Verona, N.Y. (Feb. 27, 2014) – The six boxers who will fight on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow, Friday, February 28, live on SHOWTIME® (9:30 p.m. ET/PT, immediately following ALL ACCESS: CANELO VS. ANGULO, delayed on the West Coast) from Turning Stone Casino in Verona, N.Y., all made weight on their first attempts at Thursday’s official weigh-in.

Headlining the show will be undefeated super middleweight contender J’Leon Love against Vladine Biosse in a 10-round bout. In other televised action, Badou Jack will meet Derek Edwards in a 10-round super middleweight bout and undefeated Chris Pearson will face Lanardo Tyner in an eight-round middleweight bout.

Attending tomorrow evening’s event will be its promoter, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, the 10-time World Champion. SHOWTIME Sports’ analyst Steve Farhood will speak with Mayweather during the ShoBox telecast.

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ABOUT LOVE vs. BIOSSE:
Love vs. Biosse is a 10-round super middleweight bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions this Friday, Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME® immediately following the episode 1 premiere of ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Angulo at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) live on SHOWTIME®.

Tickets priced at $60, $35, $25 and $15, plus applicable taxes, fees and service are available at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling the box office directly at 1-877-833-7469 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody for joining us today. We’re very excited to feature the star of the Saturday, March 8fight, none other than Canelo Alvarez and his entire team: Ricardo Alvarez, his brother; Chepo Reynoso and Eddie Reynoso, both his trainers; and also Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions.

Before I introduce Richard, I would like to say that this is our last press event before we head into fight week, and everybody please look for your fight week media schedules. We have great events planned for fight week and we hope to see you there. If you can’t make it to the fight, keep an eye on your inbox because we will be sending you all sorts of press materials to help your TOE TO TOE coverage, including live streams embedding codes, quotes and photos. As always, we appreciate your continuing support.

At this point, I’ll turn it over to Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.

Richard Schaefer
We have about a week and a half until the excitement of “TOE TO TOE” hits Las Vegas and fight fans around the world. It is an unbelievable card. It’s one of those cards as Golden Boy has become accustomed to for really top-to-bottom entertainment and great fights.

We have some young, rising stars on the non-televised portion, and I was just actually adding up the records. If you look at the record of the guys they are fighting, it’s very similar with 185 wins and like 20 losses. So it’s very evenly matched, meaningful fights.

We have the Olympian Jo-Jo Diaz fighting. We have Francisco Vargas, Will Tomlinson, Keandre Gibson, so a lot of great fights. And then we’re going to be moving into the first fight that will be televised on the free view, which is Jorge Linares against Nihito Arakawa, which is going to be nonstop TOE-TO-TOE action. We know that Arakawa is always an exciting guy and of course Linares is as well.

Then, we go into the pay-per-view. Prior to the main event between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo we’re going to have three world-title fights – yes, three world-title fights. Opening up the telecast is going to be another junior-middleweight title bout, which is going to be Carlos Molina from Michoacan, Mexico against Jermall Charlo from Houston, Texas. He is going to be challenging Carlos Molina for the IBF junior middleweight world title.

Then next up is going to be Saul’s brother, Ricardo Alvarez, from Guadalajara, Mexico. He’s going to be challenging Omar Figueroa from Weslaco, Texas for the world title. Ricardo is excited, and in a minute you’re going to hear from him.

Then we have one of the most exciting fighters irrespective of weight class, Leo Santa Cruz, defending his WBC super bantamweight world title against a true Mexican warrior, former world champion, in a very tough fight, Cristian Mijares, and finally, of course, we are going to go to the one we’ve all been waiting for, Saul Alvarez and “El Perro” Angulo.

The fight, as you know, is at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. There are going to be some great fight-week activities planned. It’s promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions, and I’d like to think our sponsors as well, Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. There are still some tickets available. I do anticipate a sellout. I think we are like at 12,000 tickets sold, and I think the capacity is like 14,270, so a couple thousand tickets are left. The $25 seats are sold out. There are some left at $50, so make sure your readers and listeners know to snap up these tickets. There are also a few left at $600, $400, and $200.

We are really excited to have Canelo back in a big night, and the man, the team I would rather say, who have been working with Canelo from a very early, Eddie Reynoso, his trainer – Canelo’s trainer and Ricardo Alvarez’s trainer – and Jose his father, Jose “Chepo” Reynoso, who is the manager for both Canelo and Ricardo and, as we all know, for many other former Mexican greats and world champions.

It is a pleasure now for me to introduce first Eddie Reynoso who is going to give you guys some information as it relates to the training camp.

Eddie Reynoso
Good afternoon to everybody. Thank you for being here. Everything is going well. Training has gone very well, and we’re just waiting for the date of the fight.

R. Schaefer
Now I’d like to ask Chepo – Jose “Chepo” Reynoso – to say a few words about the camp. How is Canelo feeling? How is Ricardo feeling? How are they looking forward to this card?

Chepo Reynoso
Good afternoon to everybody. Thank you so much for being here. It’s been an intense camp. It’s been a lot of hard work because we know the significance – both Canelo and Ricardo know the significance of this bout and how important it is to them, and we’re just ready and looking forward to March 8 and putting on a great performance. Thank you.

R. Schaefer
So now, without further ado, I’d like to introduce to you the current WBC Continental Americas 140-pound champion. He’s the older brother of Mexico’s icon, Canelo. He made his U.S. boxing debut last December in San Antonio on the Dec. 14 card with a win over Rod Salka. He has been waiting for this opportunity. He is excited to be fighting in the boxing mecca of the world, Las Vegas, and of course having a shot at the WBC world champion Figueroa. Please welcome Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez.

Ricardo Alvarez
Thank you very much to everybody. Good morning. Well, we’re ready. We’re looking forward to fight night to get up in the ring and show everybody the hard work and everything that’s been realized throughout the camp, and ready for victory – ready to come back with the win.

R. Schaefer
Now here he is the one superstar from Mexico. I told you guys before already the ratings for his last fight set an all-time TV record in Mexico.

He is exciting. He has that will and that fire to win. He has been a pro since 2005 when he was just 15 years old, he is without any question Mexico’s biggest boxing superstar, but really has clearly transcended here in the United States as well, has a huge following – and yes it has a little bit to do with his looks and the red hair and so on. He is a handsome guy, but at the end of the day it really is his fighting style and his charisma.

He picked an opponent he knows who’s a tough guy, a big puncher who comes toe-to-toe, but that’s what Canelo wants. Canelo realizes that boxing is entertainment, and he is the ultimate entertainer. Please welcome Canelo Alvarez.

Canelo Alvarez
Well, thank you very much to everybody. Thanks for all the support, for being here, and I just want to let you know that I’m very excited. I’m very happy. We’re less than two weeks away, and I’m just looking forward to getting back in the ring and getting back on that victory road. Thank you.

R. Schaefer
Just a quick little side note about the excitement of this fight week and this particular fight as well. I got some information from the MGM and from SHOWTIME as well, they’ve been running contests – the same contest they ran when Canelo fought Mayweather – and the participation rate is almost as big as when he fought Floyd Mayweather.

So we anticipate a big pay-per-view. We anticipate big excitement in Las Vegas in the venue as well, so really looking forward to that one. Having said that, I’d like to open it up now to the media, and you can ask questions from any of those participants.

K. Swanson
As we’re waiting for our first question, I do have a program note that ALL ACCESS: CANELO vs. ANGULO episode one premieres this Friday night, 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on SHOWTIME.

Q
Canelo, I am wondering what was the lesson learned in the fight against Mayweather, and what will you bring from that fight into the ring, if anything, against Angulo?

Canelo
Well, I can’t pinpoint one thing because I learned a lot in that fight, so it wasn’t just one thing. But we did gain a lot of experience, and that will be noted in my fights in the future once I step into the ring to bring that out, and you will see that.

Q
I’m trying to get a sense from both the siblings as to the difference in excitement knowing that you’re both going to be fighting on the same night.

I guess my first question is for Ricardo. Ricardo, for you this is completely new. You’re fighting on the undercard of your younger brother. Can you talk about generally about the excitement of that?

R. Alvarez
I’m very excited. I’m very motivated. I’m very happy to be fighting the most important fight of my life. This is the biggest and most important fight of my career at this point. Not only that, to be fighting in the arena that I’m going to be fighting, the MGM where everybody wants to fight, and of course to be on the undercard of such a great main event and be under my brother – it all contributes to my motivation and my excitement. I’m very happy to be here.
Q
Ricardo, from a standpoint of taking pointers from your brother or vice versa, could you kind of put me in a conversation between the two of you when you talk about fighting a certain fighter or in particular these guys you’re fighting? You’re fighting Omar; he’s fighting Angulo. Do you talk about the styles and the excitement of what it’s going to be like that night?

R. Alvarez
Yes, definitely. We’ve been training together. We’ve been in camp together. So there are moments where we give each other advice and work on techniques to help each other versus our opponent, and yes we’re both very excited. We know what the meaning of this, for both of us, coming out with a victory and what the significance of it is. So yes, we’re very happy, the both of us.

Q
Ricardo, do you see Omar as being – along the same lines, do you see him as being a similar fight to the one that your brother is going to have to fight with Alfredo, and have you also heard some of the comments that Figueroa has made about trying to stop you early in the fight and, in fact, getting a knockout?

R. Alvarez
Yes, the styles are very similar. When you have fighters with these characteristics of going forward and looking for fights and toe-to-toe you’re going to have two similar bouts. As far as the comments made by Figueroa, I congratulate him. He’s training well. He has confidence, and he believes in what he’s done, but I also believe in what I’ve done.

I’m also a fighter that doesn’t look for a step back. I go forward, and I’ve prepared myself very well. I’m used to it. It’s part of boxing, people talking and making those types of comments. That’s part of boxing. But you know what? My talking will be inside the ring where it should be done.

Q
Canelo, what general advice or counsel are you giving your brother about being on a big card like the one he was on in December, and he was successful. This one stands to be bigger. He stands to be in a tougher fight. Is there any general advice that you’re giving him or counsel you’re doing him going into this fight?

Canelo
Yes, of course. The advice I’ve always given him and will continue giving him is to concentrate on the fight, to concentrate on himself in the ring, to for the moment block off the people, the fans, the TV, the big arena – to block that out and concentrate just on what’s in front of him and for that moment just feel like you’re at home just like always. You’ve always been there. So that’s the advice I give him.

Q
What are your thoughts on Angulo saying that he sparred with Andre Ward who he feels is bigger and more technically sound than you are. In fact, he thinks he is superior. What are your thoughts/comments on that?

Canelo
That’s awesome. That’s great. I’m grateful that he’s preparing himself very well, and I’d let you know that I’m preparing myself very well too, and that just guarantees that when we come up in the fight we’re going to have fun and we’re going to give a great fight.

Q
I’m wondering what your thoughts are about having to go up against one of your countrymen? Do you like that, or do you prefer to fight, like when you fought Mayweather, an American or some other – when you fought for the title or when you fought a British fighter. Do you like Mexican fighters as opponents, or would you prefer not to fight Mexican opponents?

Canelo
I always like fighting fighters from all over the world, from different parts of the world, and that’s always what I like. But in this particular case we crossed our path. This was destiny. This was the fight that made sense, and we’re going to be there.

The only thing I can tell you is the good thing is whenever you have a Mexican versus a Mexican it’s a guaranteed great fight, and that’s what we’re going to bring you March 8.

Q
Canelo, I don’t know if you actually watched the fight between Alfredo Angulo and Erislandy Lara. If you have, I’m interested to hear what your opinion was about the way that fight went and the way the ending of the fight went.

Canelo
Definitely he showed tremendous heart. He did great. I mean, whether at that moment or if it would’ve gone to decision I think he would’ve won the fight – that he was winning, and that he would’ve won the fight if he continued.

You never know what kind of pain goes through him or went through him and made him decide to stop the fight at that moment. It’s unknown. But at that moment if the fight would’ve continued or if it would’ve ended, he was winning, and would’ve won the fight in my eyes.

Q
I’m wondering how much desperation is there in you to make sure you don’t lose a second fight in a row which could be considered disaster by some people, and then, by the way, the same thing for Angulo. How much desperation will there be for you also to win this fight?

Canelo
You know what? I’m prepared. I’m just very excited to get back in the ring, and we prepared really hard, and we always prepare for victory and to win, and that’s what I’m looking forward to.

Q
People have a lot of positive things to say about your next opponent, Alfredo Angulo. There are also some negatives, people talking negatively about it. Do you think that the fight is getting the credit it deserves for the opponent that you have in front of you?

Canelo
Look, there are always going to be critics. There’s always going to be people that have something negative to say. But at the same time, there’s always going to be fans and supporters that are going to be coming out in full-fledge, and as you see tickets are showing it, the sales. But the most important thing here is we have to train with full conscious of what we have in front of us, of how dangerous Alfredo Angulo is and can be during the fight, and that’s the important thing.

R. Schaefer
Let me just add something to that as well. Canelo could have fought one of those 154-pounders, and he could have fought for a world title, and it would have been a dance festival. But Canelo doesn’t like dance festivals. Canelo wants to entertain, and I can assure you – I can assure you that this fight March 8 between Canelo and Alfredo will be the most exciting, the most exciting fight, from all those upcoming pay-per-view events. Canelo means excitement. He’s explosive. Alfredo means excitement and is explosive. And if you put those two together it’s can’t-miss TV.

Q
Obviously we know that the characteristics of Angulo, what he brings. What are you going to bring? What are the changes that you’re going to do – and if Eddie and Chepo can answer as well – what are you bringing differently into this fight to adjust to Angulo’s pressure?

Canelo
Yes, we’re doing everything necessary. We’re training for what we have in front of us. We have the sparring, the adequate sparring partners that are very similar to him, and we’re doing the adjustments, and obviously the experience is going to come out. We have the experience, and at the end of the day we’re going to go in there and win the fight.

Q
Can you give us your thoughts on Floyd Mayweather versus “Chino” Maidana that’s coming up in May?

Canelo
It’s a very interesting fight. We’ve got to see. We’ve got to wait and see.

Q
Canelo, was there somebody who helped you to overcome the defeat against Mayweather?

Canelo
I have a lot of family. I have a lot of support, friends, and my team, and I’m very strong-minded. I’m very strong-minded. So yes it was a loss, but I learned a lot from it, and I just move on. I just – I gained experience and move on. But again, I’m strong-minded. I don’t dwell on the past. Now I look forward to the future.

Q
Chepo, what do you tell trainers like Virgil Hunter that criticized Canelo’s corner during the last press conference for not making the necessary changes during the fight against Mayweather?

C. Reynoso
From a distance it’s very easy to criticize. You’re not in the corner. You’re not knowing what is being said. You’re not knowing what is being told. In front of us we had one of the most talented fighters there is.

Yes, there was plan B, plan C, and a variety of different things that we were telling Saul, but it was the opponent in front of us who – again, I repeat one of the most talented – and he didn’t let us do it. So again, it’s very easy to criticize from a distance.

Q
Canelo, you’re listed by some odds-makers as being a 9-1 favorite, and being the fact that this is your first time headlining a pay-per-view I’m just curious how you feel about the expectations that are being put upon you for this event, and do you feel any extra pressure?

Canelo
No, I’m very happy. It’s a big responsibility, a great responsibility. But I thrive on it, and I’m very honored, honored to be headlining and to show the world that not only fighters from other countries can headline events like this but also the Latinos, the Mexicans. We can do it as well. So again, it’s a big responsibility but I thrive on it, and I enjoy it, and with hard work we’re here.

R. Schaefer
By the way, the odds they mean nothing. Look at the last fight a few months ago, Danny Garcia against Lucas Matthysse. Danny Garcia was a 9-1 underdog, and we all know what happened. That’s the beauty of boxing. When you have two guys who come to fight who have that will to win you just don’t know what’s going to happen, and that’s why it’s so exciting.

Q
Canelo, you mentioned being a Mexican fighter and you’re proud of that. I’m curious, for yourself how does it feel holding that torch right now as pretty much the premier Mexican boxing star, the future of Mexican boxing?

Canelo
That motivates me more even to work harder, because you’ve got to remember Mexico is rich in history when it comes to Mexican fighters, and that motivates me and makes me work harder. I’m very honored.

Q
Here you’re facing off against Angulo who’s a straight-ahead, straightforward guy. I’m just curious are you just looking forward to fighting somebody that has that type of style, and do you think it’s going to live up to the hype of being toe-to-toe?

Canelo
Yes, definitely – definitely a different style. Obviously he’s a fighter that comes forward, that hits hard, that can take a punch, and that’s what’s going to make the fight live up, and that’s what the people want to see. They want to see action, and that’s what they will see March 8, a lot of action.

Q
Canelo, you prefer exciting fights. Do you feel boxing judges unfairly favor defensive tactics like the kind Mayweather employs?

Canelo
No. No. No. Definitely they recognize him. He’s a great fighter, and they know that. He’s a boxer. But the fight, the fans also love to see action. They love to see knockouts. They love to see wars, and that’s what we want to give them.

Q
Canelo, are you now less inclined to face defensive-minded fighters like Mayweather and Lara in the future?

Canelo
No, I’m open to fight whoever and wherever. It’s just time will tell and dictate who, and we’ll see in the future. But right now I’m concentrating on what I have in front of me, and that’s Alfredo Angulo for March 8.

Q
In the Austin Trout fight, Canelo, you showed you can box. You have a lot of slick movement, and you can box and move out. Is that something you’re going to implement in this fight with Alfredo, more boxing, or do you plan on going toe-to-toe and go to war?

Canelo
No, I fight both ways. I can box, and I can go toe-to-toe, but we’re going to do what is more convenient for me, and that’s what we’ll impose once we’re in there.

Q
Of all the fighters that have beaten “El Perro,” the one more similar to you is James Kirkland because he’s also a pressure fighter. Did you watch that fight as a way to know how to beat Angulobecause Lara and Cintron boxed him, but Kirkland went to war with him and was able to wear him down. Do you expect to be able to do that same thing?

Canelo
Yes, I did see the fight – two different styles, two styles totally different. I know what I have to do. We’ve been training. We’ve been working hard. We’ve been working on different things. Once we get into the ring we’ll see what he brings and what we have to do and make the adjustments necessary to do whatever needs to be done to get the win.

R. Schaefer
As I said, we have a week and a half to go up until the excitement of “TOE TO TOE” – mano a mano in Spanish. It’s going to be invading Las Vegas. We have an exciting fight week starting on Tuesday with the fighter arrivals.

On Wednesday we have open media workouts, and open to the public as well, from the MGM Grand Garden. And then on Thursday we have the press conference, the final press conference, followed on Friday by the weigh-in, and then of course fight night on Saturday, March 8 in Las Vegas from the MGM. Make sure you let your readers and listeners and the public know that there are some tickets left.

The $25 tickets are sold out. There are some $50 seats left, so please go and get them before they are gone. It’s going to be, as I said, an exciting night in Las Vegas because with all these fights on the card it’s fireworks, and fireworks it will be on March 8 in Las Vegas. Thank you all, and I will see you there.

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“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In world title fights on the undercard, Two-Division World Champion Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against former Three-Time World Champion Cristian Mijares exciting young star Omar Figueroa will risk his WBC Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo Alvarez and Carlos Molina will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast in over 400 select movie theaters across the country.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @mgmgrand, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

SAN DIEGO — (Feb. 25, 2014) – Several dozen television camera crews, newspapers and web reporters, photographers, (video) bloggers and fans were on hand to watch popular former WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez during his media workout at House of Boxing on Tuesday in San Diego.

With Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya looking on, Canelo worked out for a little over an hour. He shadow-boxed, hit the mitts, did calisthenics, worked the speed bag, smacked the heavy bag, did stretching exercises, posed for photos, signed autographs and conducted copious amounts of interviews, some in groups and others one-on-one, as traditional Mexican music blared in the background.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out today,” said the humble yet confident Canelo (42-1-1, 30 KOs), who leaves Southern California for Las Vegas on Monday. His showdown against Mexican compatriot Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs) will take place Saturday, March 8, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena live on SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). “I am very thankful and appreciative to all of the media and fans here. They provide me with my motivation.”

In three world title fights on the PPV undercard, undefeated two-division world champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KOs) will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight title against former three-time world champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KOs); unbeaten Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (24-0-1, 17 KOs) will risk his WBC Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KOs) and “King” Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KOs) will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KOs).

Tickets are on sale and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Movie theater tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Below is what Canelo, his manager Eddie Reynoso, his trainer Chepo Reynoso and Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya said Tuesday:

CANELO ALVAREZ

(“What are your thoughts on what figures to be a slugfest with Angulo?)

“There are hard fights and there are difficult fights; this is going to be a very hard fight, a grueling fight. I know Angulo is training like he never has before.”

(If victorious, who do you want to fight next?)

“I am not thinking of any other fighter or any future fight. My only focus is on Angulo and March 8. This is a really tough fight and it is the only fight I think about.”

(How is this camp different than your past camps, or is it different at all?)

“I learned a lot from the Mayweather fight, not only physically, but mentally. It was a great learning experience. This camp may not look that different, but I’ve been applying everything I learned into this camp and trying to refine some of the things I do.”

(How have you managed to handle the media scrutiny throughout your career?)

“I don’t think about it. This performance is going to regain everybody’s confidence in me.”

(Did you ever think you’d reach these heights as a professional fighter?)

“No, never. I always just tried to be the best fighter I could be, the best in the world. All of this notoriety and popularity is a plus but I’m just a normal person trying to succeed and reach my goal.”

(Is Angulo made to order?)

“His style is one that I enjoy because I know he loves to trade punches so I won’t have to go looking for him.”

(Do you consider yourself a superstar?)

“I do not and would never consider myself a superstar. I leave that up to the fans and media to decide.”

(Any advice for fighters coming up?)

“Work hard and stay in the gym. If you stay disciplined, good things will happen.”

(Is there a fighter you’ve faced that reminds you of Angulo?)
“I think that if I had to name one fighter it would be Carlos Baldomir, because I fought him when I was so young and he was so strong at that point in his career.”

(Is it important for you to win by knockout, or just to come out victorious on March 8?)

“I never go into a fight looking for a knockout. I just want to win convincingly, although there’s no doubt our styles will make for an exciting fight.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Golden Boy Promotions President

“I’m very excited about this whole event and, of course, especially the main event. It’s going to be an exciting fight, a helluva fight. It’s going to be a shootout.

“With two Mexican warriors in the ring, you may go in with a game plan, but once one of them gets hit, well, Viva Mexico. It’ll be bombs away.

“You really don’t want to miss this event. From top to bottom, there are great, action-packed fights. Last year I thought we put on the most exciting fights and we’re continuing that with our first pay-per-event in 2014.

“I want to thank the fans for all their support and for supporting Golden Boy Boxing.”

CHEPO REYNOSO, Canelo’s Manager

“It’s going to be a very interesting fight because the styles complement each other. Angulo is an aggressive fighter who comes forward. That’s the tailor-made style for Canelo to make a very exciting fight.”

EDDIE REYNOSO, Canelo’s Trainer

“It’s going to be a hard fight. We’re up against a very strong fighter in Angulo and that’s why we’ve been training so hard.

“Training has been going very well. We’ve been training very hard and effectively and that’s why we expect to have Canelo get his hand raised on March 8.”

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“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In world title fights on the undercard, Two-Division World Champion Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against former Three-Time World Champion Cristian Mijares exciting young star Omar Figueroa will risk his WBC Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo Alvarez and Carlos Molina will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast in over 400 select movie theaters across the country.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Kelly Swanson
We’re excited to be joined today by one of the main event contestants in the “TOE TO TOE Canelo vs. Angulo” pay-per-view event Saturday, March 8. On today’s call is Alfredo Angulo, former WBO Interim Junior Middleweight World Champion; also, Virgil Hunter, Alfredo’s trainer and Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Eric Gomez to translate.

And of course now to make further introductions and talk a little bit more about the show is Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions.

Richard Schaefer
This is going to be the first pay-per-view of the year here in the United States, and it is an all action card, it is “TOE TO TOE.”

I was looking this morning again at the card, and even the non-televised fights I think are just great match ups and exciting fights. It’s definitely one of those cards where you want to be early at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and see all these fights. I saw Jo Jo Diaz is going to be on there, Avery Gibson at 8-0 is going to be on; Francisco Vargas against Abner Cotto, what a great match up that is; the recent signing of Will Tomlinson from Australia, Junior Lightweight, 21-0, against Jerry Belmontes; and then of course Jorge Linares against Nihito Arakawa. Some of those fights will be on the SHOWTIME preview, so they’ll be available to a large audience as a lead-in to the pay-per-view.

And then you get to the SHOWTIME PPV card with Carlos Molina and Jermall Charlo for the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship; you have Omar Figueroa against Ricardo Alvarez for a WBC Lightweight World Championship, and then you have Leo Santa Cruz against Cristian Mijares for the WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship. I mean, it’s just an unbelievable night of boxing and I think it will be very well received by the pay-per-view audience here in the United States. It is distributed internationally as well, of course, and if the ticket sales are an indication I think this will be a home run. We have over 12,000 tickets sold. Some of the categories are sold out, but there are still tickets available, $600, $400, $200, $150, and I do expect a complete sell out at the MGM Grand.

I want to thank our colleagues at MGM. I want to thank our sponsors as well, Corona, AT&T, and Casamigos Tequila. The Carlos Molina-Jermall Charlo fight is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The fight of course is going to be distributed live on SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific, and it can be heard in Spanish as well using a secondary audio programming.

So, without any further ado I’d like to thank Virgil, and I’d like to thank Alfredo Angulo as well, for making themselves available today. I’ve got an update from camp, and I hear Alfredo is looking sensational. This is exactly the kind of fight one gets up for; where you will see without any question the best Alfredo Angulo we have seen. And we know Alfredo Angulo, with a record of 22 wins, 2 losses, and 18 KO’s, when Alfredo is at his best it’s very, very difficult for anyone to beat him. So he not only has heart but he has that iron will to win.

The man who gets him in shape to get him ready is the 2011 Boxing Writers of America Trainer of the Year, Virgil Hunter, who is obviously one of the most respected trainers in the world and trains many, many stars, including of course Andre Ward and Amir Khan. So, I know he’s very confident in Alfredo, and I’d like to turn it over now to Virgil to make some opening comments and talk maybe a little bit about training camp.

Virgil Hunter
I agree with Richard, Alfredo is very much up for this fight and into this fight. That’s not to say he wasn’t in any other bouts that he did, but we understand the magnitude of this opportunity and we intend to make the most of it.

I’m very pleased with the camp situation. We’re fortunate to have several of the guys in camp doing mini camps and conditioning, and because of that we’re able to provide Alfredo with a lot of different looks in sparring, which I feel complements the style that he has and he has the opportunity to pick up on various things that the styles offer.

Everything’s going great, no injuries, no setbacks, we’re right on schedule, we’ll be on target on everything, and you’re going to have a very determined fighter now, Alfredo Angulo, on March 8, and it’s going to be a fight that I don’t think the world, anybody in the boxing world should want to miss. I think everybody should tune in.

R. Schaefer
You mentioned the word “opportunity” and I agree with you, I think in boxing a lot of it has to do with opportunity. There are a lot of talented fighters, there are a lot of hungry fighters, but it is about creating these opportunities, and when Alfredo talked to me and really wanted a fight with Canelo, obviously there are a lot of fighters out there who would love to have this fight because Canelo is one of the superstars of the sport. When you are the kind of fighter like Alfredo is, a warrior, always looking for the biggest and best challenges, then that is exactly what he wants.

For us here at Golden Boy I like to get these kinds of opportunities and then it is up to Alfredo to have the right motivation, we know he has the talent and we know he has the desire to get up and show on March 8 who is the best 154 pounder. With Alfredo, I got to know him a bit outside of the ring as well. He truly is one of the kindest and nicest people outside of the ring I have ever met, and a stark contrast with the person in the ring, where he is just a vicious warrior and always on the attack, and I think that’s why he has so many fans all around the world. When Angulo fights, people watch, and there’s going to be no exception on March 8.

It is a pleasure now for me to introduce to you one of the most exciting fighters, his battle in 2011 with James Kirkland was a candidate for Fight of the Year. He is originally from Mexicali, Baja California, fighting now out of Los Angeles, record of 22-2 and 18 KO’s, Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo.

Alfredo Angulo
Hi, guys. I really appreciate everybody being here and I really appreciate the opportunity for this conference call. Thank you so much to SHOWTIME and Golden Boy for this opportunity, it’s very exciting to be on this pay-per-view. Thank you so much for this opportunity, I really appreciate it, and I have been working really hard for this fight and will put on a really great fight for the fans.

R. Schaefer
OK, gracias, Alfredo. We are going to open it now to the media for questions; if you have any questions for Alfredo or for Virgil Hunter, they’re both on the line.

Q
Richard you talked about opportunity for Alfredo, obviously he’s getting some special treatment and respect being on this call by himself, it’s a great opportunity for him, but can you characterize what happens if he wins and what happens if he loses.

R. Schaefer
Well, I think you don’t just get the opportunity, you earn the opportunity, and I think Alfredo has earned that in the way he fought and the way he fights. Boxing has really moved away, I think, particularly in the last couple of years or so, where excitement, win or lose, is being more rewarded than it used to be and fighters don’t really have to go back in the line if they lose in an exciting fashion, and sometimes an exciting loss these days is, frankly, more valuable than a boring win. I will give you an example, like a Rigondeaux, and I don’t mean to knock in any way or shape Rigondeaux, I respect him, I admire his talent, he’s one of the best fighters in my opinion, but crowds like to be entertained, and Alfredo has that style. So I think he has earned this through his hard work and dedication to the sport, and of course a win, nobody wants to lose, but you know, Alfredo is must-see TV, and I don’t think anything changes in that regard.

Now, if you beat somebody like Canelo and you are in the 154-pound weight class, there are of course many big names and opportunities out there, and I don’t need to tell you who the biggest name is, we all know that, that of course is Floyd Mayweather. So I am not going to go and make any statements or promises and so on now, ‘if you win you’re going to get Floyd or so,’ but there are other big names there whether it’s Miguel Cotto or so on, so the door certainly would open and it would lead to mega-fights. I think Alfredo knows that, but Alfredo is a veteran, and he was actually telling me that at the L.A. press conference, he’s not thinking ahead of that. His only task at hand is Canelo Alvarez, and I think Alfredo would be foolish, which I know he is not, to look past Canelo Alvarez. So, his focus is on Canelo and let’s see what happens.

Q
I talked to Andre Ward yesterday and he had some really specific things to say about Angulo’s punch placement and his pursuit, his ability to cut off the ring. He also said that he anticipated sparring with Alfredo for a second time last night. What do you take from Andre’s comments and also did that sparring session take place again last night and what have you gained from it.

A. Angulo
First of all I’m not sure if I’m going to be boxing any more with Andre or not, it’s not up to me, but the times that I did box with him, he’s a very good fighter. He’s got a lot of talent, experience, and he’s got a lot of qualities that are superior to Canelo. So I know that it’s helping me, and to be able to be in that ring with Andre Ward, it’s a plus for me and it’s a positive. I’m very grateful to him for the work, for the nice comments, because he knows how important this fight is to me.

Q
Alfredo, this is a huge opportunity, as Richard has said, and you realize it. What is at stake for you, given the fact that you were chosen over some pretty tough competition for this fight, and are you going to sell out and really just probably fight your best, hardest fight ever?

A. Angulo
Yes, you know, I’m very grateful. I want to thank, once again, Richard Schaefer and the entire team at Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity, for having the confidence in me so that I can be in this kind of fight. But at the same time I feel that I won my spot, I won my spot through my hard work and my style of fighting. I’ve always given 100 percent up in that ring, and I’ve given it my all, so I kind of feel that I won my spot, and there’s a reason why I’m in this fight. This is a very, very big opportunity for me and I want to take full advantage.

Q
Virgil, you said there have been no injuries, obviously, he suffered an eye injury in the last fight, can you characterize that? And also, what are the benefits that you see in him having sparred with guys like Amir Khan, who’s smaller and quicker, and obviously Andre Ward, who’s bigger and the complete package?

V. Hunter
Just to the injuries on his eye, other than swelling, wasn’t what people assumed it was, and it was unfortunate because the diagnosis that night was done in the ring before he even stepped out, and it wasn’t by a doctor it was speculation by someone else. The injury was definitely an abrasion on the cornea, what the ophthalmologist felt was pretty much like a poke or something like that, and we’ll leave it at that.

The sparring with the different guys is that I never changed his style because that’s him, and I wanted him to naturally gravitate towards other things that would mesh with his style, and by doing that and showing him different looks, different styles of boxing. Then, as he and I talked about when he was training in Los Angeles and pretty much sparring against one type of style, he stays locked in that style, but now because he’s been exposed to different styles, different looks, very fast and quick styles, he’s been picking up and adapting to these things naturally and naturally integrating them into his style without being force fed, without being mind fed. It’s come along naturally through his participation and observation. So that to me was the benefit and the purpose of different looks and styles. But we do also have sparring partners in camp simulating the style of Canelo also.

Q
Alfredo, do you think you can win the fight if it goes the distance, or do you feel you have to stop Canelo in order to get the victory?

A. Angulo
Well, sincerely it’s hard to answer that. I really can’t say. I’m training to win. I’m training to win whatever happens, whether it goes the distance, or if the knockout comes, I’m training to win. So, I can’t really answer that.

Q
Are you driven by your underdog status? You seem to almost be, if you win this it’s definitely kind of a Rocky story come to life. Does that fact drive you at all, or do you just try to keep emotion out of it?

A. Angulo
You know, I really don’t think about that. I really don’t care. I’ve been the underdog most of my career, I’ve gone against the current and I just do my job and I work hard. But I really don’t think about that.

R. Schaefer
I just want to add to that, last I checked his nickname is actually not the underdog, it’s “El Perro,” the dog. He is not the underdog. He is the dog.

Q
Virgil, does Canelo’s power and style concern you at all?

V. Hunter
Of course his style concerns me. Anybody that Alfredo, or any other fighter in the stable, who he goes up against concerns me. He’s a good fighter. He’s proven that. And he’s not anybody to be playing with in the ring, so of course his style concerns me.

Q
At the last fight with Canelo and Floyd you made a comment that you felt that maybe Saul didn’t have enough experience to be able to beat Floyd. In this fight do you feel that you have the experience to beat Saul?

A. Angulo
I’ve been in the ring with good fighters, talented fighters. I also have an extensive amateur background, so I have plenty of experience. But, you know, Canelo’s also been getting better, he’s been getting better and he’s had some good experience in the last few years, so that’s what’s going to make this fight very interesting. It’s going to be an interesting fight, and we’ll see what happens.

Q
There’s obviously other fighters that were being mentioned as possible opponents for Canelo, but for some reason you were chosen. Why do you think you were chosen?

A. Angulo
I think the reason that Canelo decided to fight against me is because he’s a smart fighter and he knows that he wanted to prove to his fans that he’s ready to fight a good fighter, a fighter that’s very strong, and most importantly, a fighter that makes exciting fights. I know that I’ve proven throughout my career that I always give exciting fights, and I think that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to make a good show and we’re going to put on an exciting fight.

Q
Virgil, how difficult is it to train a fighter that’s very, very aggressive and to get him to be disciplined and to have other attributes, possibly defensive attributes?

V. Hunter
Alfredo’s not a difficult fighter to train. The difficult fighter to train is the one who doesn’t want to train, that’s the difficult one. So he’s not a difficult fighter to train. My intention, it’s obvious, is that I don’t teach the style that Alfredo was taught, but I believe that if you’re going to be a good coach that you should subject yourself to the various styles that these champions possess so you can learn. Two years from now I might have another Alfredo and I’ll know even more what to do. Defense is something that I do very well, and within his style we continue to work on this, and I see the improvement daily.

So, it’s a pleasure working with him, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, because he gives it his all, he doesn’t play around, he doesn’t kid around, and any fight that he goes in he’s in that fight. He got an opportunity to win that fight and proved in his last outing (Erislandy Lara) against what some consider the best 154 pounder in the world, and certainly was the best amateur that ever existed, so going into a fight with Alfredo Angulo I’m always going to go in confident because I know he’s always going to have an opportunity to win that fight.

Q
Alfredo, in your last fight against Lara, it was a tough, competitive fight, it was back-and-forth, you knocked him down twice. I’m just curious from your perspective what did you take out of that performance, and do you have any regrets at all about the way that fight ended?

A. Angulo
I learned plenty in that fight. But most importantly I feel that I demonstrated that I can adapt to any style and I can fight pretty much any style boxer. I’m working hard every day with Virgil, I’m learning every day, and that’s the most important thing, that I’m learning and I’m ready to put on a good show, all the time.

Q
Alfredo, since you faced a southpaw last time out and someone that has a Cuban amateur background that Lara has, are you looking forward to facing someone like Saul Alvarez who is the complete style contrast, a guy that will go out there and give you a war?

A. Angulo
You know, basically, I’m happy to fight. That’s my job, I’m supposed to be fighting, and I’m happy to fight, and it’s my job to figure out styles. I’m just glad that I have Virgil on my side to help me construct a game plan and figure out the styles. I am happy that I’m facing another Mexican, because as all the fans know, everybody knows when two Mexicans get in the ring it’s a guaranteed show, it’s a guaranteed exciting show. And March 8, don’t expect anything different.

Q
There’s no title on the line in this fight against Saul Alvarez, but being the fact that he had the biggest fight ever with Mayweather in his last fight do you see this as a title fight, just being on this big grand stage and fighting someone that is well known, like Saul Alvarez?

A. Angulo
You know, I pretty much consider all my fights like world title fights. Yes, I know that in this fight it’s not going to be for a title, but my motivation, my world title is the fans, winning over the fans, making sure that they’re happy with my performance. That’s my motivation, and I consider that kind of like winning a world title if they’re happy.

Q
What do you consider the most dangerous attribute that Canelo has that he’s going to bring to the fight? And how do you classify him, what level do you see him and how do you classify yourself?

A. Angulo
Canelo has gained a lot of experience the last couple of years, but he’s a fighter that has fast hands and he can also box if he wants to, so those are maybe some of the attributes, some of the things that I have to look out for. As far as myself, categorizing myself, I really can’t say. I don’t pay attention to that. All I do is fight, and I let my fighting do the talking for me. Canelo knows that I’m a good fighter, and that’s basically all I can say.

Q
Alfredo, Canelo’s coming off of a loss just like you are. Whose loss was more valuable in experience to the defeated fighter and why?

A. Angulo
Both fights were very, very different. Canelo is coming off a loss to Floyd Mayweather, the pound for pound No. 1 fighter in the world, and in that fight he hardly touched him. My fight, I’m coming off a loss to one of the best fighters in the world, and that is Erislandy Lara, and in a fight that arguably I was winning. It was a very, very entertaining fight, a very exciting fight, and I was possibly winning the fight. So, both fights were very, very different.

Q
Alfredo, have you noticed the recent trend of A-side Golden Boy boxers getting upset by rugged Latino fighters in need of career defining wins; for example, Maidana did it against Broner, Jhonny Gonzalez beat Abner Mares and Victor Ortiz was knocked out by Luis Collazo. What do you think about that?

A. Angulo
Yes, yes, I have noticed. But that’s the beautiful thing about boxing, it goes to show that you can be the best fighter in the world but if you don’t train and you let your guard down, anybody can come and beat you. That’s why you’ve got to be ready at every turn and you have to train hard.

Q
Would you continue this trend, Alfredo, and upset Golden Boy’s Canelo to earn your signature victory? And if you win, what would you like to do next, Floyd Mayweather sweepstakes perhaps?

A. Angulo
God willing, it’s going to be that way. That’s what I want, that’s what I’m working for, and it will happen that way. As far as who I want to fight next, I’m not thinking about that. I’m just thinking about Canelo Alvarez right now, that’s on my mind, and it’s not up to me. It’s up to my team. It’s up to Golden Boy, Richard Schaefer, to decide who I’ll fight next. I’m not worrying about that. The most important thing for me right now is Canelo Alvarez.

Q
You spoke very respectfully of Lara, Alfredo. He beat you and he beat Austin Trout, can he beat Floyd Mayweather? How good is he?

A. Angulo
Well, you know I really can’t say. They both have very similar styles. I think if they ever fought each other, I know for sure it will be a boring fight because all they do is they worry about their defense, or they try to do a lot of defense, or they turn their backs a lot, so I know that for sure. I know that it would be a boring fight if they ever fought each other.

R. Schaefer
All right, I’d like to thank Virgil and Alfredo to be on the call. I’d like to thank all the media members for their support of this great top to bottom, “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” and all the other great fights.

Just a few fight week activity updates, we’re going to have, on Sunday, March 2, at Olvera Street in Los Angeles a fan rally sending off the fighters. We have Canelo there, Alfredo there, Leo Santa Cruz, Cristian Mijares, Omar Figueroa and Ricardo Alvarez. On Tuesday, March 4 is the official arrival at the MGM in the afternoon, starting at 1:00, of all the fighters.

On Wednesday it’s going to be an open workout in the MGM Grand lobby, open to the public, with all the fighters participating. Then on Thursday March 6 we have the final press conference for the full card. On Friday of course is the weigh in, and then on Saturday it’s Fight Night, March 8t, live from the MGM Grand. Make sure you tell your readers or listeners that tickets are still available, we do anticipate a sell out, and I’m excited to see you all in Las Vegas on March 8h. Thank you very much.

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In world title fights on the undercard, Two-Division World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KO’s) will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against former Two-Time World Champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KO’s); exciting young star Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (24-0-1, 17 KO’s) will risk his WBC Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KO’s) and “King” Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KO’s) will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KO’s). Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast on over 400 select movie theaters across the country.

Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com orwww.ticketmaster.com. Movie theater tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

JERMALL CHARLO, Top Junior Middleweight Contender

“I’m super excited to bring the IBF title back to Houston. It’s been a long time coming for me and my twin brother Jermell. On March 8, I’m going to give it all I got.

“This is like a regular fight to me. I work hard for every fight. Carlos Molina, he is just the stepping-stone and I just have to get past this obstacle. Once my team gets past this, I feel like we’ll be at the top forever.

“This fight is big. It’s major. I’m 17 -0 right now. I haven’t even clinched 20 fights and I’m fighting for a world title. I feel like an elite fighter. I have an elite team behind me. So, it’s just a matter of time.”

[On working with trainer Ronnie Shields]
“It’s great. I feel like it can’t get any better. Having a team like this led by Ronnie Shields, it doesn’t get any better than this.

“This is like any other fight I’ve ever had. In 2013 none of my opponents had been knocked out. I knocked them out. I face top guys and it’s just another day in the office for me.

“My team gets me ready and it’s not about just me. My team got me prepared and ready with what I can do in the ring. Ronnie Shields has been with top-class athletes in the sport of boxing. I’m the next one.”

[On the work to get to this point in camp]
” We all have one big goal to accomplish. With my team behind me like they’ve been behind me, I couldn’t ask for anything better. Not only my team, but I have the whole city [of Houston] behind me. It’s just in a matter of time. Training with Brian Vera, training with my twin brother, those guys push me to be where I am. I know I have a lot to prove so, on March 8th I’m going to give you all I have and bring that IBF title back to this city.”

RONNIE SHIELDS, Charlo Trainer

[On what he is doing to prepare Jermall Charlo for his upcoming fight]

“We aren’t doing anything different then what we’ve already been doing. The thing about us is, we train hard every day. We don’t skip a beat on anything because on certain fights people might not think what we are doing is that important. Every fight is important. So you have to be ready for every fight. This is what we’ve always trained for.”

[On Jermall’s growth as a fighter]
“At the end of 2012 we were 10-0. So I called Al Haymon and I said ‘Look, you have to sign this kid.’ I said ‘this kid is going to be champion of the world for a very long time. He’s young and he’s strong. He’s got everything that it takes.’ So he said OK. I said we’ve just got to keep him busy. So, seven fights later, seven knockouts, now here it is and he’s fighting for a world title.”

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In world title fights on the undercard, Two-Division World Champion Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against former Three-Time World Champion Cristian Mijares exciting young star Omar Figueroa will risk his WBC Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo Alvarez and Carlos Molina will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast on over 400 select movie theaters across the country.

Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Movie theater tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

The first two Saturdays in March are a window that will provide a look at whether two heavily-hyped fighters, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Canelo Alvarez, have retained their popularity among their loyal fan base.

Chavez comes off controversy on March 1 in a rematch of his hotly-debated decision over Bryan Vera. Then, Canelo tests his Q rating on March 8 against Alfredo Angulo in his first bout since losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a decision seen as one-sided by everybody but a judge, C.J. Ross, who scored it a draw.

Chavez and Canelo may never share the same ring because of all the usual divisiveness in boxing’s balkanized business. Still, they are linked, almost like a couple of rival politicians, in an ever-shifting race for allegiance among Mexican and Mexican-American fans. If presented a ballot these days, some of those fans might be tempted to vote none-of-the-above. Neither distinguished himself in his last outing.

Of the two, however, Chavez suffered more damage to his reputation and legendary name than Canelo sustained in a predictable loss. The difference: Chavez did it to himself. Canelo had it done to him.

Chavez appears to be closer than ever to losing a nation of fans who revere his dad, yet have grown ever more exasperated with the son’s apparent sense of entitlement and lack of maturity. Chavez continued to make a mockery of making weight and training before he got a gift on the scorecards against Vera in September. They booed him.

“I owe the fans,’’ says Chavez, a brand new father.

Is Chavez just talking or serious about sustaining a commitment to his craft this time around? It’s fair to wonder about that. Ratings for his HBO rematch at San Antonio’s Alamodome with Vera will say a lot about whether fans have given up on him.

That said, fans also might decide to wait-and-see. It will take more than one good fight from Chavez to win them back. If he is in shape, he figures to beat Vera easily. But the real proof would be in what he does over the next couple of fights. After a victory, he too often gets comfortable, falls off the wagon and into a lifestyle with no discipline. Roadwork consists of midnight laps around the couch and to the fridge.

For Canelo, there’s a different kind of skepticism. His pound-for-pound credentials took a big hit when he was so out-classed by Mayweather in September. Not to worry, Canelo promised in a conference call.

“I learned a lot from that fight,’’ he said. “I learned a lot from the Mayweather fight. He’s got a style that’s very complicated. He’s got a style that’s very intelligent and he fights intelligently. I think that his whole purpose is just to win. But I learned a lot. I learned a lot about the fight itself inside the ring and outside the ring as well.’’

In Angulo, Canelo took a fight he figures to win. Still, it’s dangerous. Angulo is tough and heavy-handed. He knocked down accomplished Erislandy Lara twice in June, before losing 10th-round stoppage. He also might have learned some valuable new tricks in sparring with Andre Ward. Virgil Hunter trains both Angulo and Ward.

Let’s put it this way: Angulo has better shot at scoring an upset than Vera does.

Yet, Golden Boy Promotions is betting that Canelo will emerge with his career and popularity intact. Canelo’s Showtime-televised comeback against Angulo at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand is a pay-per-view bout.

“I have loyal fans and I’m very grateful for that,’’ Canelo said. “They’re always going to be with me. I feel that they’re going to support me through thick and thin. They’re going to follow me in this Pay-Per-View.’’

If they don’t, only Canelo will pay.

NEW YORK (Feb. 20, 2014)—SHOWTIME Sports will offer a robust block of programming across cable and digital platforms in advance of the SHOWTIME PPV presentation of “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a live four-fight pay-per-view event on Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

More than a week’s worth of live and taped programming will be available on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, CBS Sports Network, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, on mobile devices via SHOWTIME ANYTIME®, and the premium network’s website at SHO.com/Sports before March 8.

The blitz of programming begins with the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Angulo on Friday, Feb. 28, on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) and concludes with Canelo vs. Angulo: COUNTDOWN LIVE on Saturday, March 8, a 90-minute live preview on SHOWTIME featuring at least one live undercard fight (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT). The eight-day marathon includes live coverage of the Final Press Conference and Official Weigh-In, full fight replays and a SHOWTIME EXTREME ‘Roadblock’–four continuous hours of programming on Fight Day beginning at 10 a.m. ET/PT.

ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Angulo
The critically acclaimed original series returns as SHOWTIME Sports chronicles the preparation of the fighters for the first boxing blockbuster event of 2014. Episodes 1 and 2 take viewers behind the scenes in training camp and into the lives of Canelo and Angulo, the power-punching Mexican countrymen as their intensity builds towards their 12-round super welterweight showdown. The final episode of the series, titled Epilogue, provides viewers unprecedented access to Fight Week, the drama between the ropes during the main event matchup and into the fighter’s minds in the rarely seen aftermath of world-class prizefighting.
Ø Episode 1 premieres on Friday, Feb. 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

Ø Episode 2 premieres on Wednesday, March 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

Ø Epilogue premieres on Saturday, March 15 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME immediately following the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING presentation of Danny Garcia vs. Mauricio Herrera.

CBS Sports Network will air encore presentations of Episodes 1 and 2 following respective SHOWTIME premieres, and all episodes of the series will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND, SHOWTIME ANYTIME and online at SHO.com/Sports.

In addition, all three episodes will be produced in Spanish and premiere on FOX Deportes. For more information regarding the schedule for FOX Deportes, please visit http://www.foxdeportes.com/tvschedule.

LIVE FIGHT WEEK COVERAGE
SHOWTIME Sports will offer live coverage of both the Final Press Conference and the Official Weigh-In from the MGM Grand. The events will be streamed live on SHO.com/Sports with the weigh-in televised live on CBS Sports Network.
Ø Final Press Conference: Thursday, March 6, live from the Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

Ø Official Weigh-In: Friday, March 7, live from MGM Grand Garden Arena beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

FULL FIGHT REPLAYS
Beginning March 3, encore presentations of memorable bouts featuring Canelo Alvarez, Alfredo Angulo, Omar Figueroa and Leo Santa Cruz will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME, CBS Sports Network, SHO.com/Sports, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND and SHOWTIME ANYTIME. The bouts and their SHO Extreme replays are as follows:

Select SHO Extreme replays are as follows
Monday, March 3
Ø Canelo’s memorable win over Austin Trout in front of nearly 40,000 excitable fans at San Antonio’s Alamodome from April 2013 (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, SHO EXTREME);

Ø Angulo’s thrilling battle with Jorge Silva from LA Memorial Sports Arena, Dec. 2012 (11:30 p.m. ET/PT, SHO EXTREME).

Tuesday, March 4
Ø Canelo’s SHOWTIME debut versus upset-minded Josesito Lopez from Sept. 2012 (10 p.m. ET/PT, SHO EXTREME);

Ø Angulo’s courageous performance versus Erislandy Lara from June 2013 (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, SHO EXTREME);

Thursday, March 6
Ø Fight of the Year candidate between Omar Figueroa and Nihito Arakawa from July, 2013 (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, SHO EXTREME);

Ø Leo Santa Cruz vs. Alexander Munoz from SHOWTIME PPV in May, 2013 (11:30 p.m. ET/PT, SHO EXTREME);

Select CBS Sports Network replays are follows:
Monday, March 3
Ø Canelo vs. Lopez (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

Ø Angulo vs. Silva (7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

Ø Figueroa vs. Arakawa (8 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

Ø Angulo vs. Lara (9 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

Tuesday, March 4
Ø Canelo vs. Trout (8 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

Ø Santa Cruz vs. Munoz (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

SHOWTIME EXTREME “ROADBLOCK”
On Fight Day, March 8, SHOWTIME EXTREME will air four continuous hours of programming beginning at 10 a.m. ET/PT in support of the evening’s live pay per view event. The programming block will feature Episodes 1 and 2 of ALL ACCESS plus the aforementioned encores of Canelo vs. Trout and Angulo vs. Lara.

“CANELO vs. ANGULO: COUNTDOWN LIVE”
The 90-minute pre-pay per view show “Canelo vs. Angulo: COUNTDOWN LIVE” features live interviews, special features and a live, 10-round lightweight bout between two-time world champ Jorge Linares and Japanese brawler Nihito Arakawa. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT and runs until just prior to the start of the SHOWTIME PPV presentation of “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. “COUNTDOWN LIVE” is hosted by Brian Kenny and features SHOWTIME sportscasters Al Bernstein, Paulie Malignaggi, Steve Farhood, Mauro Ranallo and Brian Custer.

# # #

ABOUT “TOE TO TOE: CANELO VS. ANGULO”:
“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In world title fights on the undercard, two-division World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KOs) will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight title against former three-time World Champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KOs); exciting young star Omar “Panterita’’ Figueroa (24-0-1, 17 KOs) will risk his WBC Lightweight title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KOs) and “King” Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KOs) will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KOs). Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast on over 400 select movie theaters across the country.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com orwww.ticketmaster.com. Movie theater tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

ABOUT SHOWTIME
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody for joining us today. We’re very excited to be talking about the fantastic undercard of the Canelo vs. Angulo pay-per-view event, which is taking place Saturday, March 8 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and live on Showtime PPV®. Today joining us will be Leo Santa Cruz, Cristian Mijares, Omar Figueroa, Carlos Molina, Jermall Charlo and Eric Gomez, who will be running the call.

We’re going to start with Jermall Charlo and Carlos Molina and then work our way up to the other fighters. So, without further ado I’m going to turn it over to Eric to give the notes and make the introductions for the fighters. Eric?

Eric Gomez
Great. Thank you, Kelly. Thank you very much to all the media that’s on the call. We appreciate you guys being on. The co-feature, Leo Santa Cruz vs Cristian Mijares is a 12-round WBC Super Bantamweight followed by Omar Figueroa vs. Ricardo Alvarez, the for the lightweight world championship. Opening up the pay-per-view telecast will be Carlos Molina, the IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion against Jermall Charlo.

Saturday, March 8 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions, sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. The show is going to be produced and distributed by Showtime PPV, beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and 6:00 p.m. Pacific.

The event can be heard in Spanish using Secondary Audio Programming, SAP. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $150 and as low as $25, not including the service charges, taxes, available to be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

“Toe To Toe: Canelo vs Angulo” will be broadcast to nearly 400 select movie theaters across the country. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.fathomevents.com.

Okay, after having said that let me introduce to your first our first fighter participating on the undercard. He’s a young, undefeated American fighter, 17-0 with 13 knockouts out of Houston, Texas, first started boxing in September of 2008, has won his last four within the division, including the fifth round knockout of Joseph De Los Santos in December. He’s a twin brother of the unbeaten also contender, Jermell Charlo. He is 23-years-old and this is his first world title fight against Carlos Molina. So, if I can please introduce Jermall Charlo to say a few words.

Jermall Charlo
How is everybody doing? I’m just pleased to be on this card fighting in Las Vegas for the second time at MGM Grand on March 8 against the IBF World Champion Carlos Molina. This is going to be a test night for me. I’m prepared for it. As of right now, today, I’m probably nearly just 10 pounds over the weight. I feel strong.

Carlos Molina is a great fighter. He’s a world champion. I give him all the credit for even just choosing me to fight him and giving me the opportunity. I’m going to be well-prepared, well-disciplined in the ring when it’s time to go. I just want to give the fans an exciting toe to toe match-up that they’ve been waiting for.

E. Gomez
That’s great. Thank you very much, Jermall. Now, I want to introduce the World Champion, Carlos “King” Molina with a record of 22-5, two draws, six KOs, originally from Michoacán, Mexico. Now he’s living in Chicago, Illinois. He’s the World Champion. He’s 30 years old. Carlos is probably the most avoided champion out there. It’s incredible. He’s the toughest guy out there and he won the title by beating Ishe Smith in probably one of the biggest Pay-Per-Views in recent history.

But, you know what, he’s stepping up to the plate again to defend his title and looking for bigger, better things in the division. So, Carlos, can you please make a few comments?

Carlos Molina
Thanks to everybody for being here. I feel great. The training camp has been going good, top shape, I feel good. I just want to fight and defend my title as often as I possibly can. Like I said before, I just want to keep fighting and I plan to get those bigger fights and decided to take this fight with an undefeated fighter like Jermall Charlo and just whoever they put in front of me, I’m ready to fight and I’m ready to run.

Q
Jermall, when you got this fight it caught maybe some people by surprise because your brother, who is also undefeated and was moving along, at this point has a few more fights than you professionally, has maybe fought a little bit better competition than you. Was there anything within the family between you and your brother that was sort of like, oh man, that he said to you that you got this title fight before I did, even though the view was that maybe he fought a little bit better at this point because he had had a few more fights than you had?

J. Charlo
Yeah, of course, you know, me and my brother we stick by each other’s side and he called me with just a little bit of laughter in between like, wow, you made it, like this is it right here. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I’m going to make my best to get this opportunity to fight Carlos Molina out of nowhere and just like they doubted my brother, they’re doubting me. So, it’s only making me try harder and it’s only making me grind to my maximum potential where I’m going to shut Carlos Molina out.

Q
I believe it was Eric that talked about Carlos is not a guy that a lot of people want to fight because he’s really good and he’s really got a difficult style to fight. You really have to be on your technical game to beat a guy like Carlos Molina.

I’m wondering when you look at the way he fights whether it was when he fought against Erislandy Lara a couple of years ago in a draw that many people thought he got robbed in or the fight when he won his title against Ishe Smith not too long ago, what do you see in his style that makes you believe that your boxing skills are going to be good enough to, like you said, shut him out or win a very clear decision against him?

J. Charlo
The thing is Carlos Molina, yeah, he’s fought great competition; I don’t feel like Carlos Molina lost against anyone he lost to. I feel like he’s an undefeated fighter at heart. But he’s never fought anyone with my size, my power and my skill, so I’m giving Carlos Molina something he’s never seen before and I want to see how he can deal with it. I mean, he’s the most feared fighter in our division right now that has a title and all of the good things, but I’m going to give him something that he’s never seen before, just like he’s going to give me something that I’ve never seen, but I’ll be more prepared than he will be.

Q
Your brother just got a big win against Rosado a couple of weeks ago. He’s still undefeated. If you beat Carlos Molina and you become the IBF Champion is there ever a scenario where you and your brother would fight each other in a world title fight?

J. Charlo
No. Our belts are going to hang up together. A lot of people ask that and I mean, I don’t think anyone would even want to see my brother and me fight each other. They want to know about it, but it’s not going to happen.

Q
Carlos, they’re taking you, sticking you in the ring against an undefeated guy who a lot of people think very, very highly of. What’s your perception of the way that your first title defense came about?

C. Molina
I mean this is what I wanted. I want full fights, you know. And this was a fight that was also available to me right now at the time and I jumped right in to fight. And, like I said before, I wanted to fight in December and I couldn’t fight Victor Ortiz because they didn’t sanction it, but I’m just very excited. I don’t usually vacation, I don’t need time off or stuff or anything like that. I’m just ready to fight the best and I’m ready to fight for this.

Every month if it was available to me, I’d be fighting every month. Whatever they give me I’m willing to fight.

Q
Carlos, do you look at the main event and think how will it be? Obviously, a big fight for you to fight the winner, particularly if it was Canelo Alvarez, I mean knowing the kind of fans and money that he brings to any kind of event. Is that really part of the motivation for taking this fight on this card?

C. Molina
Well, no, no, not the motivation for it. That was not the motivation. I train hard fight no matter what because if I don’t win I don’t get to advance. And I don’t care what card I’m in or who’s fighting on the main event, to me I’m not going to be kicking around Canelo if I can’t get the fight. I’m just ready to fight if can. If I can’t get the fight, I’ll fight Jermall Charlo then I’ll fight his brother also. That’s what I want, I just want to fight.

Q
First of all, can you reflect on your brother’s performance and how does that motivate you going into a big fight like this, obviously, your biggest opportunity of your career, in terms of the way he handled it and how that rubs off on you?

J. Charlo
Gabriel Rosado, as everybody knows he’s tough and he has nothing to lose, just like Carlos Molina. I know Carlos Molina has his world title that I’m so hungry for. He has nothing to lose fighting me, the way I feel about it. He is the storm. Just like my brother weathered the storm, I’m going to weather the storm also.

Q
Okay, is there anything about his style that you find particularly difficult, pretty much everybody he’s fought has found it to be hard. He’s rugged, very sneaky, he can brawl at times. Do you characterize his style and what it takes to beat somebody like him?

J. Charlo
Carlos Molina is a beast and I’m taking nothing away from Carlos. Everything he wants to do in the ring, he knows how to win, obviously. He’s the world champion. I don’t want people thinking that I’m thinking that Carlos Molina isn’t what he is and I know he’s a monster in the ring so I’m not necessarily worried about his style, I’m not necessarily worried about what he’s going to do. It’s all my God-given attributes that will display the victory for me.

Q
Carlos, obviously, it’s been referenced already over your career the hard luck you’ve had to get in this position, how close your fight was and almost unlikely it was for you to win the title against Ishe Smith, which you did. Given what you’ve been through can you characterize how motivated and determined you are to keep your title?

C. Molina
I mean, it was a tough road. But I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me or anything like that. That made me a better fighter and I wouldn’t have it any other way, winning my title the way I did. I’m always motivated. I know how hard I’ve worked to get to this point and I’m just, I’m so focused in every fight.

Every fight I treat the same. I treat every fight equally because without winning I wouldn’t be here, so every fight to me, I train like a championship fight, so this is no different. I’m just going to be in top shape and ready to fight.

Q
You’re fighting a very young, talented, big, athletic fighter. Other than his youth, what are the things that are different, if at all, about him than anyone else you’ve fought?

C. Molina
I mean, it’s hard to tell. It’s always hard to tell until you get in the ring and experience it for yourself. We’re just going to give ourselves; I would picture him being even better than what he is right now so that when you go into the ring you’re ready for anything. So, you know, he’s got that jab, he’s got that height and that’s what he uses real good, so we’re just going to take that away from him.

Q
Carlos, people have alluded on this call that basically you have a very awkward style and people find you hard to fight. Obviously, it makes you pretty avoided. How would you describe your style if you had to describe it?

C. Molina
They always say awkward. They say awkward because I feel like they can’t figure it out. So, if you can’t figure it out they just call it awkward. But if anything my style is just smart, sneaky, aggressive, just never do the same thing, always adjusting. And that’s what I do and I’m always thinking no matter what. You’re not always going to see the same fighter under every fight because you’ve got to fight different fighters different.

With this fight it’s no different. I’m just going to adjust to whatever he brings and whatever he does and I’m ready.

Q
Do you think it’s more how you train or is it you as a person, it’s natural for you to be awkward and just have your movement in the ring? Is it something that you consciously make an effort for, I guess, not able to be adjusted to?

C. Molina
Well, yeah, you’ve got to look at who you’re fighting and what they do the best, and then what they do the best, you try to neutralize that. And you just go off that. If he edges up, then I edge up again. It’s always, it’s like a chess match.

They think I’m awkward or a certain style is there. The next thing you know, you take it away from them and you just keep adjusting. You never do the same thing over and over again.

Q
Jermall, have you been sparring with Erislandy Lara or have you been claiming to do that? And has he given you any advice on what to expect with Carlos Molina, seeing that he’s basically the only person to have actually beaten Lara?

J. Charlo
No. His fight with Molina was not advice for me. I’m trained by the great Ronnie Shields. He has a great game plan for Carlos Molina. Ronnie Shields actually lost to Carlos Molina twice, so I don’t think a third time it’s going to happen and we’ll just see how the fight plays out once we get in there.

Q
Was it Carlos who chose you or you did you guys kind of come together and start negotiating from the table because you wanted to fight each other?

J. Charlo
Every fighter, 154 pound division that’s trying to rise to the top where the fighters at the top kind of know what’s going on with each other. At heart, Carlos Molina got turned down by the sanction when he was going to fight Victor Ortiz, which I would have thought he’s the guy. I’m actually further down in the rankings and it’s a lot of guys that really wanted to fight.

And I’m working with Al Haymon, who is the best in boxing and he manages my card and every time I fight he tells me, look, you’re only getting better and better, smarter and smarter, keep trying it and one day we’re going to get that big shot. And sure enough, it happened.

E. Gomez
Before we introduce the next fighter, if we can have a closing statement from the champion, Carlos Molina. Can you just make a closing statement, please?

C. Molina
Yeah, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity and letting me be as successful as I’ve been in the sport that I love. And I’m ready to put on a show on March 8th and I bring the fight to Jermall Charlo and I’m ready.

E. Gomez
And the challenger now, Jermall, can you please make a closing statement?

J. Charlo
My closing statement is just I want to thank God for just giving me this opportunity. And, Carlos Molina, can you hear me?

C. Molina
Yeah.

J. Charlo
I’ve got a lot of respect for you, man, but when it’s time to fight I respect no party.

C. Molina
Yep, same here, man.

E. Gomez
So, now we’ll introduce the next fighter.

He’s the newly crowned WBC Lightweight World Champion out of Weslaco, Texas. He’s a hard punching fighter, exciting, he’s only 24-years-old. Figueroa, he’s undefeated and he’s going to be in a tough fight come March 8th. He’s fighting Ricardo Alvarez, who is Canelo’s brother, and in one of his most recent fights Figueroa won a unanimous decision in what many people consider, including myself, as one of the best fights ever.

These guys threw so many punches. It was a fight of the year candidate against Nihito Arakawa, and he needed to take a little time off after that fight it was such a grueling fight. It was an exciting fight and now he’s back March 8th to defend his title.

So, Omar, are you on the line? Yes, if you can make a couple of opening statements and then we’ll open it up for questions. Omar?

Omar Figueroa
For sure, we’ll start off saying thank you, guys, at Golden Boys for the opportunity I’m in, my team, everyone making it possible, the WBC. I know I just lost strength, again, but it’s a strong organization, staying at the top of boxing for a while, so I know it will get back to where it was at. But other than that I’m grateful, I’m excited and I’ll be ready come March 8th.

Q
I want to ask you about, going back to, Eric mentioned the fight you had with Arakawa last summer. First of all, if I remember correctly, you hurt both hands in that fight, right?

O. Figueroa
Yes, sir.

Q
How are they now? Because it’s been, you’ve had now a number of months to rest them and make sure that everything is okay. How are those hands?

O. Figueroa
The hands will be all right come March 8. That’s not going to be a worry. Whether they feel fine or whether they don’t, either way the fight is going to happen. And if I mess them up during the fight, it’s going to be the same thing as what happened to me in the Arakawa fight.

I can’t stop, I won’t stop and not my hands, not anything like that. So, you’re still going to get a good show regardless.

Q
Okay. A lot of people thought that was, in fact, the fight of the year last year, like Eric was saying. It kind of came out of nowhere. I think a lot of people knew Omar Figueroa and the kind of style you bring to the ring, but most people were not familiar with your opponent.

When that fight was over, what was it like over the next few weeks, few months, when you would see boxing fans? Can you describe sort of the reaction you would get when people would come to you and talk to you or ask you about that fight? Because it sure made a big impression on a lot of people it seems to me.

O. Figueroa
Yeah, there was certainly I couldn’t expect it; me and my team did not expect that. We honestly felt like we were going to get him out of there in two or three rounds. And it was headed that way until I hurt my hand. It’s like Carlos was saying, it’s a chess game in there. And as soon as I hurt my hand, everything changes, a million things goes through one’s mind.

And, like he said, you have to adjust to whatever, adjust better in the ring and more than likely you’re going to be the winner. I feel like that’s the reason I fight and that’s the reason I fight and what I do because when it comes to thought or movement, I can do that and I do that well when I’m in training camp.

Training gets a little heavy and a little tiring and I do take some days off and on those days I box and I avoid getting hit or I avoid mixing it up. It just gets boring to me. So, the reason I don’t like to do that is because it gets boring. And I know I look like I got hit a lot or like I took a lot of punishment, but in reality I didn’t.

Q
Now, Arakawa is fighting on the undercard also against Linares, so when you guys see each other, say, at the press conference or when you’re maybe in the hotel, do you think you guys will have like a, I know the language barrier is there, but I know you guys have a lot of respect for each other; do you think you’ll have a little bit of a high five or handshake or hug or something in memory of that great fight you had?

O. Figueroa
Definitely. It’s an honor, it was an honor to be in one of those fights, especially for me. I look up to the guy, I admire the guy because he has tremendous work and will. He has balls of steel and the heart of a champion. To be able; because we know how hard I hit, I know how much damage I dealt and for him to be able to take that and smile and remember where we were at because other fighters didn’t remember where we were at, he’s just, I don’t know, an amazing human being when it comes to in relation to boxing.

So, yes, definitely he’ll get a hug, a high five, a handshake, whatever it takes. I’m grateful to have fought him.
Q
When you fought that fight you ended up with the interim title. And then when Adrien Broner decided to stay as a welterweight and was stripped of that title because, obviously, he hadn’t fought a lightweight for quite a while and then you were moved up to the WBC’s full champion. Did it take away anything that you weren’t able to; you won the fight in the ring and they gave you the belt, but you know you were the interim champion. Does it take anything away for you to get it sort of like with a letter or a phone call or a message as opposed to standing in the ring hearing Jimmy Lennon call you, “and the new World Champion”? Does it in any take away from your enjoyment and what you feel about your accomplishment?

O. Figueroa
In reality, it doesn’t really phase me because I don’t really fight for titles. I don’t fight for belts. I fight for something like what you saw on July 27, which is that kind of fight, like knowing that you were in that kind of fight, the reaction I got from the people, the respect that I earned from my opponent and just the fact that everybody, even the casual boxing fans, everybody loved that fight. And that’s what I fight for.

I could care less for titles. I mean, yes, they mean more money, but other than that it doesn’t mean anything nowadays because it’s so, I don’t know how to explain it. But it didn’t matter. Whether I was the champion or now, I’m still going to train the way I train the way I train. I’m prepared for every fight and I’m just willing to go out there, balls out, and try to give the fans the best show they can possibly see. So, title, it doesn’t really matter to me.

Like I said, at the end of the day it means more money, but other than that, a title is just a title. I think the boxers need the belt and I’m going to try to make the best of that belt.

Q
Omar, great fight last time, the kind of fight that Mexican fans like and, obviously, if they’ve seen that fight that’s probably what they’re going to expect this time. Having said that, you’re also going to be in against the brother, the older brother, of a Mexican icon and there are going to be a lot of Mexican eyeballs on this telecast.

What does that mean to you by extension with your being a Mexican-American and knowing that they’re going to be watching your fight, possibly more because of him, but maybe also as much because of you and your style?

O. Figueroa
Like I said, that doesn’t really faze me when it comes to fighting. It won’t change the outcome of a fight or it won’t have any effect on a fight whatsoever. But I’m going to perform like I’ve always said. I’m going to go out there and give 150% and whatever it takes to win, that’s what I’m going to do.

And the main reason we took this fight was because it did represent a good opportunity in the sense of the fan base and the people that would be watching and the amount of people watching. So, other than that, it doesn’t mean anything, but it’s just numbers.

Q
Can you talk more about your thought process when you talk about the fan base and the amount of people and am I wrong in referencing the fact that there are going to be a lot of Mexicans watching this?

O. Figueroa
Oh, yeah, definitely. I mean we have the biggest Mexican fighter right now fighting on that card, so yes, definitely there’s going to be maybe 80% of people watching the fight are going to be Mexican and then to have his brother, have his name out there against me, so that just represents a great opportunity. It’s perfect for me. It’s a perfect platform for me to get my name out there and whatever and I know that the WBC is the Mexican organization, so knowing that it just passed and that for the amount passed and that was given to me and everything, so people are definitely going to be turning out for that fight.

Q
Is there a part of you that kind of pinch yourself for the way things have kind of worked out, that your fight wound up being the interim title and that the WBC belt is based in Mexico and that you are fighting on this card? It just seems like it’s, I don’t know what to say, more than coincidence, but it just seems like you said, perfect.

O. Figueroa
No, sir. This may be a dream come true, but it’s something that I envisioned myself in. I saw this coming a long time ago. And I guess it’s something that you have to, to be great you have to think great thoughts and you have to feel great. You have to train like you’re great. Everything has to be like you’re the greatest and that’s what I’ve been doing.

I’ve been preparing like I’m the greatest. I’ve been training like I’m the greatest. So, I guess you can call it power of suggestion or whatever you want to call it, but it’s just a mentality that you have to have. So, no this doesn’t feel surreal. It just feels like it came in due time. So, I guess other than that, it just came in due time and I’m just going to keep grinding and keep working as hard as I’ve been working.

Q
What do you think about what Ricardo is trying to do? He’s trying to become the third brother, which would make history, in one family to become a world champion?

O. Figueroa
I’m very thankful and gracious for this opportunity to be on this card and to be fighting and defending my title. Obviously, I know that Ricardo, my opponent, is going to be motivated. He’s going to be motivated; he’s trying to make history. He’s trying to be the third brother in the same family to win a world title.

But, obviously, I’m the world champion and I’ve got a lot of say and I’m going to do my part so that that doesn’t happen and I’m going to be well prepared because I know that he’s coming and he’s motivated. And if he saw my last fight he’s in for a tough fight and he’d better be in shape for 12 rounds because I’m going to be in shape for 12 rounds and I’m going to defend my title.
Q
I had a conversation with Joel Diaz, who is your trainer and Joel seems to think it’s going to be a fight that’s going to end, it’s going to end before five rounds, that the way you are training right now, the way you’re looking, he should be able to get a quick knockout and knock him out within five rounds. Omar, do you believe that? Do you think that you’re capable? I mean, you’ve had a long layoff. The last fight was a tough fight. Do you feel that you’re in position to deliver on that kind of a statement that Joel Diaz is making?

O. Figueroa
Joel has some validity to what he’s saying. He’s the one that’s training me, he’s the one that’s watching me and he notices everything I do and the hard work I put into my training camp and my craft.

Most of the time, most of my fights, the majority of my fights, have ended within two or three rounds and it just happened to be that in the last fight I hurt my hands and I didn’t hold up, but I was still able to go 12 hard rounds and that’s what I’m preparing myself for. I’m preparing myself to give it my best and to be in the best shape and to give a good fight and, obviously, yes, I am going to be looking for the knockout.

But if it doesn’t come, if the knockout doesn’t come and if I happen to hurt my hand again, then I’m mentally strong and I can adjust and I know that I’m going to be ready to go 12 rounds and do what I have to do so I can win this fight. So, I’ll be ready. I’ll be ready regardless.

E. Gomez
Okay, great. Thank you very much. Omar, thank you, once again for being on the call. I know that you’re busy in training camp. So, if you can just make a couple of closing statements before you hang up.

O. Figueroa
Yes, definitely. Again, I’m just thankful and grateful for this opportunity. I’m definitely not going to disappoint my fans when it comes to effort. That’s one thing I make sure of and that’s one thing I train to make sure that I don’t do. So, I would just expect the best Omar Figueroa and I would expect a good show. Best of luck to all these fighters and may God protect them during the rest of their training camp, my opponent and everyone, have great training camps and make it safely to the fight.

E. Gomez
All right, so now to introduce our last two fighters on the call. This is the co-feature, Leo Santa Cruz is going to be on the line as well as the challenger Cristian Mijares. This is going to be a 12-round WBC Super Bantamweight World Title. Obviously, Leo Santa Cruz is the Champion. He’s going to be defending his title against the former Champion and challenger from Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. He’s a former three-time World Champion. He’s 32 years old, Southpaw, one of the best fighters in Mexico.

Cristian Mijares is 14-1 in his last 15 fights, dating all the way back to November of 2009. His only defeat came in a world title fight and it was a split decision, controversial split decision against Victor Terrazas and he’s looking to give Leo Santa Cruz all he can handle on March 8th.

So, I want to introduce to you Cristian Mijares. Cristian.

Cristian Mijares
I would like to say hi to all the press. Thank you for being on the call. I’m very happy and motivated to be on this fight card and to be fighting against Leo Santa Cruz for the title once again. Obviously, Leo is a very good fighter and I’m excited to be fighting him and ready to get my chance at the title to become a world champion again. So, thank you all for being on the call.

E. Gomez
Now, I want to introduce the World Champion. Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz. He’s undefeated, 26-0, 15 knockouts, originally from Michoacán, Mexico, now he’s living in Los Angeles. He’s widely recognized as one of the highest volume punchers in the game today, broke on to the international scene June of 2012 when he won the IBF Bantamweight World Championship.

Last year he mowed through Alex Munoz in May, earned the Super Bantamweight World Championship after knocking out the Champion, Victor Terrazas in August. And in December he had a very tough fight against Cesar Seda, but was able to win the fight and convincingly.

So, now he’s facing a mandatory challenger, Cristian Mijares, which promises to be a very, very good co-feature and very good fight. So, Leo, if you can please say a few words.

Leo Santa Cruz
Good afternoon, everybody. I want to thank to Golden Boy, Richard Schaefer and my manager Al Haymon for this opportunity, always putting me in great card. I will try really hard not to disappoint.

Q
Three quick questions for you. One, two years ago Oscar De La Hoya said you were the best kept secret in boxing and since then you’ve fought on network TV on CBS, you fought on Pay-Per-View on Showtime. Do you think you are no longer the best kept secret in boxing?

L. Santa Cruz
Hopefully, that’s what I want to be, a good fighter. And I’ll leave it up to the people and if they think I’m a great fighter, I can’t say it for me, I can’t really say that, I guess. But I think I’m doing my job, I’m training hard to become that and if people say it, then it will be fortunately so. I’m going to keep on working hard, training, so that people can be talking good about me and think that.

Q
Do you think people have a better idea and know who you are now more so than they did maybe two years ago?

L. Santa Cruz
I thank God for bringing Al Haymon, my manager, into my life, Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer. And Showtime, because for them they were the ones that gave me the foot here, they were the ones giving me this big undercard. If it wasn’t for all the people like that, nobody would know me because I wouldn’t be on Showtime, I wouldn’t be on this undercard Pay-Per-View like I am now. So, I think I owe that to my manager, to my promoter and Richard Schaefer and Showtime.

Q
My second question is since you became Bantamweight Champion a few years ago and now you’ve become a Super Bantamweight Champion, two weight classes. How is it different for you when you go into the ring knowing that you’re the hunted rather than the hunter when you were pursuing that first title? Is there a different mindset about the way you go about your business in the ring, knowing that you’re defending titles rather than chasing titles?

L. Santa Cruz
No, it feels great. I say that to myself that I’m doing a great job. Before I was the one chasing and now when I hear that people want to fight me, they ask people who do you want to fight and then they say Leo Santa Cruz, it shows that I’m doing something good because they want to fight me, so it just makes all the hard work I’ve been doing and just staying up to really; at the same time it gets me more motivated. It keeps me training harder and trying to learn more. A lot of outsiders are trying to fight me to take that away from me.

Q
My last question, Leo, is as you’ve fought a few experienced fighters the last couple of years, guys with a lot of time in the ring, what will make fighter Mijares different than fighting some of the other guys you’ve faced who have had a lot of experience?

L. Santa Cruz
I think that as I’ve been watching his videos, he’s being trained by, he has a lot of trainers that I see a really good fighter. He’s fast and everything, but everything like that tells me I started working in the gym. So, I think that all the experience, like I sparred with people with great experience, Ponce De Leon, all those Mexicans, a lot of fighters with great experience. So I think in the gym is where I’m learning and when I go out there in the fight I just go and do my job and try to do everything like they tell me and just go out there and give the best, do a great job.

Q
It’s a little easier for you to fight more experienced guys now than maybe it was a couple of years ago when you were still kind of learning, right? You’re much more comfortable fighting older, experienced fighters now, aren’t you?

L. Santa Cruz
Yeah. Those are the fighters I like to fight, they’re more experienced, they adjust more to my style better than fighting like a wilder fighter because they come in, they’re wild. When you fight those experienced fighters your timing is better, everything you do, better punching, everything is better. So, I think those are the fighters that make me work harder.

Q
Leo, you have said in the past that you’ve had fighters whose style you idolize or at least try to emulate. Can you name a few of those fighters? I believe you had said Julio Cesar Chavez was one of them and, if so, what about your style is reflective of theirs do you believe?

L. Santa Cruz
When I was growing up we used to watch Chavez videos and he used to teach me that he loved his body shots and the pleasure that when he grows forward boxing. And my dad, since I started boxing my dad always taught me that body shot, so it’s back to the fact that when you get to that level…. But, that’s what we did, always in the gym practicing, going forward. And like Chavez after he came through a title, his style after he used to fight, box, like to punch and move. That’s how we try to do. When we have to box we’re going to box, if we have to go and pressure, we’re going to go pressure. We’re trying to learn from everything.

Q
My last question is in your last fight Cesar Seda was very clever. At times he exchanged body shots with you, very exciting fight. What did you take away from that fight that you can improve on that will help you in this fight? I don’t think you were quite able to do everything you wanted to do with him and had to make adjustments. What did you learn from that experience?

L. Santa Cruz
He was a great fighter and he came ready, he wanted that title and he showed that night. But we, I think had to box a little more and I think we’re going to that now for Mijares and I’m in the gym training really hard and little by little we’re going to be practicing how to fight those kind of fighters that move a lot.

Q
The name or the fighter that guys both have in common is Victor Terrazas. Can we measure both of you guys or your fight against fighting Victor Terrazas?

C. Mijares
No, it’s very different. There’s no parameters between Victor Terrazas there’s no comparison. It’s very different. It’s about styles and Leo has a different style. But I think that we both beat Victor Terrazas. Obviously, I didn’t get the decision, but I think that I wore him down. I hurt him in the fight and I prepared him for Leo. But I’m going to be well-prepared for this fight. This is going to be a different kind of fight against Leo and I’m going to be well-prepared and I think that we’re going to be, both, giving it our all and it’s going to be a great fight.

L. Santa Cruz
Yes, I agree with Cristian. It’s very different. This is about styles. It’s a different style and even though we both fought the same guy, it doesn’t mean that you can measure us on that fight. But I’m glad that he’s training hard because I’m also training hard and I know I’m fighting a very, very good fighter in Cristian Mijares, so I have to be 100%. And that’s all I can expect. I’m going to be ready and I know he’s going to be ready and I’m sure we’re going to both make it a good fight.

Q
In your last fight with Seda you actually fought a very good disciplined fight. You kind of gave yourself a low mark in that fight, even though I thought you performed fantastically. Do you feel that you have to top each performance and each fight as you go along in your career?

L. Santa Cruz
Yeah, I think as I go I think I can be learning more and to be improving, the more I’m winning and the more I’m picking better opponents, better fighters, fighters those kind of fighters are better, so I think for every fight I need to be adjusting a little more and that’s what we’re doing in the gym. My dad is teaching me and we’re practicing and we’re trying to learn little by little so that when we get to those points we already know how to fight those fighters and in every fight we’re trying to do that more and I think that’s what’s showing and I’m just glad and I’m training harder every time.

Q
Before you fought on network television, the pre-fight segment it shows that you mainly fight for your family and, basically, for your brother and his serious medical condition. It’s been over a year later. What’s the prognosis today? How is your brother doing and has his condition gotten any better?

L. Santa Cruz
We were really like struggling and I always want to give my family a better life and thank God that he gave me the talent to become a boxer and be good at it. So, for my brother, he’s doing a lot better since I fought the Munoz fight, he was in the hospital then during that fight. But ever since that fight, he’s been great. He hasn’t gone to the hospital. He hasn’t been hurting. His muscles are better, everything.

Before like every week he used to go to the hospital because he would be hurting and when it was cold his body would swell up and he could not even walk or anything. And now, none of that has happened. I thank God that he’s been great. It’s been already I think a year and he hasn’t even gone to a doctor, only for a check up and stuff like that, but not to stay in the hospital because he’s hurting or anything. So, I’m really glad and happy to have him like that.

Q
Cristian, do you consider this your last opportunity to become a world champion?

C. Mijares
No, not at all. I don’t think about that at all. I’ve been asked that before, but I don’t think about that at all. I’m going to be a world champion. I’m going to win on March 8, I’m going to be a world champion. That’s the only thing on my mind and I’m very motivated. I’m very motivated for this fight. I know I’m fighting a very good fighter and the World Champion in Leo Santa Cruz, but I’m motivated for this fight. I will be the World Champion and I’m ready for bigger and better things, to be considered in the big fights once again. So, that’s all that’s on my mind.
Q
Do you see Leo as more of a complete fighter? He’s a two-time World Champion. Is he more of a complete fighter than Victor Terrazas when you faced him? Can you compare them?

C. Mijares
Of course he is. He’s a way better fighter, of course he is. It’s going to be a difficult fight. He’s more of a complete fighter, it’s going to be a difficult, complicated fight, but that’s what I want. That’s what motivates me. I’m concentrated on this fight 1,000 percent and, yes, that’s what motivates me, that he is such a better fighter.

Q
Leo, this is a fighter that you’ve admired when you were coming up. He was a former Champion, you followed him, you admired him. Can you talk to us a little bit about that?

L. Santa Cruz
Yes, I admired Cristian and I followed his career when he was coming up, when I was first starting, he followed his career. I admired him and I knew that at one time, sooner or later, I was going to be at that level and possibly even fight him. And, lo and behold, here we are. I’m going to be fighting Cristian Mijares.

E. Gomez
We’ll do some closing statements with both fighters and then we’ll conclude the call.

C. Mijares
Thank you all once again. It’s going to be a great honor for me to be in this card, to be fighting. I’m very gracious to be fighting against Leo Santa Cruz and it’s going to be a war, it’s going to be a very, very good fight. It’s going to be a war. We’re going to give an exciting fight to all the fans and hopefully God, both fighters don’t get hurt and may the better man win.

L. Santa Cruz
I just want to give thanks to my manager Al Haymon, Showtime, Richard Schaefer and for giving me this opportunity and keeping me fighting on this big undercard. For me it’s an honor to fight on this undercard of Canelo and to fight a great champion like Mijares. And I want to give thanks to all the fans all over the world because they’ve been supporting me and they’ve always been there to encourage me and keep me motivated to train harder.

So, I want you all, the people, to watch us on pay-per-view or to come out and support us on March 8th because we’re training really hard to give a great, great fight for you guys. And we’re just motivated and you guys are the ones that keep us motivated, so March 8th you guys are going to get a great fight because that’s what we fight for, for the fans and to able to go home happy. Thank you.

E. Gomez
Great, thank you. Thank you very much, Leo. Thank you for being on the call. And thank you, once again, to all the media that called in for this very important conference call. Once again, Saturday, March 8th, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Toe To Toe, distributed by Showtime, you can get it on Showtime Pay-Per-View. Tickets, tickets are still on sale at the MGM Grand garden office, box office. You can go on the website, www.mgmgrand.com or at Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com. Thank you very much. Have a beautiful week.

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,”a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event 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). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be shown in over 400 movie theaters nationwide. For more information and a list of theaters, go to www.fathomevents.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

LONDON (Feb. 12) –Canelo Alvarez will be looking to bounce back in the best way possible when he faces Alfredo Angulo for the pride and glory of Mexico on Saturday, March 8.

BoxNation has added the star-studded Golden Boy Promotions bill to its packed roster, which also includes three world title showdowns featuring Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz taking on Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares for the WBC Super Bantamweight title, newly installed WBC lightweight champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa facing the tricky Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez and Carlos “King” Molina will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight title against undefeated fast-rising star Jermall Charlo.

The spotlight will be on light-middleweight star Canelo, however, who makes his first return to the ring since his loss to pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather last September.

The former light-middleweight unified world champion has refused to choose an easy comeback assignment instead facing another darling of the Mexican public in the ferocious Angulo at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

“Obviously, it’s very hard and it hurt my honour. It’s very tough. Nobody ever wants to lose,” said Canelo, when discussing his defeat against Mayweather. “Nobody ever wants to be on the losing side of a fight, but I don’t see it as a loss. I see it as a learning experience, and I’m just going to take the best out of it.

“I’m mentally strong. I’ve always been mentally strong and more than anything I think that that’s a fight that’s going to help me and it’s just going to make me better,” he added.

The 23-year-old knows he will be in a bout that will present some equally difficult challenges when he faces Angulo and is certain it will be a fan favourite affair.

“Without a doubt this is going to be a tough fight – without a doubt. Yes, you’re right, some of the things that Alfredo possesses, size, weight, power, yes, that’s correct, but I also have power and it’s going to be a tough fight,” he said.

“But it’s also going to be a very attractive fight, and that’s what the fans want. I think the fans deserve these kinds of fights. The fans don’t want to see a fight where one guy is just running the whole night. They want to see these kinds of battles,” Canelo stated.

Though Angulo is seen as the underdog in the fight, he is eager to seize a chance he has been waiting for his whole life.

“I think this is the right time. I think this is the perfect time. I think it’s good for me. He decided to give me the opportunity now in 2014 and it’s a great gift for my career at this time, for 2014,” Angulo said.

“I have a very good game plan with my trainer, Virgil Hunter. We’ve already started camp, we’ve been working hard and I feel that a lot of people are going to be very surprised, they’re going to be very, very surprised come fight time of what I’m capable of and what Virgil’s game plan has been,” he said.

Further good news for BoxNation subscribers is that the channel will also be brining WBC and WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia’s defense against Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera live and exclusive a week later on March 15.

Garcia, who has propelled himself to the top of the 140-pound division with victories over Amir Khan, Zab Judah and Lucas Matthysse, will take on Herrera in Puerto Rico, the birthplace of his parents.

“I am a Puerto Rican. I could have been born on the moon, but I’m still Puerto Rican,” he said. “It means a lot to me [to be fighting in Puerto Rico]. Everybody in the stands is going to be Puerto Rican. I’ve never had that before,” Garcia said.

“Even though I’m from Philly, that’s not my heritage. It’s important for me to reach out to my fans because I think Puerto Rican boxing needs this right now.

“I think that Puerto Rico is going to accept me as its own after I win on March 15. Philadelphia might be my birthplace, but Puerto Rico is my blood,” he said.

Herrera is no easy foe for the 25-year-old Garcia, though, having been only one of two men to beat the formidable WBO light-welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov.

“I know this is a huge opportunity, and I’m going to take full advantage of it,” said Herrera.

“To have a shot at Danny’s belts has been a dream of mine for a long time. Danny Garcia is an intelligent and tough fighter, but so am I. I’m coming to Puerto Rico and I know there is a lot of pressure, but hopefully they will support me too,” he said.

The undercard is also stacked with top quality bouts with big-hitting Deontay Wilder facing the experienced Malik Scott and Juan Manuel Lopez back in action against featherweight star Daniel Ponce de Leon.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo & Danny Garcia vs Mauricio Herrera is live on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546) next month. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-
“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. This event 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).
Garcia vs. Herrera, a 12-round WBC Super Lightweight World Title on Saturday, March 15, ispresented by Golden Boy Promotions, Swift Promotions in association with PR Best Boxing and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event, Deontay Wilder vs. Malik Scott, is a 12-round WBC Final Heavyweight eliminator bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. In the main event on the SHOWTIME EXTREME portion of the card, Juan Manuel Lopez and Daniel Ponce de Leon square off in a 10-round rematch for the WBO International Junior Lightweight Title.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 12, 2014) – Fighters are known for their ruthlessness and toughness in the ring, but the participants in “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” aren’t afraid to let their softer sides show.

With just less than a month until the SHOWTIME PPV®, which will take place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., Canelo Alvarez, Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo, Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz, Cristian “Diamante” Mijares, Omar “Panterita” Figueroa, Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez, Carlos Molina and Jermall Charlo shared their thoughts on perfect Valentine’s Day dates, memories and more.

VALENTINE’S DAY Q&A

Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Valentine’s Day?

Canelo Alvarez: I think of joy.

Alfredo Angulo: I just think about training.

Leo Santa Cruz: Love, friendship and family.

Cristian Mijares: I think of the love I have with my wife and children.

Omar Figueroa: The colors red and pink.

Ricardo Alvarez: Love.

Carlos Molina: Relationships.

Jermall Charlo: Hearts, flowers, mushy feelings and growing up.

Q: What is the best Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever given or received?

Canelo Alvarez: The best gift I received is love.

Alfredo Angulo: My favorite cologne that I can’t find anywhere anymore.

Leo Santa Cruz: The best Valentine’s gift I ever gave was a pink heart ring.

Cristian Mijares: Only my wife could tell you what the best gift that I’ve given her is. The best gift I’ve received is the love of my family.

Omar Figueroa: Thejewelry I’ve given to my mom or my sister. The best gift I have ever been given is the birth of my daughter. She is the best Valentine’s Day gift from now until the day I die.

Ricardo Alvarez: My best gift was a big teddy bear and a romantic dinner.

Carlos Molina: A picture my girl gave me of us back in the day.

Jermall Charlo: I have never received a Valentine’s Day gift. I have always given. The best gift I ever gave was to my mom – it was a vacation to the Grand Canyon.

Q: What is your favorite romantic movie or love song?

Canelo Alvarez: My favorite romantic movie is “Diario de una Pasion” (“The Notebook”).

Alfredo Angulo: My favorite romantic movie is “Titanic.”

Leo Santa Cruz: My favorite romantic movie is “The Notebook.”

Cristian Mijares: I really like the song “She’s The One” by Robbie Williams. As for romantic movies I like “City of Angels.”

Omar Figueroa: I don’t really watch those types of movies, but I liked the last one that I saw. It was “P.S. I Love You.”

Ricardo Alvarez: “Diario de una Pasion” (“The Notebook”)

Carlos Molina: “Forrest Gump.”

Jermall Charlo: “Pretty Woman.”

Q: Even though you’re in training camp this Valentine’s Day, will you be sending anything to anyone?

Canelo Alvarez: I don’t look at Valentine’s Day as the only day I make that person feel special.

Alfredo Angulo: No I will not.

Leo Santa Cruz: I will be sending a very special gift to my love this Valentine’s Day even though I’m in training camp.

Cristian Mijares: No, my mind is on my next fight so I haven’t even thought about it.

Omar Figueroa: Yes I’m going to send an Edible Arrangement to my one-year and four-month-old daughter.

Ricardo Alvarez: Yes, I will send a bouquet of roses to my wife.

Carlos Molina: Well, I will be going out for a light dinner in Chicago.

Jermall Charlo: Yes, I will be sending a Valentine’s Day gift to someone special in my life.

Q: Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day date.

Canelo Alvarez: If I’m with the person I love, any place is perfect.

Alfredo Angulo: A romantic dinner.

Leo Santa Cruz: My perfect Valentine’s Day date is a romantic dinner followed by a bonfire on the beach.

Cristian Mijares: A perfect day would be one where I’m surrounded by my family.

Omar Figueroa: The perfect Valentine’s Day would be to spend time with the women in my life that I love the most: my mom, my sister and my daughter. I would take them out to dinner and pamper them.

Ricardo Alvarez: My perfect date is in a restaurant with a romantic dinner.

Carlos Molina: Dinner and drinks on a warm day.

Jermall Charlo: A comedy show and relaxing.

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,”a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event 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).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

San Diego (Feb. 11, 2014) – Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez and his vicious, hard-hitting foe, Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo have been busy at their training camps in San Diego and Oakland, Calif., respectively as they ready themselves for their upcoming showdown on Saturday, March 8 live on SHOWTIME PPV® from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

CANELO ALVAREZ, Former World Champion

“This fight ahead is a hard one. There will be a lot of punches thrown. Two different styles will clash in the ring and there will be a lot of action. It will be a war that we’re all going to enjoy.

“Angulo is a strong fighter. He is a fighter who hits hard and can last a long time in the ring. He is a fighter that always makes his fights tough and you have to work hard to beat him. That’s what will happen on March 8 and that’s what we’ll hope to see.

“We decided to train in San Diego because it is a beautiful city with great climate all year round. The weather was a deciding factor.

[On coming off of a loss against Floyd Mayweather] “I consider myself a person with a strong mindset and that’s how I moved on from the loss against Mayweather. I always train to win, like everybody else and unfortunately last September was not the case.

“I’m training to make history and to be one of the best in boxing history. One defeat is not everything. The biggest boxers in history have been defeated. For instance, Muhammad Ali was defeated and he came back and made history. So, here I am, making history, moving forward. I fight to make boxing history. That is why I fight.”

ALFREDO ANGULO, Former WBO Interim Junior Middleweight World Champion

“Camp is going great. I have never felt better in the gym.

“My hands have definitely been doing the talking. My sparring partners will tell you that.

“My team is working so hard as we do every camp.

“If [my trainer] Virgil [Hunter] is happy, then I am happy because I know that I am physically on point.

“My advice to all kids when they talk to me about boxing is that school comes first since it will help you all your life. Boxing is a short career and you have to make the most of it while you can.”

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event 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).

Fathom Events, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions present “Toe to Toe: Canelo vs. Angulo” in nearly 400 select movie theaters across the U.S. on Saturday, March 8. Tickets and more information are available at FathomEvents.com

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @ElPERRO82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @MGMGrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Centennial, Colo. – February 6, 2014 – Boxing fans across the nation will have a ringside seat when Fathom Events, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions bring the highly-anticipated 12-round bout between boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez and the relentless Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo on Saturday, March 8 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. AK / 4:00 p.m. HI. “Toe to Toe: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast live to select theaters nationwideforan action-packed fight from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas that assures redemption for just one of these elite fighters. The fight card also features Two-Division World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KO’s) against Former World Champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KO’s), WBC Lightweight World Champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (24-0-1, 17 KO’s) opposite Canelo’s older brother, Lightweight Contender Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KO’s), as well as IBF Middleweight World Champion “King” Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KO’s)against undefeated Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KO’s).

Tickets for “Toe to Toe: Canelo vs. Angulo” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). The event will be broadcast to nearly 400 select movie theaters across the country through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network.

“March 8 will be a huge night for boxing, and as we team up with Fathom Events once again, fight fans in movie theaters around the United States will be able to experience the entire Canelo vs. Angulo event like they never have before,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.

“This will be my second fight that will be played in movie theaters and I am thrilled,” said Canelo Alvarez. “The fans know that I always look to leave them satisfied with my performance in the ring and that’s why I invite all of them to be part of a great experience by watching my fight against ‘El Perro’ Angulo on the big screen. I promise endless action from the first bell because when Mexican fighters get in the ring, fans are guaranteed a tremendous fight.”

“My fans know that my hands speak louder than my words,” said Alfredo Angulo. “For those who don’t know me, this cinematic experience with Canelo on March 8 will help you see why these hands always guarantee a great show. Please sit back, enjoy and get ready for a great performance.”

Mexican boxing superhero and pride of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Canelo Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KO’s) returns to the ring hungrier than ever after a hard-fought loss to the pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather in September 2013. His bout against Mayweather marked the highest grossing pay-per-view event in history and made him a hero to thousands of boxing fans all around the world. Now, six months later, the 23-year-old is ready to make his highly anticipated ring return and prove to the world that he really does belong amongst the elite fighters of his generation.

Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-3, 18 KO’s) from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico is a fan-favorite in the boxing world. The 31-year-old star embodies the guts and glory of a true Mexican warrior and has every intention of demonstrating this against the younger Canelo. Like Canelo, Angulo is also coming off of a controversial loss after suffering an eye injury during the ninth round of an exciting showdown against top Super Welterweight Erislandy Lara in June 2013. A win against Canelo would cement Angulo’s status as one of boxing’s most dangerous fighters and catapult him to the top of the list of world title contenders.

“Six months ago, movie theaters were packed with boxing fans eager to watch the match-up between the reigning boxing kings of the U.S. and Mexico,” said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of Fathom Events. “We are thrilled to welcome Canelo back to another amazing fight as he and Angulo go ‘toe to toe’ for a night that will surely leave you on the edge of your seat.”

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For artwork/photos related to “Toe to Toe: Canelo vs. Angulo,”click here.

About AC JV, LLC
Fathom Events is owned by a newly formed entity called AC JV, LLC. Fathom is the recognized leader in the alternative entertainment industry, offering a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events in movie theaters nationwide that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, the performing arts, major sporting events, music concerts, comedy series, Broadway shows, original programming featuring entertainment’s biggest stars, socially relevant documentaries with audience Q&A and much more. Additionally, Fathom events take audiences behind-the-scenes and offer unique extras – creating the ultimate entertainment experience for fans of all ages. Co-owned by the three largest movie theater circuits in the United States, AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), Fathom’s live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live events to more than 750 locations in 171 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

Kelly Swanson
Thank you, for joining us this morning and this afternoon here on the east coast, very snowy east coast, but we are so excited to be able to announce a fantastic SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View card coming up. On the line joining us today is Canelo Alvarez, former Super Welterweight World Champion and Alfredo Angulo, former WBO Interim Junior Middleweight World Champion.

To make the formal introductions and to get the call going I’d like to introduce Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions.

Richard Schaefer
Thank you, Kelly, and hello to everyone back east and here, I guess, on the west as well, and I saw that there were a number of people from Texas calling in as well to this great conference call for this fantastic card. A couple of months ago when I was at home I couldn’t sleep and I found myself zapping and I’d stop on this infomercial channel, and it was amazing. You’re ready to order it and then, “But wait, there is more,” and there seems more and more coming, so I thought, wouldn’t it be great to have a boxing card where people are just going to say I can’t believe that there’s more and more, and then there’s another one, then there’s another one, and that’s exactly what we did here.

With this card, “TOE TO TOE,” interesting toe-to-toe in Spanish, in Mexico they don’t call it toe-to-toe, they call it “MANO A MANO,” or hand to hand, whether it’s toe-to-toe or hand-to-hand one thing I can say, it’s going to be all action. On March the 8, we have put together one of the most action packed cards I can remember here at Golden Boy. Of course the main event, Canelo and Alfredo, we’re going to talk about in a few minutes and you’re going to have the chance to ask both fighters questions, but the whole card really is totally loaded with the free view opening up for everyone with a TV set at home Jorge Linares vs. Nihito Arakawa, a 10-round lightweight bout, and then we’re going to move into the Pay-Per-View which is going to be distributed by SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific, with the first of three world title fights.

It’s going to be Carlos Molina against a young Jermall Charlo fighting for Molina’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship. From there we are going to be moving into the 12-round WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship, which is going to be a contest between Champion Omar Figueroa, and challenger Ricardo Alvarez, who is the brother of Canelo and is getting his world title fight opportunity here. It would be historic in Mexico since it would be the first time that one family, the Alvarez family, has produced three world champions. As you know, Canelo’s other brother, Rigoberto, was the 154-pound champion, and then of course Canelo as the World Champion, and now Ricardo is going to try to accomplish his dream to become the WBC Lightweight World Champion.

From there we’re going to go into the co-main event with one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, irrespective of weight class, Leo Santa Cruz vs. Cristian Mijares, a 12-round WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship. Mijares, well known former World Champion, is going to be an exciting showdown, all action packed there.

But wait, there is more, there’s the one we’ve been waiting for and that of course is Canelo vs. Angulo. Both guys really don’t need much introduction. These are two all action fighters coming forward. They love to trade and slug it out in the middle of the ring, and I think March 8th for those fight fans and sports fans and the general public, which likes to be entertained, this is what they’re going to watch this is what they want to watch.

The fight will be broadcasted live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Tickets went on sale last Friday. They’re priced very attractively, starting at $25, $50, $100, $200, $400 and $600. As of yesterday close to 6,000 tickets have been sold already, so I do anticipate a sellout on March the 8 at the MGM. The fight is sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Molina and Jermall Charlo is presented as well in association with Warriors Boxing.

Now, let’s go to the fighters. First up is Alfredo. I’m going to introduce him, he’s going to make some opening comments and then I’m going to be introducing Canelo. He’s going to make some opening comments and then we’re going to open up the lines for you guys to ask questions.

Alfredo Angulo from Mexicali, Baja California, certainly one of the most entertaining fighters with devastating punching power, he always comes to fight. His 2011 battle with James Kirkland is legendary and was a candidate for Fight of the Year. In 2012, he came back and garnered wins over Raul Casarez and Jorge Silva and in 2013 he appeared on his way to get his first world championship when he knocked down Erislandy Lara twice for the Interim WBA Junior Middleweight fight, and then obviously the fight had to be stopped due to an eye injury which Alfredo suffered. Here he is, it’s a fight he wanted for a long time. He has asked me repeatedly “I’d like to fight Canelo” and I’m happy that we were able to make his dream come true, that he has an opportunity to fight on March the 8 against Canelo Alvarez.

Before I turn it over to Alfredo, now I want to inform all of you as well that Alfredo Angulo will, right before the press conference starts here in Los Angeles, at 12:40 he has made himself available for the Locks of Love, meaning he’s going to get his hair cut for a charitable cause, Locks of Love, and I very much want to support Alfredo and thank him for that and thank him for bringing attention to this very worthwhile cause.

It’s a pleasure for me now to introduce to you Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo.

Alfredo Angulo
I’m very happy for this opportunity, for this fight. I want to especially thank Richard Schaefer for helping me get this fight. I want to thank all the media that’s present and on this call, and thank you for supporting this fight.

Schaefer
All right, we’re going to have a chance to ask Alfredo questions in just a moment, but first, I want to introduce to you now one of the true superstars of the sport. He has a record of 42-1-1, with 30 KO’s, comes out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He’s the former Super Welterweight World Champion, has been a pro since 2005, when he was just 15-years-old, and is without any question today Mexico’s biggest boxing superstar. He’s 23 years young. He has earned the respect of the Mexican people because of the way he fights, the excitement he brings to the ring, and he has of course a huge female following as well because of his looks and his charisma and the way he carries himself outside of the ring as well.

Last year was an important year for Canelo, first, of course when he fought Austin Trout in front of nearly 40,000 fans in San Antonio and if not for the capacity, we would have been able to add more seats we would have had 60,000, 70,000 people there at the Alamodome when he defeated Austin Trout. Then, came the big fight against Floyd Mayweather, which broke all revenue records, and certainly Canelo had a lot to do with that as well, given his growing popularity as a big Mexican star.

That September date against Mayweather I think served Canelo, as it will be a lesson for him and I’m sure he’s walking away from this fight having learned a lot and that’s what it is, you know, when you’re a young fighter you challenge yourself against the best and you learn from that, and I’m sure that is exactly what Canelo is taking away from the September showdown against Mayweather. He could have gone against an easy opponent, go back to Texas or do it from Mexico and so on, but, no, he wanted to challenge himself against one of the best at 154, and with Alfredo Angulo he’s getting exactly that.

It is a pleasure now for me to introduce to you Saul “El Canelo” Alvarez.

Canelo Alvarez
I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve had throughout my career, and I’m very happy to be returning into the ring for this fight. Thank you.

Schaefer
Excellent, thank you. Gracias, Canelo. And now we have questions from the media. Operator, if you could please open up the lines.

Q
What was your decision making process to select Angulo as your opponent as opposed to the other guys that we had heard were possible, such as Carlos Molina, who holds a world title, Lara, who holds an interim title and also has a TKO victory against Angulo? How did you go about deciding that Angulo was the guy for you?

Canelo
Basically, the reason why we chose him is because we made a decision that he was the best style for me. He’s a very strong fighter. He comes forward. He makes good fights, and I feel that this was the best fight for the fight fans style-wise.

Q
Now that this fight is on Pay-Per-View, so they’re asking the consumers to spend about $50, $60 to buy the card, it’s a good card, but my question is, do you feel like coming off of the loss to Floyd, which by most estimations was extremely one-sided in Floyd’s favor, do you feel as though your fans, particularly the Mexican-American fans, will support you on Pay-Per-View by buying this fight?

Canelo
I’m sure they will. I’m sure they will. I have loyal fans. I have loyal fans and I’m very grateful for that and they’re always going to be with me and I feel that they’re going to support me through thick and thin and they’re going to follow me in this Pay-Per-View.

Q
This was a fight that you have wanted for a long time, I guess Richard said you’ve been asking him to try to get this fight. Other than, I suppose the financial rewards that come along with an opportunity against Canelo, what were the particular reasons that you wanted this fight so much as opposed to maybe fighting for one of the world titles or some other opponent in your weight class?

Angulo
Well, obviously, I mean, Saul’s a good fighter, he’s a good fighter and it’s a fight that I wanted and I think that on March 8 everybody’s going to find out who’s going to remain as the top guy in Mexico, representing Mexico, the number one fighter at this weight class.

Q
Alfredo were you bothered by the fact that you weren’t Canelo’s first choice?

Angulo
No, it doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t really bother me. I mean, my job is to get up and fight, be ready to fight and fight. It’s my promoter who decides who I fight against, so that doesn’t bother me. I’m ready to fight.

Q
Everybody understands that your style is to come forward, what makes you believe that you can win a fight against a great defensive fighter like Canelo fighting this style, or are you going to have to somehow adjust the way you fight in order to beat Canelo?

Angulo
I have a very good game plan with my trainer, Virgil Hunter. We’ve already started camp, we’ve been working hard and I feel that a lot of people are going to be very surprised, they’re going to be very, very surprised come fight time of what I’m capable of and what Virgil’s game plan has been.

Q
Why is it so important for you to fight your first fight back in Las Vegas in the same ring where you lost in September? Is there any connection to that, or did it just happen to be the best place to hold this fight?

Canelo
No, it’s very simple, it’s the best place. It was the best venue to do a fight and there’s no connection. I’ve fought there many times and I’ve won as well, so there’s no connection to that. It was just basically the best place.

Q
Canelo, how tough was it, if at all, to get over your first defeat?

Canelo
Obviously, it’s very hard, it’s very hard, and it hurt my honor. It’s very tough. Nobody ever wants to lose. Nobody ever wants to be on the losing side of a fight, but I don’t see it as a loss. I see it as a learning experience, and I’m just going to take the best out of it.

Q
Do you think that if Alfredo Angulo goes in there with his same style and doesn’t try and improve upon his defense by at least moving his head a little bit, that Alfredo is going to be out of this fight early?

Canelo
No, no, no, no. I don’t think that at all. I think it’s going to be a hard fight. It’s going to be a very, very tough fight, a hard fight. He’s a strong fighter. He’s a very, very strong fighter and I’m going to have to prepare very well for this fight. He’s going to have to do what’s convenient for him to win and I’m going to have to do what’s convenient for me to win. So I’m not taking this lightly at all, and I’m going to have to prepare well.

Q
Alfredo you say that Canelo knows that in both size and in weight and in power that you’re a real 154 pounder and that you believe that he is the first one in this weight class with that combination of experiences. Can you assess that statement?

Angulo
Well, it’s going to be an interesting fight because, look, everybody knows my style, everybody knows how I fight, my pro record proves that, you can see my fights, and I’m always in very, very good fights. I always give great fights. I always give 100% of me. So it’s going to be a very interesting fight because he’s trying to come back from his first loss, and I just feel that it’s the right time for this fight.

Q
Canelo, what is your assessment of this fight and your opponent?

Canelo
Without a doubt this is going to be a tough fight, without a doubt. Yes, you’re right, some of the things that Alfredo possesses, size, weight, power, yes, that’s correct, but I also have power and it’s going to be a tough fight. It’s going to be a tough fight. But it’s also going to be a very attractive fight, and that’s what the fans want. I think the fans deserve these kinds of fights. The fans don’t want to see a fight where one guy is just running the whole night. They want to see these kinds of battles.

Q
Can you assess what you saw out of Angulo in his last fight, knocking Lara down twice, bringing the action to him, and is that what sold you on choosing Angulo as your next opponent, as an appealing opponent to the fans?

Canelo
I haven’t really studied the fight. I haven’t really watched it. I watched it that night because I was also getting ready for a fight, and that’s what I do, we watch boxing, so I saw the fight that night, but I haven’t really analyzed it or studied it at all, but throughout camp I will.

Q
Saul, how do you have to adapt for fighting an Angulo? Obviously it’s a very different style than what you prepared for fighting Floyd, so how do you have to adapt?

Canelo
Yes, you’re correct, it’s a totally different style. It’s a very, very different style. So the whole camp has to be different, the sparring partners have to be different. But it’s a style that’s going to be attractive and it’s going to make for a good fight.

Q
Saul, how have you coped with the first loss, how are you doing? Did you have to get psychological help? Did you have somebody, a coach, maybe a mental coach help you out? How have you been coping with the loss?

Canelo
No, not at all. I didn’t have to get any of that, thank God. I’m mentally strong. I’ve always been mentally strong and more than anything I think that that’s a fight that’s going to help me, it’s going to help me and it’s just going to make me better.

Q
Alfredo, do you think this is perfect timing for this fight, or do you think that maybe this is a fight that should have happened maybe five years ago?

Angulo
I think this is the right time. I think this is the perfect time. I think it’s good for me. He decided to give me the opportunity now in 2014 and it’s a great gift for my career at this time, for 2014.

Q
Carlos Molina, who’s the IBF Champion, made some comments that you chose to fight against Alfredo Angulo because it’s the easiest fight, it’s the easiest fight and you don’t want to risk getting another loss in your career. Can you respond to that, Saul?

Canelo
No, not at all. The people know, the fans know, and the way they’ve been reacting to this fight, this is the toughest fight, this is the most attractive fight out there, so that comment is uncalled for.

Q
Saul, what are your thoughts on Carlos Molina? What do you think of him as a fighter? Do you think maybe in the near future there can be a fight with him?

Canelo
Of course, that’s someone in my future, that’s someone that I would see. You need rivals, and that’s someone that I can possibly face in the future, of course.

Q
The question is for both fighters, what memories do you have of Jose Sulaiman now that he’s passed? Alfredo?

Angulo
Yes, the best memory I have of Mr. Sulaiman was a talk that we had, it was a very lengthy conversation in Guadalajara that we had together and it must have been back in 2008 or 2009.

Canelo
I was fortunate enough to have many talks with him, met with him many times, great times, and I just feel that it was tragic and may he rest in peace.

Q
Canelo, now that you’ve been alone, you’ve had some time to think about it, about the fight with Mayweather, what have you thought about, training camp, and what do you think about that fight?

Canelo
I learned a lot from that fight. I learned a lot from the Mayweather fight. He’s got a style that’s very complicated. He’s got a style that’s very intelligent and he fights intelligently. I think that his whole purpose is just to win, but I learned a lot. I learned a lot about the fight itself inside the ring and outside the ring as well.

Q
Obviously when you’re talking about styles Alfredo Angulo as an opponent has a great style, and it’s a very attractive style. Was that very important to you?

Canelo
Of course that was very important. What the fans want to see is attractive fights, very good fights, and that was a big reason for doing this fight.

Q
Alfredo, you’ve been through a lot in your life, inside the ring and outside the ring, obviously, is this probably the biggest fight of your career, the most important fight of your career?

Angulo
When you’re born you’re born fighting. Everybody’s born fighting and they’re fighting for a better life, for a better future. So, yes, this is the most important fight of my career. It’s very, very important to me. Not only that, it’s also going to be a very attractive fight for the fans. On March 8, I’m sure that Saul is going to do his part to make this a special fight, an attractive fight, because when you put two Mexicans in the ring we know how to give good fights, and that’s what we’re going to give the fans, a good fight.

Q
Alfredo, this is obviously going to be a tough fight, this and that, but do you think that if you land the right combination you can possibly knock Saul out?

Angulo
Realistically, I don’t see myself as a knockout puncher. I’m a fighter that likes to work and I break down my opponents. A knockout puncher is the type of fighter that he’ll throw a punch and he’ll knock the guy out, he’ll knock him out and they won’t get up and they’re knocked out. My style is more of a hard working fighter. I put my punches together and I break down the opponents.

Q
Canelo, how did the fight with Mayweather change you as a fighter, and what did you learn from that fight specifically that you could use against Alfredo Angulo, who obviously has a very different style from Mayweather?

Canelo
I learned a lot. I learned a lot from that fight. Whenever you suffer a defeat you never want to feel that again, you never want to go through that again, so that’s something that’s very, very important to me. Another thing is that it motivated me a lot; it motivated me to move forward. I’ve learned a lot.

Q
Will you change your style at all in this fight? Again, obviously Alfredo has a very different style than Mayweather, but will you make improvements and add things to what you do?

Canelo
Every camp is different, and I prepare differently for every fight, depending on who I’m fighting. So we’re going to put together a good game plan for Alfredo Angulo and I’m going to prepare for him.

Q
Alfredo, could you tell us why do you think you have the advantage, obviously you’re older, but what do you think is your advantage that could get you to win this fight?

Angulo
I think that the advantages come from the preparation, and I’m preparing excellently for this fight. I’ve already started my preparation and it’s going very, very well. I think you’re going to have to wait and see March 8th how I come out.

Schaefer
I want to thank both fighters for making themselves available and I also want to thank you all, members of the media. I can’t wait for “TOE to TOE”, “MANO A MANO”, which will be an infomercial for the sport of boxing, a great card. Our media team will have any of the other fighters available as well. If you want to talk to them over the coming days please reach out to Marylyn Aceves or to Ramiro Gonzalez. Again, March 8th I’ll see you all at the MGM Grand for “TOE to TOE”. Thank you very much.

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event 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).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 21, 2014) – Hundreds of fans turned out on a Tuesday afternoon to witness up close and personal Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez, fan favorite Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and four other world-class action fighters for a jam-packed press conference hosted by Golden Boy Promotions to formally announce “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a fantastic four-fight telecast on Saturday, March 8, on SHOWTIME PPV® from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Joining the popular main event fighters at the Los Angeles Central Public Library Outdoor Plaza undefeated Two-Division World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz, former Three-Time World Champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares and Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez, a brother of Canelo Alvarez,

In what will be a slugfest in the March 8 main event, Canelo (42-1-1, 30 KO’s), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, will make his return to the ring to face the fearless Angulo (22-3, 18 KO’s), of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. In three 12-round world title fights on an all-action pay-per-view undercard, unbeatenWBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Santa Cruz (26-0-1, 15 KO’s), of Los Angeles by way of Huetamo, Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico, will defend his title against Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KO’s), of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico; unbeaten Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KO’s), of McAllen, Texas, will risk his WBC Interim Lightweight Title against Ricardo Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KO’s), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and Chicago’s “King” Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KO’s) will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KO’s), of Houston.

Tickets are on sale and priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Before fighter introductions and a press conference that was streamed live on the SHOWTIME Sports website officially began, a nervous Angulo had several inches of his shoulder-length hair cut. It will be donated to Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, who emceed the proceedings, and Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager, SHOWTIME Sports, were the first to speak at the podium, followed by the fighters.

Schaefer mentioned that “almost 6,000” seats had already been sold for the event and that he expected “a full house.” Espinoza announced that ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Angulo would premiere on Friday, Feb. 29, on SHOWTIME with Episode 2 on Wednesday, March 5.

In the top bout preceding the pay-per-view telecast, former two-time World Champion Jorge “Niño de Oro” Linares (35-3, 23 KO’s) will face Nihito Arakawa (24-3-1, 16 KO’s) in a 10-round lightweight match.

See below for quotes from the boxers and executives:

CANELO ALVAREZ, Former Super Welterweight World Champion
“Alfredo Angulo is a very strong fighter, and he knows how to come forward. He knows how to throw a punch and take a punch and he comes to fight.

“I’m sure you want to see a fight and you don’t want to see a guy who is going to be running all night.
“I’ve prepared myself very well to give you all a great fight. I’m glad Alfredo has some fans here today, but my fans are better.

“I can’t tell you all the things I learned from my last fight [against Floyd Mayweather on a record-shattering pay-per-view event last September], but there is a long list. I don’t take it as a loss. I take it as a learning experience. And that is what’s going to keep me going. That’s the greatest thing about this sport. You learn and you move on.

“We have two different styles and you really can’t compare the two. Angulo’s aggressive. I’ve fought bigger guys but I see him as a middleweight coming down to super welterweight.

“We offered this fight to [Miguel] Cotto first, but he wasn’t ready. We wanted to give you guys, the media, and the fans this fight. This is for the fans.

“Losing is part of boxing. Muhammad Ali lost and he’s still the greatest of all time. So a loss isn’t going to prevent me from being the future of boxing.”

ALFREDO ANGULO, Former WBO Interim Junior Middleweight World Champion
“I’m the same Alfredo Angulo as I’ve always been and I’m going to always give the fans great fights. I think that I earn respect in my fights and March 8 is going to be no different.

“I don’t know if he’s the most powerful fighter I’ve faced, but I know I have to give my all in this fight for my fans. This fight is for the fans.

“What’s this fight going to mean if I win? I don’t know. Once I win, then you can ask that.

“He [Canelo] knows the heart that I have. He’s knows it very well; that the advantage I have over him.
“I know I have some doubters. But if you doubt me, go ahead and look up my fights on YouTube.”

CHEPO REYNOSO, Canelo’s Trainer
“Like always, we respect Mexican fighters, especially Alfredo Angulo. He’s a tough fighter, a very good fighter and very strong. Thank you for coming out and supporting boxing because there are some great Mexican fighters on this card.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Angulo’s Trainer
“Each man has to come to grips that they are coming off a loss. Alfredo came so close to upsetting [Erislandy] Lara and I’m just pleased he’s getting this fight. I couldn’t be happier for him.

“You can’t say that Alfredo doesn’t deserve this fight because Angulo was up on most of the scorecards in his last fight and Canelo was shut out on his. I think this is as good a time as any and that this fight makes sense. Alfredo has come to understand the importance of defense. Initially he had a disdain for defense but I’ve been teaching him the importance of that aspect of the game.

“Whoever wins this fight is going to have to fight to win it. I’ve called this a must-win fight for Canelo to stay relevant and I think he definitely has something to prove.”

LEO SANTA CRUZ, Two-Division World Champion
“I’m very happy and I’m very prepared for this fight. Mijares is a great fighter.

“When I was in the beginning of my career, I used to see him fight. I once sparred against Jose Navarro to help him fight against Mijares. I watched that fight and I know that he’s a great fighter that will give me a tough fight.

“We come 100 percent ready and we’re trying to the fans a great fight. Hopefully, it’s one of the best fights of the night.”

CRISTIAN MIJARES, Former World Champion
“I’m very happy to be on such a big card like this, in the co-main event of the big fight between Canelo and Angulo.

“I’m motivated because I’m coming back. I know it’s going to be a very good fight against Leo Santa Cruz because he’s a very good fighter.

“I’m motivated. I’m coming here to win, I’m coming here to be a world champion. I’m not going to give away anything. I’m expecting to win. It’s going to be a war. That’s all I’ve got to say.”

RICARDO ALVAREZ, Top Lightweight Contender
“I know this is a big opportunity for me. I understand this opportunity that my promoter has given me. Figueroa is very aggressive and styles make fights so I know it’s going to be a great fight.

“I’m motivated. I know I can make history for me and my family [if triumphant, it will mark the first time three Mexican-born brothers have won a world title]. We made history once before in Mexico when all six of my brothers and I fought on the same card. I want to make history again.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Golden Boy Promotions CEO
“This fight is like an infomercial. You remember when you were ready to order and they’re like: ‘Wait, there’s more.’ That’s what this card is; one great fight after the other. Action-packed.

“This is the kind of card you want to make sure to have the carne asada and the cerveza ready when the first fights go live on SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View at 6 o’clock.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President, General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports
“This is a boxing card that has everything for the true fight fan. Canelo Alvarez is taking on the most dangerous opponent of his career in Alfredo Angulo, who is perhaps the strongest puncher and fighter that Canelo has yet face and I have no doubt this fight will be an action fight for as long as it lasts.”

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,”a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event 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).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Video streaming by Ustream

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 17, 2014) – Former World Champion and Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez returns to the ring on Saturday, March 8 to face the fierce and rugged Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo in the headline attraction of a stacked four-fight event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, presented live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, the pay-per-view card offers matchups that promise to be exciting, all-action bouts. The most anticipated match of the night features Canelo, as he looks to reassert himself as the best young fighter of this era. Rounding out the card are two outstanding 12-round fights: Two-Division World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KO’s) will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against former Two-Time World Champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KO’s); exciting young star Omar “Panterita’’ Figueroa (24-0-1, 17 KO’s) will risk his WBC Interim Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KO’s) and former Two-Time World Champion Jorge “Niño de Oro” Linares (35-3, 23 KO’s) will face Nihito Arakawa (24-3-1, 16 KO’s) in a lightweight clash.

Tickets are on sale and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

March 8 is a hallowed date in boxing history as in 1971; “Smokin” Joe Frazier first met Muhammad Ali in the ring to begin their epic series. Now, eight fighters, including two of the most exciting Mexican stars of today, will attempt to do their part to add to its lore.

“This is a great fight for me and for the fans and I can’t wait to get back in the ring on March 8,” said Canelo, who will be making his first ring appearance since his mega-fight with pound-for-pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather last September. “Angulo is a true warrior and I have to be alert every second of every round when I fight him. I expect that we will put on a fight no one will ever forget.”

“Canelo is a great young fighter who has earned his way to the top,” said Angulo. “That being said, I know I’m hungrier than he is right now and I will take him to places he’s never been. Our fans in Mexico and around the world will see what we’re all about when we fight.”

“When we presented opponents to Canelo for his return fight, he immediately took the man who he expected would give him the toughest challenge in the ring and who also would help him give the fans the most exciting fight possible,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Alfredo Angulo fits the bill on all counts and this will not only be a stern test for Canelo, but I know fight fans are going to see all action from start to finish. I can say that about all the fights on the card, and in keeping with Golden Boy Promotions’ promise to fans, we’re making sure to deliver the most competitive and compelling matchups that we can.”

“We are very excited to welcome back Canelo Alvarez to MGM Grand for what’s sure to be a fierce battle with Alfredo Angulo,” said Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Resorts International. “These two fighters are sure to bring their best performances to the MGM Grand Garden Arena for a thrilling evening of epic boxing.”

“This is the type of stacked, all-action fight card that SHOWTIME has become known for,” said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “We are proud to present this excellent main event and compelling co-features on our preeminent platform, SHOWTIME PPV. Last year, this network emerged as the premiere destination for boxing’s biggest events and most competitive fights. The men and the matchups on this fight card embody our commitment to deliver the best the sport has to offer.”

A superstar in his native Mexico who has gone international with his appeal over the last two years, Canelo Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KO’s) is a former super welterweight world champion whose talent, fighting style and charisma is likely to keep him on top for years to come. Only 23 years of age, the Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico native turned pro in 2005 and he hasn’t looked back since he defeated the likes of Jose Miguel Cotto, Carlos Baldomir, Lovemore Ndou, Matthew Hatton, Ryan Rhodes, Alfonso Gomez, Kermit Cintron and Sugar Shane Mosley. In 2013, Canelo packed nearly 40,000 fans into the Alamodome in San Antonio for a win over Austin Trout to unify 154-pound titles. Canelo’s last fight, the main event bout vs. Mayweather, shattered pay-per-view revenue records, largely due to the growing popularity of the bright Mexican star. On March 8, Canelo is back.

A vicious puncher with a crowd-pleasing and aggressive style, Mexicali Baja California, Mexico native Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-3, 18 KO’s) produces exciting fights every time he steps through the ropes, as evidenced by knockouts of Gabriel Rosado, Joel Julio and Joachim Alcine, as well as his classic 2011 showdown with James Kirkland. Owner of 2012 wins over Raul Casarez and Jorge Silva, the 31-year-old appeared to be on his way to his first world championship in June 2013 when he knocked down Erislandy Lara twice in their interim WBA title fight. However, a controversial stoppage due to an eye injury postponed Angulo’s ascension to the top, something he hopes to rectify starting with his bout against Alvarez.

All-action warrior Leo Santa Cruz simply outworks his opponents every time he steps between the ropes, becoming must-see TV in the process. But he will be meeting a former world champion in Cristian Mijares who plans on having an answer for everything the young titlist throws at him.

“I’ve always been a fan of Cristian Mijares, and I know he will give me a tough fight on March 8,” said Santa Cruz. “When two Mexicans get into the ring together, it’s always a show, and this fight will be no different.”

“Santa Cruz is an impressive young fighter and a worthy champion,” said Mijares. “I respect him because he fights like I fight: to get the knockout and give the fans a great fight. They will get their money’s worth on March 8.”
Santa Cruz (26-0-1, 15 KO’s) is widely recognized as one of the highest -olume punchers in the game today. The 25-year-old, two-division world champion fights out of Los Angeles by way of Huetamo, Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico, and will be making the second defense of the WBC 122-pound title he won by knockout last August. In his initial defense, Santa Cruz registered one knockdown en route to a close, hard-fought, decision over a determined and courageous Cesar Seda last Dec. 14. His exciting work rate and significant power have made Santa Cruz a mainstay on SHOWTIME as six of his last seven fights have aired on the premium network. The other came on CBS Television Network in December 2012.
Mijares (48-7-2, 22 KO’s), 32, of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico, is as game as any active fighter today. His give-and-take southpaw style makes him as vulnerable as he is exciting. He’s is currently 14-1 in his last 15 fights dating to November 2009. A pro since 1997, the former Three-Time World Champion is 8-2 in world title fights and owns a ninth-round TKO over renowned slugger Rafael Marquez. His only defeat since 2009 came on a split 12-round decision to then-WBC champ Victor Terrazas on April 13, 2013.
Seen for years as the future of boxing, Omar Figueroa’s time is now, especially after his epic win over Nihito Arakawa last July. Now returning to fight in Las Vegas for the first time since 2012, “Panterita” will look to turn back the challenge of Ricardo Alvarez, a winner of five straight who emerged on the world scene with his December victory over Rod Salka.
“I can’t wait to get back into the ring on March 8; it’s been too long and I’m ready to defend my title,” said Figueroa. “The fans know what I can do in the ring, and they’re going to see the best version of me yet against Alvarez.”
“World champions are in the Alvarez bloodline, and we’re going to make history when I become the latest champion from our family on March 8,” said Alvarez. “Figueroa is a great young fighter, but I will be the one with his hand raised in victory. ”
The popular and promising 24-year-old Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KO’s), of McAllen, Texas, captured the Interim WBC 135-pound crown with a unanimous decision over Arakawa in brutal brawl last July 27 that was a top nominee for 2013’s Fight of the Year. Figueroa, despite fighting with a cut on his nose from an accidental head butt in the third round, dropped Arakawa in the second and sixth rounds. Figueroa and Arakawa combined to throw more than 2,100 punches in their memorable 36-minute slugfest.
Alvarez (23-2-3, 13 KO’s), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, has triumphed five consecutive times and is 13-1-1 in his last 15 bouts. The older brother of Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez and current WBC Continental Americas 140-pound champion, the 32-year-old “Dinamita” is coming off a 10-round majority decision victory over Rod Salka last Dec. 14.
Former world champion Jorge Linares has fought his way back into title contention with four consecutive victories, including three knockouts, but he will get the fight of his life from Japan’s Nihito Arakawa, whose instant classic with Figueroa last July made him an instant star in the United States and around the world.

“I’ve worked hard to get back to the top of the division, and I can’t let Arakawa slow me down,” said Linares. “He’s a tough, rugged fighter who will be in front of me all night, but I am confident that I will be victorious.”

“The United States fans treated me so well when I fought here against Omar Figueroa, and I’m excited to be back to fight Linares,” said Arakawa. “He is a true warrior and we will put on a memorable fight for sure.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Linares (35-3, 23 KO’s), a Venezuelan now fighting out of Tokyo, Japan, is a former WBC Featherweight and WBA Super Featherweight titleholder. The hard-knocking 11-year professional has won four straight, including a first-round knockout over Francisco Contreras last Nov.10 in Tokyo.
Arakawa (24-3-1, 16 KO’s), of Tokyo, will be fighting for the second time in America. The 32-year-old proved his ability and toughness to the U.S. audience in the aforementioned slugfest versus Figueroa last July. Arakawa’s spirited effort was anchored by his ability to overcome two knockdowns and fight exhaustion as he forced the action until the final bell. The Japanese warrior earned great respect in defeat.
# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. This event 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).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will take on Alfredo Anguko on March 8th in Las Vegas and will be televised via Showtime Pay Per View.

“The fight is done. Signed, sealed and delivered,” said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer. “Both guys are excited and ready to put on a show. These are two Mexican warriors and two of the most exciting fighters in the sport and it will be a toe-to-toe battle. That is what we are calling the card, ‘Toe to Toe.'”

“Canelo is a huge star, so going on pay-per-view was not an issue,” Schaefer said. “You see it when he goes somewhere in Los Angeles or Mexico. He has that charisma where people are drawn to him. I saw that in San Antonio in December when he came to the (Marcos Maidana-Adrien Broner card). The ovation he got was crazy. People embrace him. The fans go nuts, the females love him. You win some and you lose some. He had his first loss against Mayweather, the best fighter in the world, and there is no shame in that.

“But just because you lose to Floyd doesn’t mean you lose. He’s been exposed to so many people because of it, and that increased exposure is a good thing for Canelo and his career.

“His eye is fine. He was cleared about six weeks after the fight with Lara and he didn’t need surgery,” Michael Miller, Angulo’s manager, said. “He’s very excited and he’s looking forward to fighting Canelo. People know they’re going to get a helluva show no matter who wins. Nobody will be a loser that night because it’s going to be a memorable fight I believe.

“Angulo is going to hit Canelo and we’ll see what he can do when he gets by a big puncher.”

If Schaefer get the deal done, junior featherweight titlist Leo Santa Cruz (26-0-1, 15 KOs) would defend his belt in a mandatory defense against former two-time junior bantamweight titleholder and Mexican countryman Cristian Mijares.(49-7-2, 24 KOs), who has won two fights in a row since losing a split decision to Victor Terrazas for a vacant title in April. Santa Cruz then knocked out Terrazas in the third round in his first defense to win the title on Aug. 24.

Schaefer is also hoping to finalize a pair of lightweight bouts. In one fight, interim titlist Omar Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs) would make his first defense against Ricardo Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KOs), Canelo’s older brother.

Figueroa won the vacant interim belt in July by outpointing Nihito Arakawa (24-3-1, 16 KOs) in a savage fight of the year candidate and has not fought since. Neither has Japan’s Arawaka, who would return to face former junior lightweight and featherweight titlist Jorge Linares (35-3, 23 KOs) — a Venezuelan who lives in Japan — in the opener of the pay-per-view.

“When they have these infomercials on TV and you are ready to dial the phone and buy the product, I want this card to be an infomercial for the sport of boxing,” Schaefer said. “You announce the main and people get excited. But you say, ‘But wait, there’s more.’ I don’t have all three of these fights done yet, but I am working to get them done.

“It’s one of those cards where you can be proud of putting it on because you know when people turn on the TV you know they are going to be entertained.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Canelo Alvarez will fight three times on Pay Per View three times and already has dates for 2014.

“I’m very happy. I’m ‘resting’ but I go to the gym regularly and I am always training. I am very happy to be getting back in the ring,” Alvarez said through a translator.

“We locked in three dates with the pay-per-view industry,” said Alvarez promoter Richard Schaeferof Golden Boy Promotions naming March 8, July 26 and Nov. 22 as the dates on which Alvarez will fight. “Canelo said he is excited to fight three times next year. He said he doesn’t want any vacation, just to fight and work hard.”

Said Alvarez, “I came to Golden Boy and told them I want three fights next year. We talked about a lot of different things and we agreed on three dates. I wanted to have the dates set up and start working. I want to have three fights next year and I will work hard preparing for all of them.”

“We have different names in mind,” Schaefer said. “Those are three of them. We are looking at different opponents. I’d anticipate in the next few weeks we will have an opponent locked in. We want to make the biggest possible fights.”

“I have zero doubt that next to Floyd Mayweather, Canelo is the biggest name in the sport from a draw point of view,” Schaefer said. “To see Canelo committing to three fights next year is exciting to me as a promoter and as a boxing fan. He wanted to set his schedule. We know he brings a lot to the table.”

“It bothers me that he won that fight, but my career has a lot of future still. I still want to be one of the best in the world and I need to fight a lot next year,” Alvarez said. “The Mayweather fight is behind me.”

“For me, my career is most important. I have a big career still ahead. I want to leave a legacy. That is more important than the money. First my legacy and then everything else is extra for me.

“Canelo is going to fight three times next year, so if Sergio can’t be ready for March, there are still two other dates for the fight,” Schaefer said.

“We all know how huge a Canelo-Cotto fight would be, Mexico versus Puerto Rico, two great fighters, two popular fighters,” Schaefer said. “That’s the beauty of Miguel being a free agent. He can pick the best deal for himself.”

The dust has started to settle after my appearance on the biggest boxing event the world has seen in a generation.

There was a record 22 million Mexicans tuned into ‘The One’ boxing event featuring Floyd Mayweather, Saul Alvarez, Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthysse, Ishe Smith, Carlos Molina, Pablo Cesar Cano and of course, yours truly. The American PPV audience was over 2 million viewers, and that’s not counting the people watching in movie theatres and on closed circuit in hotels across Las Vegas.

The significant worldwide audience in Europe, Africa, South America, Oceania and Asia is yet to be totalled.
Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather was guaranteed 41.5 million dollars for his performance against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. His pay looks to be near an unbelievable 100 million dollars when all the figures are finally counted up. He has been the highest paid sportsman in the world for the last two years, and unlike any other global sports superstar, none of that is from endorsements.
Floyd Mayweather is a phenomenon.
I opened up this colossal show against two time world title challenger, Pablo Cesar Cano. Three world title fights followed. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions handed me this huge and life changing opportunity. It gets no bigger than the stage I was given.
Fight week was breath taking and nothing short of superstar stature. From the fighter arrivals, to the media workout, autograph signing, press conference, to the 12,000 fans at the weigh in and the 16,000 fans at the fight in the MGM Arena. This was so special and something I will never ever forget.
I also got to spar with Floyd Mayweather in the lead up to his fight. I’ll always be able to say I helped him get his 45th win. It was an honour and a privilege.
From when I walked into the Mayweather Boxing Club in 2011, Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe have always shown me love and respect. All I can say is a deeply felt Thank You. They are two of the greatest guys!
To have a British fighter opening this big a stage, is something that has never been done before. Britain’s three most successful active fighters are Amir Khan, David Haye and Carl Froch, and they have never fought on a stage this big. They are British fighters I have respect for, and in the case of Carl and David, I’m inspired by.
My fight with Pablo was a back and forth, see-saw fight. He hit me with everything he had, and I hit him with my best shots. He buckled my knees and I wobbled him. It was a tough and entertaining fight, and one close enough to have the judges split.
Since the fight, boxing fans have stopped me in Las Vegas, New York and London and told me what a performance I put on and that they believed I won. That is worth hearing. My “granite” chin now has won its own fan club.
The best of UK’s media showed me love in the lead up to the biggest show of my life – The Sun, Daily Mail, The Mirror, Metro, The London Evening Standard, The Daily Star, TalkSport, Zoo, Nuts and Sport magazine all ran articles on me. BoxNation televised my fight, and the British fans were so supportive. I can only say Thank You. It was very much appreciated.
I am due to fight later this year in Las Vegas. I have the backing of Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe. My life shows that with hard work, dedication and perseverance that anything is possible.
Two of the most important men in boxing, believe in my talent. Now believe me – the best is still yet to come.

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 4, 2013) — Canelo Alvarez, former super welterweight world champion and one of the most popular boxers in modern history, confirmed his loyalty and commitment to Golden Boy Promotions, the leading boxing promoter in the world.

“I am very happy with Golden Boy Promotions,” said Canelo today. “I’m scheduled to travel next week to Los Angeles to meet with Richard Schaefer and Eric Gomez for a meeting that we hold after each fight.

“I have a contract with Golden Boy Promotions with which I am very happy. Any event or matter that points to the contrary is false.”

NEW YORK (Sept. 19, 2013) — Last Saturday’s blockbuster boxing event — THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO — ranked as the highest-grossing pay-per-view of all time, with nearly $150 million in U.S. pay-per-view revenue reported to date. The news was announced today by Showtime Networks Inc., a division of CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS), in conjunction with event promoters Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
The SHOWTIME PPV presentation of THE ONE surpassed the previous record of $136 million generated by Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing event in 2007.

Preliminary reports from distributors show pay-per-view buys projected to be 2.2 million. While not fully reported from all distributors, the total buys could challenge the existing record of 2.48 million pay-per-view buys set by De La Hoya vs. Mayweather. The initial report immediately following the De La Hoya vs. Mayweather event in 2007 was 2.15. THE ONE has already exceeded the previous #2 event, the infamous World Heavyweight Championship bout between Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II (1.95 million, 1997).

The Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 event, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, was headlined by the #1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, who already holds the all-time record in gross pay-per-view receipts, and wildly popular Mexican challenger Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in a super welterweight world championship bout. Mayweather dominated the exciting fight and won by decision to remain undefeated with 45 wins in his 17 years as a professional. Also on the pay-per-view boxing card was Philadelphia’s Danny “Swift” Garcia who emerged as the #1 boxer in the world at 140 pounds with an action-packed decision win over Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse of Argentina. Both of these bouts will premiere on SHOWTIME® on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9:00 PM, ET/PT. The telecast will include never-before-seen ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO footage from fight night. Then, on Wednesday, Sept. 25, SHOWTIME will conclude the ALL ACCESS series devoted to this event with “Epilogue,” premiering on SHOWTIME at 10:00 PM, ET/PT.

What had been called the biggest boxing event in years during the build-up proved worthy of the hype. Tickets for the event sold out within 24 hours of going on sale and set a new boxing record for live gate revenue at more than $20 million. Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions reported earlier a record number of sponsorship and sponsor activation for a boxing event and additional distribution records for live closed circuit viewing (over 26,000 tickets sold in Las Vegas alone) and live movie theatre screenings at more than 500 theatres nationwide. On Friday, before fight night, the crowd at the official

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weigh-in was believed to be the largest on record, featuring an announced attendance of more than 12,000 excited fans.

ABOUT “THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO”:
THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO was a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship that took place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, was promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse squared off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina squared off in a 12-round battle for Smith’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Title which is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The opening bout on SHOWTIME PPV featured a 10-round welterweight showdown between Pablo Cesar Cano and Ashley Theophane. The mega-event was produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® at 9:00 PM, ET/6:00 PM, PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).
* * *

I’ll never forget this week for the rest of my life.

A dream that started long ago as a five year old kid, was realized as a 33 year old man. I always wanted to fight on a super boxing event and I finally have.
I remember watching Mike Tyson, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard in the 1980s and thinking I’d love to be part of that one day. Well that day happened on Saturday 14th September 2013.
A Floyd Mayweather fight is now so much more than just an event, it’s simply the biggest boxing show in the world.
The week started on Tuesday, when we had the ‘Grand Arrivals’ at the MGM Casino. That was unreal! It finally dawned on me then that this was really about to happen.
I train hard all the time regardless of the proximity of a fight. I thrive on it and enjoy it, so I push myself to be the best that I can be. Being in the gym training with great fighters can only get the best out of you.
Seeing the thousands of faces waiting in anticipation for the fighters at the Grand Arrival was crazy. That unique feeling of seeing my opponent, face to face for the first time – is unexplainable. You can’t prepare yourself for an event like this. You can watch it as a spectator, but actually being in there is another thing completely. There’s a heck of a lot of pressure to perform, but I feel like I was born for the big stage.
Pablo Cesar Cano had fought on a Floyd Mayweather card before against the legend, Erik Morales. He has fought Paul Malignaggi at the Barclays Centre in front of over ten thousand people. He has fought boxing legend, Shane Mosley in Mexico. He’d been part of big events before, so he knew the feeling. For me, this was both new and exhilarating.
I knew that I had fought and beaten better fighters than him, but occasions like this test the true character of a man. It can be daunting and nerve racking, or you can love the attention and thrive on the pressure. I loved the pressure and the attention!
Floyd told me later that day in the locker room, that all I have to do is win and he would get me a world title shot. He looked at me and said “you know I can make it happen”. He has presented me with a life changing opportunity, because he believes in me. I’ve waited and worked my whole life for this moment. I’m very grateful to him and Leonard Ellerbe.
On Wednesday the undercard fighters had the autograph signing, and a workout at the MGM Grand. It was again incredible. Everyone had their time slot to sign gloves, and take pictures with the fans. Following this, each fighter was given a chance to show off their skills in the ring in the lobby of the MGM Grand. World champions Ishe Smith and Danny Garcia followed myself and two time world title challenger, Pablo Cesar Cano.
Thursday was the press conference! Leonard Ellerbe introduced me, and summarized the story of how and why I was signed by Mayweather Promotions. Listening to him talk about me, made me feel proud of what I had accomplished. Being signed by the number one boxer in the world isn’t easy, but I achieved it with hard work, perseverance and resilience.
As I walked to the stage. I was surrounded by some of boxing’s top men; Richard Schaefer, Bernard Hopkins and Leonard Ellerbe. These are memorable and unforgettable times, they will last with me forever.
Hundreds of the world’s media were in attendance, patiently listening to me. I started by thanking Leonard and Floyd for this incredible opportunity, because without them, it would not have been possible.
I told my story of how I fell in love with boxing from watching Mike Tyson in the 80?s. Turning professional ten years ago in Britain with no one in Britain’s boxing establishment believing in me. But somehow I had become British champion, and beaten former world champion Demarcus Corley, two time world title challenger, Delvin Rodriguez, who fights Miguel Cotto next and dropped a split decision to world champion, Danny Garcia who had knocked out Amir Khan.
It feels good knowing that I’ve faced some very good fighters on the world stage.
I was told that I stole the show at the press conference, one reporter told me that my story is reminiscent of the “American dream”.
The weigh in at the MGM Garden Arena was filled with 12,000 fight fans, with by far the majority being Mexicans. I was the first to walk out with Notorious B.I.G’s song ‘Juicy’ banging out around the Arena. I signed t-shirts, stopped for pictures and shook hands on my way to the stage to weigh in.
I’ve obviously watched these things so many times on TV over the years, but to be part of it was truly amazing and something I’ll remember to my dying day. This week was the best week in my ten year boxing career.
I got to the stage and Richard Schaefer and Bernard Hopkins were already there. The Commissioner, and the most respected of boxing’s media were below watching and reporting on the proceedings. Some of the Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions fighters were lined up on stage watching; Shane Mosley, Devon Alexander, Amir Khan, Abnar Mares, Badou Jack, to name but a few.
Pablo Cesar Cano came to the stage after me. The crowd was electric, and we could feel them pulse through our veins as the world’s cameras focused on us. We both weighed in below the 143lb weight limit which was stipulated in the contract. The great modern day champion, Bernard Hopkins stood between us. We did the traditional stare down, no one blinking, no one showing fear. We both so much wanted and needed this win.
Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthysse, Ishe Smith, Saul Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather all weighed in after me. What a gathering to be part of. The bill had already broken the record for ticket sales, and Floyd Mayweather had also broken the record previously held by Mike Tyson, for the highest guaranteed purse of 41.5 million dollars. Which could rise to 100 million after PPV has been added to it.
I was playing my part in the biggest boxing show in history. Ashley Theophane from London. Who would have dared to think that ten years ago when I turned professional. Coming from where I’ve come from, I’m a winner already. I followed my dream and I made it a reality. From London to Las Vegas! But now I was here, I wanted so much more, on a platform like this – I so wanted to win.
Saturday 14th September 2013. Two time world title challenger Pablo Cesar Cano and I went at it, no quarter asked for, and believe me, none given. The Mexican fans were making a deafening roar for their man. Many of the fans in the arena were gripped to their seats.
It was a hell of a fight, it went back and forth. No respect was given, it was full on every minute. We both gave our all and both had to dig deeper than we ever had before. It was a relentless pace, and we felt each other’s blows again and again. The momentum changed quickly from one to the other, we called on our reserves and battled all the way to the final bell. It was tough, very tough indeed.
We waited anxiously for the scorecards, boxing judges Richard Houck and Patricia More seeing the fight different to Richard Ocasio, who scored the fight to me 96-94. He had his strong moments and I had mine. Just like my fight with future world champion Danny Garcia, it was a fight that could have gone either way.
British boxing legends, Ricky Hatton and David Haye both sent me positive messages after the fight. Ricky told me “what a great performance at world level”. David, who has inspired and motivated me with his performances over the years, gave me words of encouragement. “It’s good to be officially ‘world class’, so you never know what title shot may arise.”
Thank you gentlemen, you taking the time to share your supportive words with me will never be forgotten.
Floyd Mayweather told me after the fight that I’d be okay and that he still had love for me. When he was doing his post-fight press conference he told the world’s media “Ashley fought like a champion, I’m still proud of you”.
René Carayol flew from the UK to watch me take part in a historical event. He was proud of my performance and told me “The dream continues”.
Very few people are able to follow their dream and make it a reality. It takes hard work, dedication, and you have to be very mentally strong as you’ll come across many non-believers who, if allowed to, can suck your energy and self-belief. I have not given them the pleasure of seeing me wilt on my special journey.
I only have very good things to say about Floyd Mayweather. He’s obviously a great elite athlete, but he’s an even greater person. Floyd, the most sincere thanks for believing and investing in me.
CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe gave me this extraordinary opportunity, and also believes in my talent.
On the long and arduous road to success, set backs are a necessary part of the process. I have the best team in the world behind me. We will get there!
Some succeed because they are destined to. But most succeed because they are determined to.
I have learned loads, I gave loads and took loads from this unbelievable experience – winners never quit, and quitters never win. I’m no quitter.

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 18) – Nearly 8-out-of-10 households in Mexico with a television set tuned into last Saturday’s “THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo” mega-fight live on Televisa’s Channel 5. The 12-round majority decision fight, which Mayweather won, garnered a national rating of 41.1 points, which equates to a 77 percent share, 22.1 million viewers and 5.9 million television households, making it the highest-rated boxing program ever on television in Mexico. The telecast peaked with a National rating of 42 points (78.4 percent share/22.6 million viewers6 million television households) and the total program average from 8:00 p.m. CT to 12:30 a.m. CT was 30.1 points (16.2 million viewers/4.3 million television households).

“Boxing fans demanded “THE ONE” and when we gave it to them they responded with these record ratings,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “This proves that great fights with great fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez will always strike a chord with viewers and that Canelo is undisputed as the biggest star Mexican boxing has today.”

The last time a sporting event rated this high on Televisa was in 1999, for a Copa Confederaciones soccer final between Mexico vs. Brazil, with the only other programs rating this high in Mexico being select, very popular telenovelas on Televisa’s Channel 2.

The previous viewership high for Canelo, who has never garnered less than 7.5 million viewers for one of his eight appearances on Televisa, was his April bout against Austin “No Doubt” Trout, which pulled in a 28 point rating and over 15 million viewers.

For more information, visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com , www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.canelopromotions.com and www.TelevisaDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mayweatherpromo, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/canelopromotion, and www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @MayweatherPromotions @GoldenBoyBoxing.

In the wake of her controversial scorecard that had this past Saturday night’s bout between Floyd Mayweather and Saul Alvarez be a draw, judge CJ Ross has stepped down as a judge in Nevad according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Luckily two othwe judges rightly scored the fight in favor of Mayweather thus giving him a majority decision.

“I will be taking some time off from boxing but will keep in touch,” Ross wrote.

“We respect her decision, and appreciate her love of the sport she has served for over 20 years,” said Nevad executive director Keth Kizer. “She came into the [commission] office [on Tuesday] and spoke with chairman [Bill] Brady, commissioner [Francisco] Aguilar and me.”

“She did not get too in depth, especially without a DVD of the bout,” Kizer said. “She referenced it was round-by-round scoring, and that overall she thought Mayweather outperformed Alvarez.”

“I apologized to the governor for any embarrassment we may have caused the state,” Brady told the newspaper. “He made me aware of his concerns. He wants things done right.”

“There will be more questions asked, and Keith will be held accountable for his recommendations,” Brady told the Review-Journal. “We won’t be a rubber stamp anymore.”

EW YORK (Sept. 17, 2013) – SHOWTIME Sports will air Floyd Mayweather’s “masterful” (Associated Press) performance against Canelo Alvarez and Danny Garcia’s “scintillating” (Wall Street Journal) victory over Lucas Matthysse this Saturday on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) as a replay of the blockbuster Sept. 14 PPV event titled “THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo.”

The television premiere of “THE ONE” will be preceded and immediately followed by the SHOWTIME Sports documentary film “LT: The Life & Times”, the first ever feature length film about the incredibly dramatic life of NFL Hall of Famer and legendary linebacker Lawrence Taylor (premieres this Friday, Sept. 20 at 8p ET/PT on SHOWTIME).

The dramatic moments surrounding the historic event will be chronicled in ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Canelo Epilogue premiering next Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The epilogue will spotlight the intensity of fight week, taking viewers inside the ropes on fight night and into the rarely seen, uncelebrated aftermath of world championship boxing.

Mayweather, the undisputed, pound-for-pound king, put on a clinic against Mexican sensation Canelo, handing the 23-year-old superstar his first loss in front of a largely pro-Canelo crowd at the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Canelo couldn’t solve the puzzle of the 36-year-old Floyd Mayweather, who showcased his signature speed and elusiveness en route to a questionable majority decision. For the night’s work, Mayweather collected a guaranteed $41.5 million and Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight Championships.

In the event’s co-feature, Garcia knocked down feared power-puncher Matthysse for the first time in his career and retained the unified super lightweight world title in an impressive performance against his favored opponent.

Matthysse entered the fight having knocked out five of his last six opponents but his power wasn’t apparent against Garcia, who executed a solid game plan in the unanimous decision victory.

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, FLIX ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.