But it’s all motivation. To be 2-0 against the Alvarezes will be great, but more importantly, to beat somebody who’s considered the best and to take that WBC belt, those are my motivations and I think those are imperative for my legacy.
Q
And what about the rematch clause stuff?
Trout
Yeah, the rematch clause is only one way. When I win the clause could be in effect, but if he wins they go about their business. It shows to me a lack of confidence in their fighter. My team believes in me 100% against anybody.
And I know, as you know, De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer tried to not make this fight happen at every turn. When they changed the fight from Vegas to San Antonio there was talk of Angulo being their pony, but that’s when Canelo put his foot down, like a champ, and said, “No, I want Trout.”
They tried hard not to make a fight, but I wonder how they must feel for him knowing that your team doesn’t have the utmost confidence in you. I don’t know that feeling. My team believes in me.
Q
It’s been well documented that there have been plans for the two of you to fight on the under card of Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero on May 4th but Canelo ended up not taking the fight on that day and he’s said multiple times that he wants to be Floyd’s next opponent.
Does this desire of his to fight Mayweather down the road strike you as a bit of a sign of disrespect, like he’s looking through you and towards his next possible opponent?
Trout
I don’t necessarily think its disrespect. If he is overlooking me that’s better for me because regardless if he wants to fight, whoever he wants to fight later, he still has to deal with me on April 20th. I look at it as an advantage if they are looking over me, which they definitely shouldn’t.
He’s been doing this a lot and things just haven’t been going his way. So I like the trend that he’s setting with this whole overlooking people.
Q
Canelo has approached superstar status in the world of boxing and while he has certainly put together an impressive resume, fans, even with victories against Miguel Cotto, have been a little bit slower to come around in support of you. Do you feel uncomfortable being perceived by some as a B-side of some of these big fights that you’re being put on?
Trout
No, no, I don’t feel uncomfortable as being the B-side. I mean I’m more comfortable as the A-side but it doesn’t bother me because really the B-side is a matter of state of mind. I don’t feel like I’m on the B-side, no matter what people say.
And I’m coming to win. I’m not coming for a paycheck. If you look at the pay you’ll see that that’s clearly right, that I’m not coming for just a paycheck. I’m coming for the win. I’m coming for the respect. That’s what I’m fighting for, to get the respect in this game that I feel like I deserve.
Q
Hey, Austin, it seems like a lot of fighters are apprehensive about going on the road to fight someone like say Canelo in front of 35,000 fans. You seem to take great pride in it.
So until you are able to establish yourself as a hometown attraction do you feel like this is going to be your legacy, like you’re going to be boxing’s next road warrior, if not already?
Trout
Definitely. I feel like the fighter that just fights at home and claims to be a world champion is not representing the world correctly. Even after the fact where I feel like I’ve established myself, as a hometown attraction I still wouldn’t mind traveling and extending my belts around the world.
The greats did it. Ali did it. He fought all over the place. Plus I like to travel and I like to see other people in their cultures. It’s not a problem for me at all.
Q
You brought up the great champions like Ali. Do you feel like you’re helping put the world back in world champion, because a lot of guys, they got comfortable just fighting at home, fighting in the U.S.? You’re ready to become the globetrotter?
Trout
Definitely. I would love to bring it back to the golden age where the best fought the best, where we could have these wonderful trilogies or things like that. And again, traveling around the world to defend a world title-we’re trying to represent the world as a champion.
Q
Austin, talk a little bit about that just. You know El Paso. It’s a boxing town. You’re just right next door to us but you also have the Hispanic culture that might go for Canelo.
How big is this fight? I mean do you see it just being-it’s an elite fight. You two are elite fighters. You guys are going at it for one night. And you know, one of you guys are going to come out on top.
Trout
I think it’s just huge for boxing. This is the type of fight that could bring back boxing to the golden age where Leonard’s, Duran’s and the Hagler’s all fought each other. I think that me and Canelo are leading by example on what a world champion should do and how they should fight.
And as far as El Paso goes, I know me being born in El Paso, raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, I’m sure we’ve got a great division going there because the Mexican blood is thick. I’m just glad that I could be a part of this type of event.
Q
Austin, I wanted to ask you a little bit, obviously boxers have great confidence, very, very confident individuals, but after your win against Cotto was that just bumped up a couple more notches and you felt like, “Hey, I could take on anybody?”
Trout
To be honest, I knew I could win. I had to prove it to everybody, same thing here. So my confidence…all I ask for is a chance to prove my work and what a great way with an undefeated champion like Canelo Alvarez.
Q
I wanted to ask you, do you think your fight in New York, fighting in front of Puerto Rican fans is going to help you for this fight down in San Antonio with the Mexican fans? And also, do you think you’re going to help start a new tradition seeing that it’s Fiesta weekend down there and there are probably going to be a lot of people out there, probably over 40,000, you think so?
Trout
I hope we can start a tradition and not just with San Antonio but just with a fight like these going forward. Like I said, there are fights that should happen. If you have a belt, then your next move should be to get another belt, to unify divisions.
I definitely feel like the Garden experience is going to help me prepare for this fight. The fight in the Garden was hostile but it wasn’t as big. So it’s a step up from the fight in the Garden. But nonetheless, like I said, God puts me on the path to prepare me for things like this and I feel like everything I’ve been through is working for helping me become on a stage like this.
Q
Okay, you’re making this a family affair by taking on Canelo. How do you feel knowing that you could win another world title by defeating another member of the same family?
Trout
It’s all pretty much a coincidence, to be honest. His brother had a belt. He has a belt. It’s not like I’m gunning for the Alvarez family. I’m not trying to be the Alvarez destroyer or anything like that. But if another one of the brothers does catch a belt, well then he’d be on my hit list too, you know what I mean?
Q
Okay, and the most famous fighter to come out of New Mexico was the late Johnny Tapia. Did you grow up watching Tapia and admiring him? Did you by any chance get to meet him coming up?
Trout
I got to meet him, definitely. I did watch him growing up and actually Johnny Tapia, when I saw him on TV, as a world champion, he showed me that I didn’t have to go to Philly or to these other places where I thought you had to be to be a good pro in order to make it as a world champion. I could stay in Cruces. Him and Louie Burke and Danny Romero, they all paved the way for me to be able to stay in New Mexico and perfect my craft.
Swanson
Okay, great. That was our last question, Austin. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to join us. If you have one last comment or a final comment you’d like to share with the media before we wrap it up please feel free.
Trout
No, this is going to be a great event. I’m expecting nothing less but the best from Canelo. We know what we brings to the table and I’m more than happy to match him in intensity and fierce. Expect fireworks. This is going to be a good fight.
Swanson
Okay, great. Thank you so much. Media, thank you so much for joining us today. You will be receiving your Fight Week schedule shortly. So we appreciate the coverage. We look forward to your stories and thanks again. Bye.
END OF CALL
Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for Canelo’s WBC title, Trout’s WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico for the vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Championship which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions. The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Newly released seating priced at $150 and $100, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, with a ticket limit of eight per person, will only be available for purchase at the Alamodome box office and go on sale Monday, April 15 at noon CT.
