Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin holding WBO middleweight title belt hostage

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NEW YORK (April 21, 2013) – Charismatic world champion prizefighter Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KOs) is holding his World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight title belt hostage, as he prepares to make his first defense this Saturday evening (April 27) against challenger Fernando Guerrero (25-1, 19 KOs) on Showtime Championship Boxing, airing live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The 29-year-old Quillin, fighting back at home once again in New York City, captured the WBO championship this past October 20 at Barclays Center, dropping defending champion and previously unbeaten Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (27-0) six times en route to a overwhelming 12-round unanimous (115-107 three times) decision.

“I earned my belt and I don’t plan on giving it back until I retire,” Quillin said. “I’m going to win a few more belts for my collection, if any of the other world champions want to fight me on in a unification fight. My goal is to become the undisputed middleweight champion of the world but, first, I have to take care of business Saturday night against a hungry challenger.

“The big difference between me and Guerrero, though, is he wants to be famous and I just want to be the best middleweight in the world. Boxing is a struggle, like my well documented life, coming from such a negative environment. He’s a lot different than anybody I’ve fought, a different challenge I want to get past. I take nothing away from him but, he knows what it feels like to lose. I’m 28-0, never been beaten, and I’ve challenged myself to stay unbeaten.”

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BOSTON STRONG
“Kid Chocolate” has dedicated his world title fight this Saturday night to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and their families.

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Guerrero has defeated current International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior middleweight champion Ishe Smith, as well as notables such as Juan Carlos Candelo, Saul Duran, Ossie Duran and Gabriel Rosado. Two years ago, though, the left-handed Dominican was stopped in the fourth round by then 40-year-old Grady Brewer.

“Guerrero is a tough kid with some skills who can box a little,” Quillin’s head trainer, Eric Brown, recently remarked. “He’s like any other guy we fight – we take ’em serious and don’t play ’em. We’re preparing to fight this guy at his peak, ready for him to bring his best.

“Anytime a guy goes from contender to champion, like Peter, his confidence is higher. He feels good about himself. People start calling him champ, recognizing him as a champ, and that boosts his enthusiasm. But I think it’s more difficult defending than winning a world title. Once you win it, you’ve got to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Peter will prove that he’s even better than when he won the title.”

“Me and my partner, Jimmy McDevitt, are very excited about Peter’s first title defense,” Quillin’s co-manager John Seip added. “He’s developed a different mindset going from contender to world champion. Insecurities and confidence issues are erased as champion. He’s a much more dangerous fighter as a title holder. The world championship belt is something all fighters train for and dedicated their lives to. He is much more aware of this and takes nothing for granted.

“This is the second phase of Peter’s career. The hard part has just started and there is no room for complacency. Peter isn’t satisfied with winning the world title; he wants more. We’ve been with him since day one and we’ve never seen a more confident, determined young man. He sincerely believes he is fulfilling his destiny, which is very difficult to beat. I hope Mr. Guerrero has prepared himself for a war. This should be an exciting fight….don’t blink!”

For more information about Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin go online to www.TheKidChocolate.com (new Team Kid Chocolate T-shirts on sale here) or follow him on Twitter @KidChocolate and Instagram@KidChocolate.




Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin WBO champ dedicates Apr. 27 title fight to Boston Marathon bombing victims & families

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NEW YORK (April 19, 2013) – Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KOs) has dedicated his April 27th world title fight to victims of the recent Boston Marathon bombings and their families.

Quillin will make his first world title defense on Saturday night, Apr. 27, against challenger Fernando Guerrero (25-1, 19 KOs), live on Showtime Championship Boxing, from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

“I checked in with a friend from Boston, Bob Trieger, who is also my publicist,” Quillin explained his decision. “He told me how tough it was there. I felt the sadness and pain in his voice and wanted to do something to help. I decided to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings and their families by dedicating my April 27th world title defense to them in hopes of helping them heal a little bit. I want to let everybody affected by this horrific act to know all Americans truly care about them and that they are in our daily thoughts and prayers.

“These innocent people were just watching a marathon. It just shows how scary life can be, that something horrible like this can happen anywhere, because there are crazy people out there with terror in their hearts.

“I believe people from all different diversities should help comfort people from Boston during these trying times. I know what’s important in life. We need to care about each other and maybe, by dedicating my fight in their honor, I’ll help some of these poor people in Boston get through the darkness and back into the light. It’s not just God Bless America, anymore; I also say, God Bless the World. The Boston Marathon bombing is relevant to tragic events happening all over the world. People need to come together to fight terrorism. That’s the real fight!”

For more information about Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin go online to www.TheKidChocolate.com (new Team Kid Chocolate T-shirts on sale here) or follow him on Twitter @KidChocolate and Instagram@KidChocolate.




FIGHTERS MAKE PREDICTIONS FOR EACH OTHER’S BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK MEGA-FIGHTS

LOS ANGELES, April 18 – With the Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight between Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout coming up this weekend on Saturday, April 20 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, followed by the Unified Super Lightweight World Championship between Danny Garcia and Zab Judah at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, April 27 and the culmination of the back-to-back-to-back championship fight weekends, “MAY DAY: Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero” on Saturday, May 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, predictions are swirling around on the internet, in newspapers and on television from boxing scribes and fans doing their best to make their calls on what will happen in the upcoming fights.

Yet perhaps the predictions that hold the most weight are those of the pugilists themselves set to fight in the coming weeks.

Below are fight predictions from WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez,Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift Garcia,Middleweight Contender Fernando Guerrero,Six-Time and Four Division World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero,Middleweight Rising Star J’Leon Love, Two Division World Champion Abner Mares,WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa CruzandWBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout – Saturday, April 20 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

“I am going with Austin Trout, but he has to go in there and box. He can’t let Canelo Alvarez warm up too early. If he drops hard punches, he’ll pull it off.”

– Danny Garcia

“Gotta go with Canelo Alvarez. He’s young and he’s a mentally and physically strong person. Also, the people (fans) make him better.”

– Fernando Guerrero

“Canelo Alvarez is very hungry to prove all the doubters wrong. Both fighters have tremendous heart and will give fans a night to remember. Canelo has developed nicely and I’m giving him the edge in this fight based on pure desire. His body attack will be the difference. Canelo wins by mid-fight knockout.”

– Robert Guerrero

“I think Austin Trout will win because he has a better skill set and he’s a better boxer.”

– J’Leon Love

“That’s going to be a really exciting fight being that Canelo Alvarez has never faced a champion in his prime. Austin Trout is a difficult fighter that just beat (Miguel) Cotto, but I think Canelo should win because he’s younger and has a statement to make to let the world know that he is the real thing as a younger and hungrier fighter.”

– Abner Mares

“I’m going with Canelo Alvarez because he’s more powerful. I think Canelo can win by knockout if Austin Trout is willing to exchange shots.”

– Daniel Ponce de Leon

“This is a good matchup for boxing. You can’t go wrong with either fighter. Its two top fighters at the top of their game. I’m in the gym with Canelo Alvarez, and Austin Trout is my friend, so it is hard to pick.”

– Peter Quillin

“I think Canelo Alvarez is going to win. He comes forward. It’s going to be hard for Austin Trout to take Canelo’s pressure and handle his strength. Trout will make it difficult for Canelo, but I think he will win.”

– Leo Santa Cruz

Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah – Saturday, April 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

“This is a great fight. I don’t have a favorite. The best fighter will win.”

– Canelo

“Danny Garcia will win. Zab Judah had his time. I think its Garcia’s time now.”

– F. Guerrero

“Zab Judah will make the proper adjustments in this fight, which will tame the young lion Garcia. Danny’s youth and punching power will even out Zab’s experience. This fight ends in draw.”

– R. Guerrero

“I pick Danny Garcia because he is younger and stronger.”

– Love

“This is another interesting fight. I’m 100 percent sure that Danny Garcia is going to win. No doubt the power punch is there. I know that isn’t everything for everyone, but that’s everything for Garcia. Zab Judah is an older guy. He’s an older fighter. I think he’s coming in with everything he has, but that isn’t enough. Youth and power trump age. I pick Garcia by knockout.”

– Mares

“Danny Garcia has power in his fists and will win by knockout. He is young and full of energy.”

– Ponce de Leon

“I think that in the first rounds Zab Judah will be a problem for Danny Garcia, but he will get tired in the later rounds. Danny will take advantage of that and knock him out.”

– Santa Cruz

“Danny Garcia will win with his consistency and power.”

– Trout

Peter Quillin vs. Fernando Guerrero – Saturday, April 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

“I cannot give a prediction since I’ve never seen Fernando Guerrero fight. However, Peter Quillin is the champion and has the advantage.”

– Canelo

“Peter Quillin all the way. He has the street in him and the heart. That’s the making of a great fighter.”

– Garcia

“This is going to be a competitive fight. I’m going with Peter Quillin to win by knockout because I feel he has the better punching power and will catch Guerrero with a punch he doesn’t see coming.”

– R. Guerrero

“Peter Quillin is a bigger puncher, but it will be a hard fight. I think Quillin will pull it off though.”

– Love

“That is a really tough fight. I know a lot of people see it toward Peter Quillin, but I think he’s going to have a hard time. Guerrero takes everything and more and gives as much back. It’s going to be an even fight.”

– Mares

“I think Peter Quillin has the advantage and can win in any way. He’s the better boxer and is the champion.”

– Ponce de Leon

“I haven’t seen much of Fernando Guerrero, but what I have seen from Peter Quillin, he’s a really good, strong fighter. I think he’s going to win by decision, but I think he is going to take a few punches along the way.”

– Santa Cruz

“Peter Quillin showed his heart and determination to win the belt. I’m sure he will go above and beyond to keep it. I am picking Kid Chocolate.”

– Trout

Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero – Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®

“Robert Guerrero has a great opportunity to win. He’s hungry for glory and will try everything to get the victory. I am picking Guerrero.”

– Canelo

“Floyd Mayweather all the way. Robert Guerrero is a good fighter. He earned his shot, but Mayweather is the star.”

– Garcia

“You can never bet against Floyd Mayweather. He’s just overall one of the best fighters ever. Gotta go with Mayweather.”

– F. Guerrero

“Floyd Mayweather is too intelligent of a fighter.”

– Love

“Floyd Mayweather is such a talented fighter and he backs it up. He talks a lot, but he backs it up. I know Robert Guerrero is hungry and determined, but wanting to win doesn’t get you a win. It’s about what you can do inside the ring, and that’s why Mayweather will win.”

– Mares

“I think Robert Guerrero can win if he fights the same way he fought Andre Berto, pressing the action like Jose Luis Castillo did against Floyd Mayweather. However, Mayweather is a great fighter and so difficult because his style, but I think Guerrero will win.”

– Ponce de Leon

“I never count Floyd Mayweather out. He’s the best pound-for-pound fighter. He’s who every fighter looks up to. I call it the Floyd Mayweather era of boxing. Robert Guerrero wanted this for a long time. He’s a multi-division champion and he deserves it. They both have something to prove. I don’t know who to pick here.”

– Quillin

“That is going to be another hard fight. I think Floyd Mayweather has more experience and he’s smarter. He knows what he has to do to win. Guerrero is a good, smart fighter, but I think Mayweather is going to take it by decision.”

– Santa Cruz

“I’m picking Floyd Mayweather, but this fight is not as easy as everyone thinks it’ll be. Robert Guerrero is hungry and has the ability to make it a tough fight.”

– Trout

Daniel Ponce de Leon vs. Abner Mares – Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®

“I’m taking Daniel Ponce de Leon. I don’t really see Abner Mares pulling it off at 126 pounds. That’s a tough fight.”

– Garcia

“Abner Mares just has the youth and the will. When guys are winning, they want to keep at it.”

– F. Guerrero

“Both Daniel Ponce de Leon and Abner Mares are great Mexican warriors. Mares is going to come forward with pressure and Ponce de Leon will counter. I’m picking Ponce de Leon to win by a close split decision.”

– R. Guerrero

“Abner Mares has much better skills.”

– Love

“A lot of people don’t give Abner Mares the credit he deserves. Daniel Ponce de Leon has a rough, rugged style. I see Mares putting on a great performance against a guy like Ponce de Leon who gives people trouble, and coming out with the win.”

– Quillin

“That is going to be another hard fight. They are both Mexican warriors. It can go either way, but if it goes to decision, Abner Mares will win. However, if Daniel Ponce de Leon catches him with a good punch, he will win by knockout.”

– Santa Cruz

“Abner Mares takes this one. His youth and toughness can outdo the super tough Daniel Ponce de Leon.”

– Trout

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Alexander Munoz – Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®

“Leo Santa Cruz should win. He’s younger and full of talent.”

– Canelo

“Leo Santa Cruz is a tough guy and he is on a hot streak. I’m going with him.”

– Garcia

“Leo Santa Cruz is going to grind out a tough hard fought victory with pressure and a nice body attack. Santa Cruz wins by unanimous decision.”

– R. Guerrero

“Leo Santa Cruz is a much busier and better fighter.”

– Love

“That fight is hard to call. I think Santa Cruz is a strong up-and-comer. I think Alexander Munoz is an tough opponent for Santa Cruz to go up against, but he will go in there, look good and come out with a win.”

– Mares

“Leo Santa Cruz is the favorite to win because is young and powerful, and I think he will win.”

– Ponce de Leon

“I love watching Leo Santa Cruz. He’s a fan-friendly fighter and I think he will win.”

– Quillin

J’Leon Love vs. Gabriel Rosado – Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV

“Gabriel Rosado is a Philly guy, so I have to go for the hometown fighter.”

– Garcia

“J’Leon Love is the man. We’ve fought on the same card several times. I fought Gabriel Rosado. That is a pretty tight fight. He’s a tough opponent. That one is a question mark for me.”

– F. Guerrero

“J’Leon Love is a good prospect, but I think Gabriel Rosado is going to pull off the upset. Experience will be the key factor in a Rosado split decision.”

– R. Guerrero

“Flip a coin on that one.”

– Mares

“This is J’Leon Love’s biggest fight. He’s in camp with the pound-for-pound champion. He has a controversial win on his record. Gabriel Rosado is rough and rugged. He puts it all on the line. We’ll see. I don’t know who will win this one.”

– Quillin

“I have heard that J’Leon Love is a really good fighter. He should be able to take it. He has more to lose. I think he’s going to go out there and win by decision.”

– Santa Cruz

“This is a toss up. J’Leon Love is looking to prove himself. Gabriel Rosado is proven in my mind at 154, so we will see if weight is an issue.”

– Trout

# # #

About Canelo vs. Trout:

Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for Canelo’s WBC title, Trout’s WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and will be a WBC lightweight semi-final elimination bout for the vacant NABA Lightweight Championship and Cotto’s WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Championship. The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Newly released tickets priced at $100, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and only available for purchase at the Alamodome box office.

About Garcia vs. Judah:

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

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

About “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero”:

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

Remaining tickets for “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero”
priced at $1,500, $1,250, $800 and $600, not including applicable service charges, are on sale now with a ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com
or www.ticketmaster.com.

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




Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin & trainer Eric Brown riding high into Apr. 27 WBO World title Defense against Fernando Guerrero in Brooklyn

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LOS ANGELES (April 14, 2013) – Undefeated, World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KOs) and his head trainer, Eric Brown, have developed a symbiotic relationship working together during the past two years. Quillin makes his first world title defense April 27 on Showtime Championship Boxing against challenger Fernando Guerrero (25-1, 19 KOs), at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The right chemistry was there from the start between Quillin and Brown, after the charismatic Cuban-American boxer decided to move his training camp from New York City to Los Angeles, and they’ve been in sync ever since.

“Expectations are high for both of us,” Quillin spoke about their solid relationship. “Eric raised his bar last year as a Trainer of the Year candidate (Brown also trains WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi). I always work hard. He expects a lot out of me and, if he doesn’t get what he wants, we work even hard in the ring. I know that he really cares and values me. I’m very comfortable with Eric, learning a lot from him, in and out of the ring. I blessed to have two other great trainers to work with in Robert Garcia (nutrition and conditioning) and Brad Bose (strength).”

Quillin was originally schedule to defend against Guerrero on February 9, but the entire show was postponed due to an injury suffered by headliner Danny Garcia. Neither fighter nor trainer believes the delay will adversely affect Quillin’s performance at home on Apr. 27.

“It bummed me out a little at first,” Quillin said, “but I did what Eric said and I’ll be in great shape for my fight. I went home for a month but kept a clean lifestyle, as always. I will not be undisciplined because fighting is my job, 24-7.

“Another homecoming motivates me. I will be there in the best shape of my life to showcase my talents again on Showtime and in the Barclays Center. That’s what keeps me happy and driven. I know where I’m from and I enjoy sharing it with my friends and fans back home in New York City.”

“The delay is no problem,” Brown added. “Everything has been going good. He went home for a month but he worked out a little and kept in shape. He’s back in top shape, so the delay will have no effect on him at all.”

Like a true world champion, Quillin has made extreme sacrifices to get where he is today, starting with a fun-free training camp that was managed by his childhood friend, Johnny “Hookem” Burress.

“I can’t afford to have any distractions in camp to accomplish what I want in boxing, getting to the next level to become the undisputed middleweight champion of the world,” Quillin concluded. “I’ve been friends with Johnny for more than 20 years, going back to growing up together in Grand Rapids (MI). He was the one that told me others may go into a gym to learn how to fight, but I always knew how to fight and went to the gym to learn how to box.

“I’ve always been a fighter and a fight is like going to war. My training camp is all business. I don’t enjoy anything at camp. I couldn’t go to a Rihanna concert because I’m getting ready for this fight, so I’m going to take that out on Guerrero.”

For more information about Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin go online to www.TheKidChocolate.com (new Team Kid Chocolate T-shirts on sale here) or follow him on Twitter @KidChocolate and Instagram@KidChocolate.




DANNY GARCIA VS. ZAB JUDAH AND PETER QUILLIN VS. FERNANDO GUERRERO CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

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Kelly Swanson

We are doing this call to talk about the big fight coming up April 27th, the main event is Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah, and also featured co-main event is Peter Quillin and Fernando Guerrero. And just for the little homework purposes we will start with Peter and Fernando, and then Danny Garcia and Zab Judah will be joining us immediately following, so we appreciate your patience and hanging in there while we do this call.

Before I introduce and turn it over to David Itskowitch with Golden Boy, I wanted to just mention to everybody that we do have a solid really busy April month for three great fights; and just from a media note, we will be doing a lot of conference calls, a lot of media days supplying you with plenty of information about all of those fights, so please watch your inbox. We don’t mean to inundate you with information, but due to the schedule, there will be a lot happening for those events.

But today we’re really focused on a great event that I look forward to seeing. At this point I’m going to go ahead and turn it over to David Itskowitch, Chief Operating Officer of Golden Boy Promotions.

David Itskowitch

Thank you, Kelly. Thank you everyone for joining us today. We are really excited about this show. We’ve been waiting for it for a long time, as everyone has been. As you know, originally was scheduled for February 9th, but was postponed after Danny Garcia suffered a rib injury. As Kelly mentioned, we have Danny Garcia versus Zab Judah in a 12-round unified super lightweight world championship fight. Our co-main event is Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin versus Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight for Quillin’s WBO middleweight world championship, Saturday, April 27th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Tickets are still available, but they’re going very quickly, price starting at just $25. You can get them at Ticketmaster or at the Barclays Center box office.

The event will be televised live on Showtime Championship Boxing beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. We urge everybody to get out there and get their tickets, and if you can’t get your tickets, tune in live on Showtime.

Now I want to introduce the fighters. First up to say a few words a young man from Salisbury, Maryland, who had an impressive 2012: scored three wins, one over Jason Naugler in Mexico; the other over Jose Medina in Las Vegas; and J.C. Candelo in Texas. On April 27th the hard-hitting southpaw finally gets his chance at a world title, which he’s been waiting for for a long time. With a record of 25-1 with 19 KOs, Fernando Guerrero.

Fernando Guerrero

Hey, how y’all doing? I want to say hello to everybody that’s listening and Fernando Guerrero is going to be a champion.

Itskowitch

Thank you, Fernando. Now I’ll say a few words before we open up questions from the media. He became the WBO Middleweight World Champion by defeating World Champion Hassan N’Dam in a really, really exciting fight at the opening night for boxing at Barclays Center on October 20th of last year. He scored six knockdowns in the fight, really got the crowd going. It was really electrifying. April 27th will be his first defense when he fights Fernando Guerrero. He has a record of 28-0 with 20 KOs from Manhattan in New York City, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin.

Peter Quillin

How’s everybody is doing? Thank you for allowing me to grace the phone with you guys. I just want to thank everybody that’s made this fight possible: Barclays Center; my promotion team; Golden Boy; my advisor, Al Haymon; my management, John C., Jimmy McDevin; my trainers Eric Brown, Robert Garcia and Brad Bowes; manager, Johnny Berez; my two assistants, Tiffany Carter and Lisa Mahoy. I’m just very blessed and make sure that y’all stay tuned to be able to watch Never Guerrero, because he’s never going to be the champ like me.

Q

Peter, you fought a steadily improved caliber of opponents; Jesse Brinkley, Craig McEwan, Ronald White and of course Hassan in your last fight. Can you talk about how that progression has kind of improved you and improved you experience-wise as a fighter?

Quillin

Yes, you know just the thrill of victory, the thrill of me having the will to want to be able to be better. Roberto Duran said it best, “Once you stop trying to learn and be better, then you’re no longer good enough anymore,” so I just think I take every task I do in boxing to try to make myself a better fighter. And not only that; outside of the ring, I’m trying to work on myself to be a better person; spiritually, physically, and mentally.

Q

You talk about how the Winky Wright fight, would you consider that kind of a transition that really helped you to prepare for the atmosphere that you faced against Hassan N’Dam when you’re fighting in your hometown?

Quillin

Well, we can all look at it like that, but I look at everything as a challenge in my life. Winky Wright was just only a starter where I was going to go in. I’m not up the ladder yet where I want to be. I want to be a unified champion. I want to be all these other things and whatever comes my way I just make sure that I bust the challenges down to become just a better fighter, a better champion. The Winky fight was only a practice towards where I wanted to be. I know before the fight a lot of the hear sayers would say that I wasn’t, you know, will make it look like an ugly fight; that Winky Wright will outclass me, and all these things were said about me. To put on the performance that I did against Winky I couldn’t do it without him at the same time; but most importantly, I just take everything for the experience to be where I’m at right now.

With this fight, fighting Guerrero, he’s a southpaw and I got super lots of experience with a lot of camps fighting southpaws. I just feel comfortable in the ring and like I said, everything you got to use to be a practice to wherever you want to be.

Q

Compared to you-and this is my last question for you, has he, you feel that Fernando has faced the kind of competition or the atmosphere that you’ve faced and had to be tested against? You think that’ll be an advantage for you, your experience in those types of situations?

Quillin

Well, all I can say Fernando having a large sense of amateur background and I can probably just imagine that everybody in his corner will always tell him he was going to be a champion all his life, so being able to go out there and have the amateur record that he had and be able to go out there and perform as a professional the way he did, fighting at home, main event in his home town of Salisbury and just having just the crowd behind him in the push, only can make a person better, if not, make him weaker.

As far as me, I was never told I was going to be anything like them. So every time I step out there, I just had to prove to myself-not to the people that told me I couldn’t do it, but to myself that I was able to do these great things that I’m doing in boxing right now. So with that being said, you know what I’m saying, like I don’t have any pressure, as far as knowing that I’m able to go out there and perform. Geez, I just fought Hassan, who some would consider the fighter of the year, whereas he was dropped six times. He got back up and he fought his heart out and then now I know with the experience that I’ve got 12 rounds of hard fighting underneath my belt, so I’m only as good as my last fight. I’m looking here to capture new moments. And I’m very happy to be able to do that on Showtime and do it at the Barclays and just have all the people that’s been supporting me support me for all the right reasons. Like I said, come April 27th, I’m only looking to create more great moments in boxing.

Q

Thank you very much, Peter. Now, for Fernando, like Peter said, he had to really step up in his last fight and like I was saying, he’s faced a lot of experienced guys in his career just recently. Do you feel like you are making a huge step up? Would it be accurate for me to tell you that going into the Barclays Center in such a big atmosphere? And what kind of a challenge is that for you, personally?

Guerrero

Well, basically every fight that I step in is a big step up and now this is gonna be my first fight of the year, and it’s gonna be the biggest step up for this year. Fighting in a large crowd doesn’t faze me because I’ve been doing it for the longest. Just like he said, I was always told that I was going to be a champion. I never expected anything less. People never expected anything less, but once when you get out in the real world, it’s not that easy. You’re not going to be a champion just because people tell you that you’re going to be a champion.

So now I’m here to prove it to the world and especially to myself. I heard it before. I want to make it true, and do it for everybody that believed in me and then just keep it going.

Q

How far are you away mentally from the loss to Grady Brewer? What did it take to come back from that and how well do you think you’ve done winning four straight fights like you have?

Guerrero

Well, the thing is it was one the hardest things in my life. When I was a kid I never even thought about death or anything like that, because you know how kids, they never think they can die, because they don’t understand where do you go and everything like that. So when you lose a fight like that, when you’re undefeated and everything like that, it’s hard, you know; and you go through those breakdowns. But the thing is it’s like that’s when they show your real colors, it’s easy. I was knocking everybody out, I’m the strongest.

Even in the amateurs, I always felt like I was the strongest. I never fought anybody that was stronger than me, but God always tested me. I think it’s because He wants to make sure that everything that He’s going to give me I really want it.

So how far am I from all that? I’m not far at all. I don’t want to be far from. Every fight, every position, every place that I’ve been it made me where I am now and who I am now. So the thing is, it’s just basically is written. I don’t really care about what’s going to happen or anything. It’s already written and if I’m meant to be a champion, I’m meant to be a champion.

All I’m doing is just I’m going with the flow. I’m going to go in there and just broadcast my talent and broadcast my speed. If he hits me hard, I’m going to hit him harder. If he’s fast, I’m going to be way faster. If he’s better, I’m going to be way better than that, so it’s just going with the flow. And if that wasn’t good enough, at least it will be good enough for me, because I know that I’m doing everything by the book and everything that I’m supposed to do; and all I’m supposed to do is just try my best. And with all of that, I will be the champ.

Q

I don’t know anybody who-very few people who didn’t see Peter’s last fight, so I imagine you saw that. You just said that if he hits you hard, you’re going to hit him harder; you’re going to be faster. I would wager if you asked him it took everything he had to win his last fight. If you find yourself in a fight like that with Peter, do you think you can wage that kind of a war where you have to get up and really answer blow for blow, second for second the whole fight through?

Guerrero

Well, a lot of times a lot of boxers don’t like-it’s funny that you ask that question. It would be an honor to fight that way. I would love to fight just like that because as a fighter, I mean I’ve been seeing it for so long, we want those historical moments. We want to make those historical moments. I’m a fighter. I’m Guerrero.

So the thing is is like I’ve never been bullied and I’ve never been in that aspect. A lot of times things happen and you just got to overcome them and I’m still here. I still know that I’m the best and I still feel like I’m the best and I feel like I’m a champion. So it’s not like I just woke up yesterday and that’s my job and said, hey, I’m going to start boxing. No, I’ve lost before in the amateurs and once when I lose, I just get way better and I beat the guy up the next time, so I’ve been through it all. And like I said, it’s already written. If it’s not for me, it’s not for me, but I’m here and I’m just going to take it and I’m going to go as far as I can with it.

Q

Okay, and my last question, you had mentioned that how low you were after the Grady Brewer fight. When you said you thought about-were you saying you actually thought about death, or were you just saying that you were low? I didn’t understand that reference.

Guerrero

No, no, no, no, low as in like of course you’re going to be low, especially with the type of-it’s like I’m the type of person that it’s all about the craft, because that’s all I had. I mean as an amateur I had 9,000, 10,000 people surrounding me all the time in Salisbury; and being a Dominican and being in Salisbury and being the type of person that I was, I was always named like I was the only one. From my home town, there’s only one person that came out of and did something; that was the girl from Terminator. So other than that, I was it, so it’s just when I meant that I was low, it just crushed me that I let a lot of people down. But then once when you grow up, you got to understand, too, that it’s my life in the ring, and they really didn’t care about that and they showed me that. A lot of people showed me that they don’t even care if I box or not. They only want me to just keep pushing and keep being that person that I am.

I’m never-a lot of people don’t understand I’ve never been in the streets. I’ve never been the type of person that had a bad life or anything. Yes, my life was difficult, but it doesn’t matter. I had a good household. I stayed in school, straight A’s and all that stuff, so for me it’s like boxing was just something that I was just good at; and then I emerged, but other than that, man, it’s not everything. It’s not everything.

My everything is the people. My everything is the youth. Every time when I go to the schools, when I went to the clinic, when I did my races for cancer and everything like that, that’s my everything; providing for them, providing for my people, providing for the people that provided for me when I came to America and made me feel good and made me feel like I’m at home.

Q

Peter, are you anxious to get back in the ring because of the delay of the original date back in February?

Quillin

Well, let’s just say this, this is my whole life. The only way I feel like I’m getting my therapy is being in that ring. So with that being said, I learned a lot of things about myself within the last camp in; it being cancelled the week before I was well prepared for and it tells a lot about me when I had to step out and learn how to deal with that situation, which long agonizing days and nights training hard. But most importantly, you got to think positive and I’m going to be even more super more prepared to be able to take this fight April 27th.

Q

And Fernando, as you all know, you are Dominican. The Dominican team won the World Baseball Classics. Congratulations. How much do you want this fight to add another championship for the Dominican Republic?

Guerrero

Hey, look, man. It brought a smile to my face that you even recognize that. I don’t really wear a steady hat, so whatever anything like that, because I don’t really get into all that, but I had to buy my hat, man. I’m like oh man, like I had to get it. Everybody has their day. Every country has been having their day. You see once with Pacquiao and then the Filipinos and then Mexico and then Puerto Rico. Then a lot of people in the back burner, they’re always laughing at us a little bit, like how many Dominicans have you ever seen with a Tito Trinidad title and all that other stuff, all the Cubans and everything like that?

But the thing is it’s like, I mean we’re small and we’re coming up. And little things like that even back in the day people didn’t understand when I tried to tell them the only person that I had to look up was Sammy Sosa. But they’re like, oh, he’s not from boxing. I was like, yeah, but that’s my idol. I want to be the Sammy Sosa of boxing.

But now we have a few other Dominicans that are winning their championships, it makes me feel good. It makes me feel proud of my country and I just want to be an addition to that and I want all those other people just to know that yes, we’re doing some things and we’re going to keep it going.

Q

Do you feel there is pressure to become a champion as a Dominican?

Guerrero

It’s no pressure at all. It just makes me feel good and all I want to do is just add to what we need too to our country. Boxing is pressure; so anything else is no pressure at all.

Q

Peter, how do you feel physically and what do you want the fans to know for April 27th?

Quillin

Well, let’s just say I feel very, very good. I just found myself in a place where in my life where it’s just like I’m just feeling physically, mentally strong. I just I’m very happy to be where I’m at right now. I don’t take anything for granted. I don’t take what Fernando was trying to do for his country away, because within ourselves, that’s very powerful. But at the same time, I have my own reasons why I should be doing what I’m doing. I’m doing this for just not being a Cuban-American, I’m a … I’m saying like a lot of Cubans that’s back in Cuba, they sit on the beach and it’s like a sad thing to watch. People just want to get out of that country and fight for opportunity.

So now that I’m here and I know that it’s very important to be able to say yo man, it ain’t about the sand. It ain’t about nothing else besides myself. Like I hear Fernando talking about he’s doing it for the fans and he’s doing it for everybody. But to be able to do it for somebody else, you have to be able to do it for yourself first to be able to prove to other people that, you know what I’m saying, you’re doing it for yourself; and that’s what the fans are going to support, you doing it for yourself.

So, me doing this, it’s more than just like for Cuba and my father, who came over here with just a pair of pants and a shirt with no shoes on and come over here to make a-

Guerrero

I’m sorry to cut you off, Peter.

Quillin

I didn’t cut you off.

(Overlapping voices)

Guerrero

I could never do it for somebody else.

Quillin

I respect what you’re doing. I respect what you’re doing, but when I gave the opportunity to talk and you gave your long answers, I respect that, but now it’s my turn to talk. I’m the champion; respect the champ.

Right now I’m telling you that whatever you’re doing and for whatever reasons you’re doing it, you’re finding the wrong reasons and I’m going to exploit those reasons why you’re doing this for the wrong people. The only thing amounts to when he’s talking running from a cat is when you run into this whole thing and he’s mad that he ran from the cat. All right, when he comes out of the hole and he decides that he’s going to fight the cat and be able to put up a fight and he decided it’s a fight that he can’t win, he runs back to the hole.

Listen man, we both fought older guys. We both had those kind of things in our life to say what we at, why we are at now in life, and right now I’m trying to prove to myself that I’m the strongest champion out there. You will not beat me April 27th. The only thing you’re going to know how to do is run back in that hole like you did with Grady Brewer. You know how to lose. Me and you fighting from two different points of views; you fighting not to want to lose again. I’m fighting to keep my undefeated record and be the powerful champion that God sent me here to be.

Guerrero

Are you done?

Quillin

Yes, let’s keep it short and straight to the point because that’s what I’m going to do when I fight you. We’re going to keep it straight, straight to the point.

Guerrero

The only way we can keep it straight and short to the point is in the ring, my man, you know.

(Overlapping voices)

Quillin

I’m going to prove that April 27th. It is already said and done man.

Guerrero

You just started yesterday and God has blessed you and there’s no doubt, but I don’t respect nobody because I’m the champ. When you get into the ring, you’re not going to fight ….

Quillin

No, you’re fighting an animal, a hungry little animal, that’s what you’re fighting. The only thing you’re going to be in this fight is …

Guerrero

Every animal has his day and you’re not an animal until you face me.

Quillin

I’m the champ. I’m the champ. I’m the champ.

Q

Fernando, I know you have a huge following in Salisbury, Maryland. I was just wondering what type of a response you’re expecting when you step into Barclays, you know, tapped into the Dominican community from New York City.

Guerrero

Well like I said, the following has always been great, but all I need is one or two people. Like I said, all I need is one or two people, and they always come through for me not just because I’m doing it for myself or anything. I fight for different reasons. Boxing, it’s not just about boxing. It’s about what boxing means to those people, what I have achieved, and that’s what I do. I just get in there for those people because those are the ones that made me and I’m going to put my life on the line.

I don’t care about the fight with this dude. I’ve lost … amateur. That’s nothing new to me. Life is not, it’s like a lot of people try to make it seem like because I was in the Dominican Republic and I had no shoes and I had-Peter, you don’t know anything about having no shoes or nothing. You probably never even been to Cuba. Your dad told you.

Quillin

I said boxing is fighting through the struggles. It’s not fighting for two or three people. Boxing is fighting through the struggles. I have been to Cuba. I witnessed my family living in the same house that my father lived in over 32 years ago. I’ve been to the Dominican Republic. I’ve seen how people live in DR. I’ve been to China; I’ve been everywhere.

The thing that’s important to me is that I’m doing this for myself and nobody else, so once I step in there on April 27th the only thing Fernando Guerrero is going to be able to do is run back in that hole because I’m going to be a cat on his ass.

Guerrero

Yes, okay. Well, he already said what I was going to do, so I can’t say anything about that, but we’ll see it in the fight. I’ve never been the type of person that I don’t even know what he’s talking about rat and mouse or whatever and all that stuff and the cat. I just know that I know what made me. I know what I fight for and my purpose, my purpose and that’s what I’m going to go with, my purpose, my heart.

I don’t see this just myself. I see it from everybody. I see from all that energy everything, that’s what keeps me alive and that’s where I’m going to put and that’s what I’m going to show the whole world over there. If you fight for yourself, if you do it for yourself, y’all gonna be … yourself, by yourself.

Swanson

That was the last question for Peter and Fernando, thank you so much for joining us today. That was very exciting. I can’t wait to see the fight, so we are now going to say good-bye to you. Thank you for taking your time to join us and we will see you fight week here in Brooklyn, New York.

Quillin

I’m looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to that. I want to make a closing comment. I want to say make sure that y’all go tune in to this fight April 27th. I going to be only on animal status and I hope and I just pray that he’s ready when he comes, they should allow him every last allow him to wear headgear because I’m coming straight for you, homie. I’m done with this call. Have and nice and blessed day. Hit up www.kidchocolate.com.

Swanson

Thank you. Now we have our main event fighters on the line, so I am going to one note of homework, Danny Garcia will be having his media day in Philadelphia this Thursday. The alert will go out after the call. Now I’m going to turn it back over Dave Itskowitch to make the opening introductions, and here we go. Dave.

Itskowitch

Thank you, Kelly. Introducing now, I want to say a few words; this young man is one of New York’s most accomplished fighters of all time. He’s a former five-time world champion, that’s super lightweight and welterweight, former undisputed welterweight world champion on swings over Cory Spinks, Lucas Matthysse, Micky Ward, Junior Witter and DeMarcus Corley, has also shared the ring with Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto and Kostya Tszyu. He’s won six of his last seven bouts, most recently in ninth round technical knockout win over then unbeaten Vernon Paris last March.

On April 27th he’s going to look to use his speed, wring savvy and vast experience to capture the unified title from the younger Garcia. He’s got a record of 42-7 with 29 KOs from Brooklyn, New York, Zab “Super” Judah. Zab.

Zab Judah

What’s up, y’all? Five time champion of the world, the last undisputed welterweight champion in the world.

Itskowitch

Now I would like to introduce the unified super lightweight world champion. He was boxing’s breakout star of 2012 and was a top candidate for 2012 Fighter of the Year honors as a result of his spectacular performances. He won his first world title in March of 2012 by dropping and then decisioning the legendary Eric Morales for the WBC 140 pound title. Garcia had unified the titles in July for the stunning fourth round knockout of the Amir Khan netting him the WBA Super and Ring Magazine world championships. He helped to open Barclays Center for boxing business last October with a one punch knock-out of Morales in their rematch, which was really spectacular, and a candidate for 2012 knock-out of the year.

He has a record of 25-0 with 16 KOs from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Danny Swift Garcia. Danny?

Danny Garcia

What’s up, guys? Thanks for having me on. I just want to let everybody know I’m having a great camp, really motivated. I’m 110% ready and I can’t wait to show people my skills April 27th on Showtime.

Q

I want to start with Danny. Can you talk, Danny, just a little bit about what exactly happened to you with the injury and then your thoughts when it came to the point where you actually had to postpone the fight and move it from February to April?

Garcia

Yes, it was three weeks out to the fight. It was Saturday and I was fine. I sparred three different guys. I did 12 rounds. After I got done sparring, I had a sharp pain on my side. I thought maybe it was a cramp or something, but when I cooled down, I couldn’t I put my hands past my head, because I couldn’t stretch because the pain was so severe, so I went to the ER. I got my ribs checked and they said I had a bruised rib. They said that it would take four to six weeks to heal, so I tried to train with it another week, but I couldn’t run or anything because it was taking my breath away. So we had to make the decision I was supposed to spar that Saturday. I couldn’t spar, so I couldn’t go through a championship fight not sparring for three weeks, because timing is everything.

So we had to make the smart decision and we had to postpone the date, but now I’m 110% ready and we’re about four weeks out and it’s coming up faster than you know it.

Q

So Danny, it hasn’t given you any problems since you were able to go back and spar.

Garcia

No, I’m 110 percent ready. We healed it right. We started sparring at the right time. We did a couple treatments. We’ve done our physical training and I’m just strong and I’m ready to go.

Q

Okay, Zab, I wanted to ask you about that. Can you talk just a little about the mental aspect of being very close to a very important fight and having it get postponed because you’ve already been probably at that point through, probably well over a month of training camp and it comes sudden where you didn’t do anything wrong. You’re still in good shape. You’re getting ready and your opponent gets injured and has to postpone the fight. What’s that like to deal with the disappointment and have to recharge and get back in there?

Judah

Oh, nothing. I’ve been in the game. I understand in this boxing sport that we’re in, things happen. I mean Danny got hurt, Danny got hurt. I mean it’s nothing to that. I just got to, you know what I’m saying, put our cards right and keep on timing about the things that we’re doing and keep a watch on our preparation and our preparation is great; and we just took a little bit of time off and came back at the right time, just stay sharp in gym. And April 27th it’s going to be an explosive night.

Q

How is that, how long did you actually take off, like while he was recovering from the injury, because the fight was postponed for a month and a half? Did you take off a couple days, a month, a week, whatever?

Judah

I’m in that work zone again, you know what I mean, so I would take off days here and there, you know what I mean, so I don’t know exactly. I know I didn’t take off no straight day, you know what I’m saying? I kept it moving and kept-even if I was just doing conditioning, playing basketball or whatever it was, I was doing something.

Q

When Danny first got hurt and the fight was announced that it was postponed, you had made some comments, I think it was you made some comments that that you didn’t believe that he was injured and that maybe he wasn’t in shape and there was some talk that maybe he’d been seen out partying in Philadelphia leading up to the fight, celebrating the last victory against Morales and maybe not taking you that seriously; and that was the reason why the fight got postponed. Is that still your opinion or do you believe that Danny got injured and, like you said, stuff happens in boxing?

Judah

I mean my opinion is my opinion; you know what I’m saying? I mean what has to happen, you know what I mean? I don’t really know, but Danny has got one story. We got another story, but Danny is a fighter, so Danny-who am I to say what really happened to him? I can’t judge that, man. I mean April 27th we’re going to find out everything.

Q

Zab, you know you’ve been around. That’s an understatement. This is actually his I guess fourth or fifth champion that he’s fighting in a row and each time the guys he’s fought has pointed to his inexperience as something they would exploit. Out of all those guys, you are the most experienced and most accomplished that he will have fought. What will you bring to the ring that he hasn’t seen before?

Judah

I mean, everything, just me coming to the ring, period, you know what I’m saying, Lem? Just from him being in Brooklyn and … is something that he’s never seen before, you know what I mean? He’s going to experience things that he’s never seen. Like I said, he did open up the Barclays Center. He opened it up with me, you know what I’m saying, Lem? That’s my city. You know what I’m saying? I’m the king of that city and come April 27th we’re going to show it.

Q

When you fought Vernon Paris you seemed as though you were-I mean it was like ten years previous. I mean you really brought it and can you say what the difference between you that night and, say, you against Khan and you against maybe the latter half of the Matthysse fight, why were you so much on in that fight and can you be the same in this fight?

Judah

Yes, just that my whole focus is different, you know what I mean? When they told me I was going to Brooklyn against the undefeated fighter, like Vernon Paris, I was excited. See, people don’t understand. Fights and people don’t give me, it’s opportunity of things that gets me, you know what I’m saying? I’m saying with me having the opportunity of being the only and last man to unify a weight division, a junior welterweight, because of what the WBC rules are now, so to my understanding there will be no more undisputed champion of the world after this fight is done. So for me being that I did it at welterweight and I’ll come back and do it at 140 again, that’s going to be beautiful to me. So it’s the opportunity that excites me, not the people or the situation.

Q

Okay, Zab, thank you very much and good luck in the fight.

Danny, you already talked about your injury, and like I said before, each of the guys you fought, Campbell, Holt, Morales, …, Khan, they all pointed to your inexperience and your father countered that saying that they weren’t as good as they thought they were. What did you learn and how does it kind of, I guess does it motivate you when you hear that kind of talk? Does that bring out the best in you in those fights?

Garcia

I feel like the last fight … they say they had more experience than me; but I feel like none of that matters when I step into the ring, because that don’t matter when you’re getting hit. When you’re getting hit, it don’t matter how much experience you’ve got. Can you take the punch? That’s the only thing that matters. I’m in great shape. I feel like I’m in great shape, I’m focused and I’m doing the right thing. Nobody can beat me. The only person that can beat me is me and that’s like if I go in the ring not at 110% of shape and I’m focused, I’m ready to go; I feel strong and it’s going to be an epic night April 27th.

Q

Your last two knock-out victories over Khan and over Morales, was that a product of your improvement, or was that a focus? What do you attribute those to, because you’d fought Morales, gone the distance with him before, and then Khan was knocked out by you after having you lost to Peterson?

Garcia

I guess I would just say growing as a fighter and getting more confident, believing in yourself and that’s what I do. Every time I step into that ring, I don’t care who it is. I always know that I’m going to win the fight no matter if I’m the underdog or if I’m picked to win. I go in the ring with always knowing I’m a winner and that’s what I bring into the ring every time.

Q

My last question for you is, you know Zab is a great fighter. He’s been a champion five times and he’s fought great fighters. Do you respect his skills and also what does he bring to the ring that does in fact pose a challenge?

Garcia

No doubt you’ve got to respect anybody who puts on gloves. He’s the world champion. It’s not easy to become a world champion in this game, especially with the politics, so anybody who is a world champion you got to give him respect and you got to respect him as a man. I’m never going into the ring not respecting another fighter, because they got two hands just like you got two hands. So any fighter that tells you they don’t respect nobody going into the ring, that’s a lie, because if you don’t respect nobody you’re going to get knocked out underestimating them, so I respect every fighter. I don’t underestimate no fighter. I go into the fight 110% focused and ready and that’s what I’m gonna bring April 27th.

Q

But with Zab specifically, is he any different? He’s a southpaw, he’s also very skilled. Is he any different than the last four or five guys you fought?

Garcia

We’ll just have to see. We’ll have to see. Anything is easier said outside the ring than in the ring, everything that the story will be told April 27th. You can say you’re going to do this, you could say you’re going to do that. I can say he’s different, I can stay he’s faster. I can say he’s more experienced, but we won’t know till we step in the ring.

Q

Danny, what did you see in Zab’s fight with Amir Khan that he could bring up to this fight against you? When you fought Amir, you know how he’s a strong fighter, a quick fighter. What do you see in that fight?

Garcia

It was a good fight. I think speed was a problem for him and he couldn’t keep up with him, but this is a different style fighting. It’s a different style for this fight and it’s going to be an explosive fight.

Q

Zab, how about yourself? You fought Amir … before Danny. Do you use that as a benchmark to see what you can do or what should you do to defeat Danny when the fight comes?

Judah

No, no, I’m a whole different style, a different fighter than Amir Khan is, you know what I mean, so Amir Khan and Danny Garcia, they fight, you know what I mean? I think that means Danny is going to be a whole different type of fight than Amir Kahn and Danny Garcia.

Q

Danny, Zab spoke about the importance for him fighting in Brooklyn in his hometown. There’s a big Hispanic community in New York also. You’re from next door, from Philly. How important is it to you to fight in a big venue like that where you fought Eric Morales in the rematch?

Garcia

I’m happy. I’m very excited because I’m happy that I’m bringing a big fight back to the east coast and a lot of people on the east coast they’re missing out on boxing, because there hasn’t been a lot of big championship fights. So just bringing a big fight back to the east coast for the Puerto Rican fans, the Philadelphia fans, the Brooklyn fans, all the fans in the east coast, that means the world to me, because we’re bringing boxing back in the east today.

Q

Finally, Zab, you’re a multi-new world champion. You’ve been on the top. You know how difficult it can be. You know the pressure that comes from … champion. How do you see that as an advantage for you against a young fighter who’s facing for the first time the superstardom where you’ve been before? Could that be a detriment for him and affect his focus?

Judah

No. I’m preparing for the best of Danny Garcia that can ever be. You know what I’m saying? When I train, you got to understand, I don’t train for a regular Danny Garcia. I train for like my own fight with oh Mike Tyson or somebody … Mohammed Ali. This is who I’m preparing for, you know what I’m saying; so when you prepare and get your mindset at a thing like this, you run into nothing but flying colors. You know what I mean? I mean I’m pretty sure Danny is going to come in there; he’ll come in there swinging his hooks. He’ll start with his right hand and he’s going to come in there doing what he’s got to do. You know what I’m saying? And just super going to be ready. But like I said, this is why the fans, to come on out, get your tickets or tune in live at the TV, get your popcorn and sit down and let’s watch this process.

Q

Hello, Danny. How does it feel for people to question the legitimacy of the injury after it happened?

Garcia

Any time something happens, there’s always going to be a controversy, but I can’t do nothing else to prove it but get ready for April 27th and fight. That’s behind me. I’m looking at the future and now that’s the past and the future is April 27th. I know … everything is going great, no injuries, no nothing and it’s going to be a great night.

Q

Zab, my first question is to you. Pretty much I mean you’re known worldwide. You fought many fighters. Looking at Danny, do you see anything any different in him, or is it just like another boxer?

Judah

No, I mean Danny really you respect him as a champion. You respect the skills that he’s bringing to the table. He has youth on his side. He’s a young fighter, he’s coming in. He’s very excited to be in this position and you know what I’m saying? We know Danny Garcia is going to come in and fight hard, you know what I mean; so you got to take that and just prepare for it. The old man showed you what to do, and that’s …. He showed you what … how to go in there and annihilate these young boys, you know what I mean, and you just got to follow the game plan and follow through. That’s it.

Q

Can you talk to me a little bit about your training process, how have you prepared for this fight?

Judah

The training has been phenomenal, you know what I’m saying? It’s kind of funny; I went to three different training camps. I was supposed to fight Lamar Peterson first, then the first Garcia fight and then now the second training camp, so it allowed me to get a lot in, you know what I’m saying, a lot of good sparring and a lot of good training, and sharpening up my skills. I think as I sit here today I’m really sharp right now and I’m 100% ready and focused and I’m ready to go 12 rounds. Let’s get it on. I just can’t wait now.

Q

You also have elaborated how Brooklyn is your hometown and it’s home field advantage, I guess, something very important for you. Can you elaborate on how important it is fighting in Brooklyn for you?

Judah

It’s somewhat like a basketball game or a sport games or a football game. When you’re home you got the fans behind you, cheering. You got the momentum, you’ve got the energy. You know what I mean? It’s going to be a lot of energy in that building that night and you know what I’m saying. I think most of it is, I think most of it and all of it is going to be on my side, you know what I’m saying, but that’s why I want to fight, you know what I’m saying? … is going there, and showing your skills.

One thing overall, when people say you’re Zab, …, people say Zab wasn’t in condition. Nobody has ever questioned my skill level as a fighter; you know what I’m saying? Everybody said if that Zab Judah we know get in shape and come in there fully prepared and focused 100% like he should, there’s nobody on this planet that can beat him. And I think April is going to show, you know what I’m saying? Like I said, it’s nothing personal against Danny Garcia. It could have been any other fighter in this position. Danny is the champion, and boxing you go for the championship, you know what I’m saying? He got the championship and we’re going to take it. That’s it, you know what I mean? There’s no hard feelings. You know what I’m saying?

Q

And Danny, first of all, I know you don’t speak Spanish. I know every time I’ve interviewed you, it’s always been through your dad, but if you could just tell me first of all, how are you doing after your injury? How are you feeling right now?

Garcia

I’m doing great. I’m 110 percent ready and I’m training hard and we’re four weeks out to the fight. I feel good and I’m ready to go.

Q

What do you want the fans to know from Philadelphia, what do you want everyone, the Latinos, the community here in the southeastern Pennsylvania and around the world pretty much, what do you want everyone to know about your fight coming up?

Garcia

I want them to know, first of all, I want everybody to come out and … Philadelphia … there’s already a whole bunch of people I know that’s going out. I bump into people in traffic when I’m going to the store, anywhere I go, people tell me, hey, I’m going to the fight. I’m going to the fight; I already got my ticket, so already I know I got a lot of support coming from Philadelphia. I’m pretty sure I got fans in New York, the Spanish fans, the hip hop fans, whatever. I know they’re going to come out and they just want to win. It’s a great night and I know I’m going to have the support. I know I’m going to be ready and I know it’s going to be a good night.

Q

Danny. How is your training camp going and who are you sparring with?

Garcia

Training camp is going well. I’ve been sparring with a couple local guys, a couple local guys. I’ve got some new guys coming in today, so we’re doing good. You really don’t have to go that far for work and we live in Philadelphia, especially the everybody brings their best in the gym and everybody is tough in Philadelphia. Some of the best work is in Philadelphia and … We get new guys in today and we’re going to finish our camp with them and be ready for the fight.

Q

Zab, Danny, who are you sparring with to get ready for this fight?

Judah

I have a couple … same way, we got a couple of guys that we flew in and a couple guys from … California. We got a couple local Vegas guys here and you know.

Garcia

And training camp has been phenomenal. You know what I’m saying? As far as sparring, I mean I don’t have-I probably went through multiple trainings, I probably went through a total of ten guys already, you know what I’m saying? So a lot of guys don’t stay in camp long with me so they’re in and out, you know what I mean? Hey, we’re prepared and ready to go for April 27th.

Q

Hey, my first question is for Danny. Danny, Jose Soman made a statement about a month ago, and in the statement he said that you must either choose this organization’s belt, which is WBC, or relinquish your title. Have you made a decision on which belt you’re going to keep?

Garcia

To be honest with you, I don’t know nothing about that. I don’t worry about the policy side. My job is to train for the fight. I’m not worrying about what belt I got to keep going into the ring or the organization is going to restrict me or nothing like that. I’m pretty sure I got this far for this long. He knows how hard I work. He knows the dedication and the fact that … belt, so I’m just go into the ring and defend whatever title that I defend. I don’t really worry about the policy side of the thing and I just train.

Q

And your first training camp for the … fight, you had …, sorry, and he mentioned also in the media that your injury was actually a thumb injury and somehow the rib injury came out later. Can you explain that situation?

Garcia

Well, I guess when I was hurt he didn’t want to tell nobody it was a rib injury. I’m just thinking how he would think just in case I did keep-just in case I did go into the fight, he didn’t want nobody to know that I was probably injured on my rib. But other than that, I want to know why he would lie, but I don’t know.

Q

Okay. And Zab, the last time that you fought in Europe for 140 pound title against a Puerto Rican fighter, the outcome wasn’t so positive. What have you done now to change the outcome for this fight?

Judah

I prepared myself different for these fights. Back then, I was never-I mean I … train … for all those fights, you know I’m saying? But now my focus … is totally different.

Q

And you’re going to be in your hometown Brooklyn for this fight. For everyone in Brooklyn and for everybody in the world-

Judah

And for the record, I only lost to one Latino fighter, that was Cotto. The other ones that I fought I knocked out. Check the record.

Q

No, no, I know. I just said that the last time you fought a 140 pound fighter in New York, that’s what I said. My last question to you is what does it mean for you, what does it mean to Brooklyn for you to come out the victor in this fight?

Judah

It would mean a lot. We’re in Brooklyn; the city needs a great champion. It need somebody to stand up for the city, you know what I’m saying? That’s for my American fans and Latino fans. New York City is New York City is my city, you know what I’m saying, so I have a lot of Latino friends. I have a lot of African-American friends. I have a lot of friends, period. I have a lot of all kind of friends, races, it’s a lot of-I got everybody in my circle. I just think that it’s our problem again; you know what I’m saying? Brooklyn once reined in the early ’80s and the early ’90s with Mike Tyson and now Zab Judah is gonna come back in and take over again. This time we got an arena to represent it.

Q

Danny, you opened up the Barclays Center for boxing this past fall, and there’ll be a lot of fans from Philly making the trip to see you fight. Do you feel like you’ll be fighting at home come April 27th?

Garcia

Yes, definitely. It’s an east coast fight in the east. Philadelphia is right next to New York. There’s a great atmosphere. I think when I fought at the Barclays Center that was one of the best atmospheres I ever fought in. It’s a brand new arena. Everything was nice. The atmosphere was nice. The people are nice out there. I got a lot of love out there and they made me feel like I was at home and I’m looking forward to doing the same thing April 27th.

Q

Okay. Absolutely, it was historical. Okay, there have been some criticism over your last win over an aged Erik Morales, but Zab Judah is a resurrected fighter. Is there anything you feel you need to prove against a seasoned veteran like Zab?

Garcia

I feel like I have nothin’ to prove, I have to just go in the ring and I don’t worry about what nobody say about me; how I fight, the way I fight, fighting older guys and none of that. That’s not my job. My job is not to match make. My job is not to worry about what people think. My job is to train and get ready for a fight and give the fans of boxing a great performance no matter who is it against. That’s my job. And that’s what I’m going to bring into the ring April 27th, a great conditioned Garcia and he’s gonna go in there and do what he does best.

Q

That’s old school right there; I like that. Okay, not to look past Zab, but I know you saw the Rios/Alvarado fight this last weekend. You like to collect title belts these days. What are your thoughts on possibly facing either Rios or Alvarado in the future?

Garcia

As far … I know it was a good fight. It was a good fight for boxing. You don’t stop many fights, I mean they both like to fight and my focus is Zab Judah. Other than that, I really can’t talk about any other fighters. Congratulations to Mike Alvarado. He did his thing and now it’s time for me to do my thing.

Q

All right. Well, we look forward to seeing you do your thing on April 27th. Okay, next questions are for Zab. Zab, you fought in New York on a number of occasions. However, this is the first time you’ll be fighting in your home town, Brooklyn. Do you feel any additional pressure fighting at home for the first time?

Judah

It’s my second fight …

Q

Oh sorry, okay, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know that was actually in Brooklyn. Okay, well, being that you’re going to be fighting in the Barclays Center for the first time, is there any additional pressure fighting there for the first time?

Judah

No, I think it’s going to be great because you get to have your peers finally get to come out and see me fight. A lot of people always was kind of upset because they could never ever get to come to my fight, because it was always in Vegas. All the big ones is in Vegas or other places. I’m saying now they get to take a train or a bus or drive right there and walk and come check out Super Judah, so I think it’s going to be a phenomenal atmosphere and it’s going to be great.

Q

You’ve been around for a long time despite being 35 years old. Do you feel your experience is going to be the key factor in this fight?

Judah

I just think that my mindset is different right now and I know it and I know certain things that I do and choose to do, you know what I’m saying? That my mindset is different. And people always say, the fans have said it for years, is that focus, nobody that can beat him. I think that finally I made it to that peak in life right now.

Q

And one last question, you resurrected your career many times over the years. You’ve stayed in top shape all these years and you still look like you’re in your mid 20s. What are some of the things you have done to help continue your legacy over these years?

Judah

Just hard work, you know what I’m saying? I’ve always been an athlete. Throughout the years, I’ve never been the type of fighter where I’ve never done nothing, I’ve just stopped doing other things, you know what I mean, so I’m always in good shape. I don’t know. Just stay focused. Understand since I was six years old, this is all that I’ve ever done in life; you know what I’m saying? Boxing has only been my only job ever and it’s a job that I love and I take pride in to it. It’s almost a gift and a curse. Sometimes we’re having talents and skills and that allowed me not to train as hard as I should have trained for certain fights, you know what I mean? And I paid the consequences on that. But at times when I did stepped in there and I did put 100% work in, it always came out with flying colors.

Q

Things got a little heated between you guys at your last press conference. How’s the postponement ease the temperaments of the any personal animosity that you guys had?

Judah

Oh no, never, this is all business; you know what I’m saying? Things like that happen. I think what … did was beautiful because it allowed the fans and everybody to take place and to bring the light to the situation; you know what I’m saying? It’s probably something that I needed just to light the candle and the fuse under myself and it was great for boxing. It was great for the sport. As far as animosity or somebody like having like somebody really want to be sad, I mean I’m saying my mother sleeps good at night. I’m pretty sure Danny’s mother does, too, so it’s not. There’s no beef.

Q

Danny, any hard feelings on your camp?

Garcia

I got feelings about this that … no. It was only for everybody to watch me and … fighting it … from the press conference to a great night in boxing and that’s entertainment …. Nobody wants to watch a boring press conference or a boring fight or nobody will watch it. Like I said, they didn’t know, now they know now.

Garcia

I want everybody to come out April 27th. It’s going to be a great night for the Philadelphia fans, the Brooklyn fans, the Puerto Rican fans. I’ll be on my A game and at the end of the fight and still champion of the world, Danny Garcia.

Judah

Yes, it’s going to be a great night of boxing. I just hope all the fans come out or be locked in by the TV if you’re not coming out. Brooklyn is back, keep God first. Anything is possible and … that’s it.

END OF CALL

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

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

For more information on Garcia vs. Judah, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, http://Sports.SHO.com, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BarclaysCenter, @DannySwift, @SuperJudah, @SHOsports, follow the conversation using #BrooklynBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing orwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.




‘Kid Chocolate’ Thunder Set to Explode Apr. 27 WBO Middleweight Champion Peter Quillin 1st Title Defense vs. Fernando Guerrero

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LOS ANGELES (March 26, 2013) – World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KOs) puts his title belt and unbeaten record on the line April 27 in his much-anticipated first world title defense against challenger Fernando Guerrero (25-1, 19 KOs) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Quillin was originally schedule to defend against Guerrero on February 9, however, the entire show was postponed due to an injury suffered by headliner Danny Garcia.

Fighting once again on Showtime Championship Boxing, Quillin vs. Guerrero could steal the thunder from Garcia and his challenger, Zab Judah, as Quillin did last October in the same venue against previously undefeated WBO title-holder Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, who was floored six times and eventually lost a 12-round decision (115-107, 115-107, 115-107), as well as his WBO crown.

The powerful Quillin, who now lives in New York City (Manhattan) but trains for fights in Los Angeles, returns home to fight again in Brooklyn where he lived for several years. “I’m fortunate to have my fight shown around the world through Showtime and to be going back to fight in New York City where I built my name,” Quillin said. “There’s not too much else in my thought process other than working hard to defend my title belt. Everyone will see me at my best on April 27th because every camp is about getting better.

“I love to challenge myself. I look in the mirror and honestly believe nobody can beat me. I still have a lot to improve, though, and I’ve gotten this far fighting through a lot of BS. I take what I do very seriously and anybody can see just that by watching what I put myself through at the gym.”

Cuban-American favorite Quillin has a clear advantage in quality opponents fought compared to the WBO No. 9-rated Guerrero, a southpaw from the Dominican Republic who lives in Salisbury, Maryland. Quillin has defeated world champions N’Jikam and Ronald “Winky” Wright, as well as Craig McEwan, Jesse Brinkley, Fernando Zuniga, Dionisio Miranda and Antwun Echols. Guerrero’s victims include J.C. Candelo, Saul Duran, Ishe Smith, Ossie Duran and Gabriel Rosado. However, Guerrero’s lone loss as a professional boxer was to a then 40-year-old with 12-losses, Grady Brewer, nearly two years ago by way of a fourth-round technical knockout for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF).

“I’m expecting to fight the best Fernando Guerrero,” the 29-year-old Quillin added. “He lost to Brewer but there may have been things going on I don’t know about. I respect him (Guerrero) but, once we step in the ring, things will be different and I won’t have any respect for him, like anybody else I fight. I know he’s coming in the best of shape – he’d better – and we’re going to give fans what they want to see.

“A lot of guys are told early in their careers that they’ll be world champions. All I was ever called when I was young was a juvenile delinquent or criminal. We’ve both overcome struggles. I’m not saying mine were tougher than his. Struggles make better fighters. He has said that I have power and speed, but I have a lot more — I’m good looking and tough with balls. I’ve got the whole package. I want to win this fight as much as my last one.”

For more information about Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin go online to www.TheKidChocolate.com or follow him on Twitter @KidChocolate and Instagram@KidChocolate.




UNBEATEN JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT HUGO CENTENO JR. HAS CAUGHT THE EYE OF WORLD CHAMPIONS PETER QUILLIN & PAULIE MALIGNAGGI AS ONE TO WATCH

NEW YORK (March 6, 2013) – Promising undefeated junior middleweight Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (17-0, 9 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., will make his 10-round debut when he meets KeAndrae “Lightning” Leatherwood (17-2, 10 KO’s), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., in the main event this Friday, March 8, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Fantasy Springs Casino Resort in Indio, Calif.

In the co-feature, promising Puerto Rican, Braulio “Unstoppable” Santos (9-0, 8 KO’s), of Carolina, P.R., puts his unbeaten record on the line against Kevin Hoskins (7-1, 5 KO’s), of Los Angeles, in an eight-round junior lightweight bout.

The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the first bell sounding at 5:15 p.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are available at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

The 6-foot-1½-inch, 22-year-old Centeno, a former amateur standout, will be making his ShoBox and 2013 debut. He has shown steady improvement since turning pro in March 2009 and has impressed not only fans and media but also two current world titleholders he’s sparred with, WBA Welterweight Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi and WBO Middleweight Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin.

Said Malignaggi, who utilized Centeno as a sparring partner about a year and a half ago: “We worked on a few occasions and I actually thought a lot of the kid. He was intelligent with a good head on his shoulders, picked his shots well, possessed good focus in the ring, transitioned well from offense to defense and back and his balance was excellent.

“I’ll be greatly surprised if he isn’t a world champion some day, and I don’t say that about a lot of guys.”

“I was very fortunate to have him as a sparring partner,” said Quillin, who’s sparred upwards of 100 rounds with Centeno. “He’s definitely got it. The ability is there. He does a lot of things well. He has good range on his punches and he knows how to put them together. He likes to turn it up and knows how to do it. He’s been boxing a long time and has a lot of experience.

“He may not be a natural, but he makes it look easy. He did great with the kind of work I wanted in sparring and he always brought out the best in me. Some guys spar for a week and leave, but I always noticed something different about him. If he stays focused and hungry, the sky’s the limit.”

One of the latest rising stars to hail from Oxnard, the ambidextrous Centeno registered six consecutive knockouts at the outset of his career, then won six fights in a row by decision. In his last fight, he scored a seventh-round technical knockout win over Allen Conyers on the Amir Khan vs. Carlos Molina undercard on Dec. 15, 2012 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Centeno scored a knockdown in the first and Conyers did not come out for the seventh.

After fighting twice in 2009 and three times in 2010, the lanky Centeno fought six times in both 2011 and 2012, but he will enter the ring Friday after having nearly three months of rest.

“Actually, I had my longest break for the holidays,” he said. “I took off about two weeks, then got back in the gym. I started the New Year sparring with Peter Quillin, helping him get ready for his next fight, but the fight was postponed. Peter’s hired me to help him for his last three fights because I can fight as a southpaw and stay as a southpaw and I move pretty well.’’

Regarding his upcoming assignment, Centeno, who’s never been dropped as a pro or amateur, says, “I’m always ready to face anything in the ring. I know how to fight as a southpaw, I know how to fight as a righty and I know how to fight on the inside, but the key is the jab because I’m such a lanky fighter.

“They say Leatherwood has quick hands, but my Dad watched a couple of tapes and said he’s a little slower than most 154’s. He fights more at 160 and 168. He’ll fluctuate up and down. He waits a little and tries to get off a strong one-two. He waits for his chance to land that big overhand right, so as long as I box, I should be great, but I don’t underestimate anyone. I train like I’m fighting for a world title. I’ll be ready.”

Centeno is trained by his father, Hugo Sr. In boxing, fathers working with their sons hasn’t always been a ticket to success, but the Russell’s (unbeaten featherweight Gary Jr. and Gary Sr.), and Garcia’s (Danny and Angel) are making it work and, of course, Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be reunited with Floyd Sr. for his fight against Robert Guerrero, who is trained by his father, Ruben, on Saturday, May 4, on SHOWTIME PPV from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

“My Dad’s a full-time coach,” Hugo Jr. said. “He was an amateur boxer and always dreamed of going pro, but he got into a motorcycle accident. I used to watch fights on television with my dad and his brothers and I just loved it. My Dad taught me a little bit about it and I just loved the adrenaline rush that you’d get (from watching). When I turned seven, I told him, ‘Take me to the gym,’ and he took me and I’ve never stopped since. I love it. He started coaching when he started coaching me and he stuck to it.”

Leatherwood, an aggressive-minded 5-foot-10-inch, 24-year-old who resides in Atlanta, is also making his ShoBox and 2013 debut. He went 3-0-1 in 2012 after suffering his lone defeat in his last fight of 2011, his first scheduled 10-round fight which he lost to the son of hard-hitting former World Champion Julian Jackson, John Jackson, via a sixth-round technical knockout. Leatherwood won his last start via a six-round decision over Marcos Primera last Dec. 8.

“I’ve seen a couple of videos on Centeno,” Leatherwood said. “But I really don’t know too much about the guy. I’m just looking at him as my next victim.”

Santos, an outstanding amateur, was a member of the Puerto Rico National team for two years before turning pro in February 2011. An aggressive boxer with excellent punching power, the 5-foot-5½-inch, 23-year-old has won his last three fights by knockout, including a first-round technical knockout win over Terrence Walker in his last fight on Feb. 23.

“My style in the ring is explosive, with bad intentions, because I’m waiting for the big punch,” said Santos, who is fighting in the continental United States for the third time. “I go forward, waiting for my time.”

Hoskins, like Santos, also fought two weeks ago, scoring a first-round knockout win over Eduardo Rivera on Feb. 21. A three-year pro, the 5-foot-5-inch, 22-year-old possesses good skills and movement and a solid punch. He is also one of 16 children, which might explain his fighting prowess.

“I have six sisters and two brothers on my mom’s side, and I have six sisters and a brother on my dad’s side,” he said. “My dad’s kids live in San Francisco. I’m the middle of my mom’s kids, so most of us are out of the house. We grew up in the same house, though. My dad passed away when I was seven. I was raised by my grandmother and grandfather. I’m the only boxer in the family.”

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former World Champion Raul Marquez serving as the expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/HugoBoss805 and www.twitter.com/fantasysprings and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/fantasysprings. For information on SHOWTIME, visit http://Sports.SHO.com, www.twitter.com/SHOsports and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.




Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin heading back to New York City Rollin’ with punches for postponed Guerrero fight

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NEW YORK (January 29, 2013) – His first world title defense has been delayed, due to the postponement of the originally scheduled Showtime Championship Boxing event on February 9, but undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KOs) is rollin’ with the punches and preparing for his April 27th fight against challenger Fernando Guerrero (25-1, 19 KOs) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The Feb. 9 card was postponed because of an injury to Danny Garcia, who is fighting Zab Judah in the main event. Quillin vs. Guerrero remains the 12-round co-feature.

“I’m praying for Danny to get better, as well as for Zab and Guerrero to stay focused,” a disappointed yet understanding Quillin said from Los Angeles where he was training at Wild Card Gym. “I’m praying for Guerrero to stay focused, too, because I’m coming for him on April 27.”

The popular Cuban-American fighter will soon be returning to Manhattan. He knows what’s happened is out of anybody’s control. “This is what I do and things like this happen sometimes in boxing,” he remarked. “You never expect it to but it does happen. I’m just rollin’ with the punches. I’m setting up my schedule for the next 1 ½ months before I go back to camp. I’ll be teaching four classes a week at the Trinity Boxing Club (in Manhattan) for regular people (non-boxers). They want to train with the champ; I want to keep my mind focused and stay sharp by being in the gym.”

Injuries – like it or not – are part of boxing. “It’s very disappointing,” Quillin’s co-manager John Seip commented, “considering the hard work and dedication that goes into preparing for a championship fight like this, not only for my fighter, but for all parties involved. Peter was ready and he had only one week left in camp. Peter lost 18 months due to unforeseen injuries, so he accepts and understands that injuries are part of the game. Danny was a true professional who tried to get through his injury, but Garcia’s team made the right decision. Injuries play a big part in professional athletics and some, like this, are unavoidable. A professional athlete needs to take news like this on the chin, no pun intended, remain focused and move on. It’s the nature of the beast and must be accepted. Peter will be ready April 27th, no doubt.”

Quillin will be the guest of honor as the 2012 Fighter of the Year at another rescheduled event, the 26th annual Ring 8 Awards Dinner, on February 10 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

For more information about Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin go online to www.TheKidChocolate.com or follow him on Twitter @Kid Chocolate and Instagram@KidChocolate.




WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION PETER QUILLIN TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST TOP CONTENDER FERNANDO GUERRERO AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 LIVE ON SHOWTIME

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BROOKLYN (January 11, 2013) – WBO Middleweight World Champion and New Yorker Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin will make his first title defense against Fernando Guerrero in the co-featured bout to the world title clash between Unified Super Lightweight Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia and Brooklyn native Zab “Super” Judah at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, February 9 live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

In addition to Quillin and Garcia, the stars of last October’s inaugural boxing event at Barclays Center will return to the sport’s most popular new venue.

SHOWTIME Extreme will start the televised action with a 10-round junior middleweight bout between Brooklyn’s Dmitriy Salita and Hector Camacho Jr. along with a 10-round middleweight fight featuring boxing’s most inspirational fighter, Brooklyn’s Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, who continues his comeback following a successful battle against cancer against an opponent to be named.

Other undercard fights will feature the New York professional debut of Staten Island’s 2012 United States Olympian Marcus Browne in a four-round light heavyweight fight as well as crowd- pleasing Boyd Melson, whose dedication to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries makes him a true champion, who will fight in a six-round middleweight bout against an opponent to be named.

Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia’s Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, are on sale now and are available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

“We’re happy to be back in Brooklyn with the great main event of Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah and a stacked undercard that has something for every boxing fan, from championship bouts to crossroad fights, to appearances from New York’s best,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “This will be another great night at Barclays Center.”

“The inaugural fight card at Barclays Center last October was a rousing success as we teamed with Golden Boy to bring championship boxing back to Brooklyn for the first time in more than 80 years,” Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark said. “We expect an even more exciting event on February 9, as we continue to offer great title fights while giving emerging New York fighters the opportunity to showcase their talents in Brooklyn’s grandest ring.”

“It’s a great feeling to be back in Brooklyn for my first title defense and I am going to give fans what they are looking for again,” said Quillin. “The crowd at Barclays Center pushed me to another level last October when I won my title and I can’t wait to win for them again on February 9.”

“This is the moment every fighter dreams of and I feel like everything is finally aligned for me to win my first world championship on February 9,” said Guerrero. “Quillin is an exciting, aggressive fighter like me and we’re going to put on a show for the great fans in Brooklyn.”

“It’s a special feeling to be able to fight in my home borough again,” said Jacobs. “This was an extra special holiday season for me and my family. To look back on last October when I had the chance to return to the ring and continue my career was an early Christmas present that no one can ever take away from me. My fight on February 9 gives me the opportunity to continue my championship quest.”

“I love fighting in Brooklyn and to now face Hector Camacho Jr., another legendary New York name, the stakes will be extremely high on February 9,” said Salita. “I look forward to the opportunity and feel confident that I will be victorious that night.”

“It is going to be an exciting, but very emotional night for me on February 9 when I fight at Barclays Center,” said Camacho. “I am fighting for myself, but it will also be a tribute to my dad who was loved throughout all of New York. I plan to honor and represent the family name with a win of Dmitriy.”

“This moment is what I’ve been waiting for since I first started boxing and I just can’t wait to fight,” said Browne. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of my fans and make my hometown debut at Barclays Center. Everyone on Staten Island and in New York City has shown me a tremendous amount of support and I’m ready to put on a great show on February 9.”

With an exciting style and a flair for the dramatic, Quillin (28-0, 20 KO’s), who lives in Manhattan, carried the momentum from his June 2012 win over Winky Wright into Barclays Center on October 20, winning the WBO middleweight title with a six-knockdown performance against previously unbeaten former World Champion Hassan N’Dam. Ready to top that epic win with an encore performance, Quillin will make the first defense of his crown against Guerrero.

Long one of the most popular fighters on the East Coast, Guerrero (25-1, 19 KO’s) took his show on the road in 2012, and with wins over Jason Naugler (TKO 4) in Mexico, Jose Medina (W10) in Las Vegas, and J.C. Candelo (TKO 6) in Texas, he showed the development of his game and his readiness for a world title shot. On February 9, the hard-hitting southpaw gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

Following a harrowing but victorious fight against cancer that kept him out of the ring for over a year, Jacobs (24-1, 21 KO’s) returned to action on October 20 and scored an emotional first-round knockout win over Josh Luteran. In December, the 25-year-old Jacobs halted tough Chris Fitzpatrick in five rounds and he expects similarly positive results in his next bout at Barclays Center.

One of New York’s most popular fighters, Salita (35-1-1, 18 KO’s) is ready for another world title shot and a win over Camacho Jr. on February 9 will move him one step closer. A decision winner over Brandon Hoskins at Barclays Center last October, the 30-year-old Salita aims to keep his five fight-winning streak and his championship dreams alive with a win over Camacho Jr.

The son of the late, great “Macho” Camacho, Hector Camacho Jr. (54-5-1, 29 KO’s) will undoubtedly be looking to leave an impression and score a victory in his father’s home city on February 9. The winner of 11 of his last 13 bouts, the 16-year veteran of the sport has been waiting for an opportunity like this in the Big Apple. In his first local bout since 2001, the 34-year-old from San Juan can’t wait to hear the bell ring.

A member of the 2012 United States Olympic team, Marcus Browne (2-0, 2 KO’s) proudly represented Staten Island in London, and now that he’s back home, he’s ready to impress his growing number of fans. Undefeated in his two fights as a pro, the 22-year-old southpaw dispatched of both Codale Ford and Ritchie Cherry in his first two bouts.

31-year-old middleweight Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson (10-1-1, 4 KO’s) got a scare from underrated Jason Thompson at Barclays Center last October when he hit the deck early in the bout, but the talented and resilient Army veteran battled back to earn a six-round draw in one of the most exciting fights of the night. On February 9, the New Yorker vows to leave the ring victorious in a six-round middleweight fight.

Opponents for Jacobs, Browne and Melson will be announced shortly.

Opening the event will be two four-round bouts featuring Manhattan junior welterweight Zachary Ochoa (3-0, 3 KO’s) and Philadelphia bantamweight Miguel Cartagena (5-0, 3 KO’s) who will both compete against opponents to be named.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.barclayscenter.com, http://Sports.SHO.com, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BarclaysCenter, @DannySwift, @SHOsports, follow the conversation using #BrooklynBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

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Located atop one of the largest transportation hubs in New York City, Barclays Center is accessible by 11 subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, and 11 bus lines.




26th annual Ring 8 Holiday Event & Awards Ceremony rescheduled Feb. 10 in New York

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NEW YORK, NY (Dec. 19, 2012) – The 26th annual RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon (12:00-5:00 p.m. ET), February 10 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Damage from Hurricane Sandy to Russo’s On The Bay forced the event’s postponement from December 9 to Feb. 10.

A star-studded group of past and present world champions and industry dignitaries will be in attendance. Steve Farhood will serve once again as Master of Ceremonies and Dave Diamante will announce the award winners.

Ring 8 has announced its 2012 award winners (see full list below), including new World Boxing Association middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (Fighter of the Year), Joe Calzaghe (Fighter of the Year), and Bernard Hopkins (Lifetime Achievement),

“Our members really look forward to this gala event every year,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “Some of the biggest names in boxing will be honored as we proudly continue our record for lending a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate, some requiring assistance towards paying their rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need. Each year our Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony celebrates our great sport of boxing, insuring much-needed funding is raised so we may continue our mission for our needy brothers and sisters in boxing. We will never waver from their corners. We had to wait a little longer this year because of Hurricane Sandy, but I’m confident it’ll be another knockout Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony.”

Committed celebrity boxing attendees include world champions Bobby Czyz, Virgil Hill, Iran Barkley, Vito Antuofermo, and Matthew Saad Muhammad, as well as Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Tommy Gallagher, Michael Bentt, Harold Lederman, and Earnie Shavers.

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2012 RING 8 Award Winners

Fighter of the Year: Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin

Fighter of the Decade: Joe Calzaghe

Uncrowned Champion: David Sears

Coach of the Year (FDNY): Bob McGuire

Coaches of the Year (NYPD): Pat Russo & Dave Seiv

Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernard Hopkins

Official of the Year (Referee): Eddie Claudio

Official of the Year (Judge): John Signorile

Boxing Writer of the Year: Mike Woods

Long & Meritorious Service: Ron McNair

Man of the Year: Frankie Russo Jr.

Prospects of the Year: Floriano Pagliara & Joe Smith

Comeback of the Year: Adam Willett

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Last year’s Ring 8 award winners included the now late, great Emanuel Steward, who was honored as Trainer of the Decade, as well as 2008 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne, the Amateur Boxer of the Year.

Tickets, priced at $125.00 per person, are available to purchase by calling 1.718.729.4862, emailing DepComish@aol.com or mailing checks (payable to Ring 8) to Tony Mazzarella, C/O Waterfront Crab House, 2-03 Borden Ave., Long Island, NY 11101. Donations of any denomination are welcome for those unable to attend the festivities.

Tickets include a complete brunch with cocktail hour upon entry, seating at the awards ceremony, dinner and dessert, and top-shelf open bar throughout the afternoon. There will also be a silent auction of boxing memorabilia. This event is expected to sell-out and everybody is urged to purchase tickets as soon as possible in order to secure favorable seating. Boxing and sports memorabilia will be on display.

Program ads are available for Full Page ($150.00), Half-Page ($80.00), and Quarter-Page ($50.00). The deadline for all ads is January 25 and must be emailed (DepComish@aol.com) or mailed to Bob Duffy (516.313.2304), 164 Lindbergh St., Massapequa, NY 11762.

Go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about Ring 8 or its annual Holiday Events and Awards Ceremony.

Russo’s On The Bay is located at 162-45 Crossbay Blvd. in Howard Beach (718.843.5055).

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

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

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




Grantland Premieres Digital Short on Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin


Grantland’s THE BRINK: Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin is an inside look at one of boxing’s most promising and charismatic figures. Our cameras follow Quillin, who overcame dire poverty as a child to become the undefeated #1 middleweight contender, on the most important night of his life: his first world title shot, at the Barclays Center in his adopted hometown of Brooklyn.

This is the first in director Jason Hehir’s short film series for Grantland chronicling the moment when a rising athlete/artist breaks through onto the big stage.

View this digital short at: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8706536/peter-kid-chocolate-quillin-first-title-fight

**Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin is available for interviews, as is director Jason Hehir**




WBO title only the beginning for new World Middleweight champion Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin


NEW YORK (October 25, 2012) – Last Saturday night’s show-stealing, world title- winning performance on Showtime Championship Boxing was only the beginning for new World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KOs).

Quillin dropped defending champion and previously undefeated Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (27-1, 17 KOs) six times en route to a spectacular 12-round triumph, receiving scores of 115-107 from all three judges.

Born in Chicago and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the charismatic Cuban-American returned to Brooklyn, where he once lived for four years, and became the first American-born fighter to be world middleweight champion since Kelly Pavlik lost to Sergio Martinez in 2010.

“It was great putting on a performance like that for the fans at Barclay Center,” said Quillin, who now lives in Manhattan but trains at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. “All my hard work paid off. It was a great show. People saying I stole the show, well, that’s a blessing. I proved that I can perform like that, given the chance, in a championship fight. I beat a world champion who had an undefeated, identical record as mine.”

Five of the six punches he decked N’Dam with were left hooks and Quillin finished strong by flooring his opponent twice in the final round. “I’ve always had a good left hook,” Quillin noted. “People may not have noticed it before, but it’s another tool in my tool box.

“I always have confidence in my skills and working with (strength-and-conditioning coach) Brad Bose and my nutritionist, Robert Garcia, conditioning was never my concern. I went 12 hard rounds and felt strong right to the end.”

Quillin is a throwback fighter in the sense that he’ll take on anybody put in the ring with him, provided Team Chocolate (Golden Boy Promotions, adviser Al Haymon, co-managers John Seip and Jim McDevitt and trainer Eric Brown) signs off. His next opponent could be a fellow world champion, former world title-holder, hot prospect, or top 10-ranked contender.

“It’s important to be surrounded by a group of people, like Team Chocolate, that believes in me and is always there to help,” added Quillin, who admits winning the world title hasn’t completely sunk in yet. “I trust my team to come-up with my best option. My job is to be ready for whatever happens and keep coming out victoriously. We’ll see how things play out. I’ll defend my title and come out of my next fight as a winner, just like I always have been. I’m not going to get big headed about this. I’m going to pick-up my work ethic even more and stay hungry.

“I have an X on my back now. Life has already started to change a little, but that comes with the territory as world champion. Now that I am world champion, I guess I need to re-evaluate my goals; I want to win more titles and become a household name.”

Capturing the WBO crown was only the beginning for “Kid Chocolate.”

For more information about Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin go online to www.TheKidChocolate.com or follow him on Twitter @Kid Chocolate and Instagram@KidChocolate.




BARCLAY CENTER FIGHTERS AT THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE PHOTO GALLERY

15rounds.com Photographer Claudia Bocanegra was present at the famed Brooklyn Bridge where fighters from this Saturday’s historic fight card at the Barclay Center took part in a photo shoot under the Bridge. The fight will feature four world title bouts and will be shown Live on Showtime
CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE




PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, PABLO CESAR CANO, HASSAN N’DAM & PETER QUILLIN MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT


Kelly Swanson
Okay, thanks so much, everybody, for joining us. And again, here we are in our second back-to-back international media conference call for October 20th world title fight extravaganza, the inaugural night of boxing from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and it will be televised live on Showtime. So we’re going to do similar to what we did yesterday, joining us now is Hassan N’Dam, the WBO Middleweight World Champion; and Peter Quillin, the number one rated WBO Middleweight contender, and then after they’re done we will be joined by Paulie Malignaggi and Pablo Ceasar Cano. And I’m going to turn the call over now to Robert Diaz, who will make the formal comments before we open it up to the fighters. Robert?

Robert Diaz

Thank you very much, Kelly, and thanks to everybody for being on this call. To the four fighters, I thank you for taking the time. October 20th, Brooklyn, after 80 years since their last world title fight it’s back at the Barclays, a brand new stadium.

We’re very excited, four world title fights, plus a great line-up on the under card: former World Champion, Luis Collazzo; undefeated rising Junior Middleweight star, Eddie Gomez; former World Title contender from Brooklyn Dmitriy Salita and of course a young prospect Boyd Melson. Four world title fights in one night. The main event: Danny Garcia against Erik Morales and Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi defending his title against Pablo Cesar Cano. And we have right now with us the current World Champion, Hassan N’Dam, and the number one and undefeated, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin.

We’re very excited. We’re very happy to be bringing this to you. I want to thank them our sponsors Corona, Dewalt Tools, and AT&T. And of course this is on Showtime Championship Boxing, top level boxing. Tickets are still available for $300, $200, $100, and $50, and they’re available for purchase at BarclaysCenter.com and ticketmaster.com.

At this moment I’d like to introduce to you the number one, undefeated, 27-0, 20 knockouts, from Manhattan, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin. Peter, would you like to say an opening statement, please.

Peter Quillin

Yes, I want to thank you all for having me on this media call. It’s a pleasure. I just left the gym working out, getting a hard day of workout so I’ll be able to give you all aggressive answers for your questions, and I’m very blessed to be here. Thank you to Golden Boy, and Al Haymon and my management.

Diaz

Also with us on this call is the current WBO Middleweight World Champion, undefeated as well, two undefeated fighters putting it on the line, Hassan N’Dam.

Hassan N’Dam

I am very happy to come to New York, in Brooklyn, and for this big show with a very big fight. I am just very happy. I am not concerned about fighting in the United States because I am the champion and I am sure of myself. I think it will be a great fight against Peter Quillin.

Q

Hey, Peter. Just a general question to you, you’re going to be fighting in Brooklyn, a historic night. Paulie Malignaggi said growing up in Brooklyn that he always wanted to fight in Madison Square Garden, and he got that opportunity, but it’s even more important to be on the first boxing match at Barclays, which he hoped years from now people will look at as sort of a boxing Mecca. From your standpoint, is it important for you as an undefeated fighter to win a title and perhaps go down in history as making a mark for boxing in your town?

P. Quillin

I believe that is the case. I’m carrying the name of a ring legend, “Kid Chocolate,” who was originally from Cuba, who transported himself to New York City and became one of the biggest draws in New York City. Now, I’ve made myself a big name in New York and I’m working very hard, very, very hard, and being part of this historic event is a blessing in disguise. I’m now all about working on my legacy and my name in boxing, so yes, I would say making myself a champion in Brooklyn is my first start to that.

Q

It’s such a big night being in one of four championship bouts, do you feel any pressure, any intimidation to be among names on this card?

P. Quillin

But this pressure would not get to me fighting in Brooklyn. I’ve been in guys’ backyard and was the underdog. I’ve been the underdog since the beginning and always had to prove myself. But this time it’s just all about the same kinds of things that I’m used to, so there’s no pressure at all. I’m 27-0, with 20 healthy knockouts, and I’m very blessed with that, so this fight right here is going to dignify me as the champ that I want to be.

Q

Saturday night is your first world title chance. I know you’ve been waiting on it. How nervous are you going into the fight next Saturday night?

P. Quillin

I had one of the best camps ever in this camp, because this is my moment right here. This is my challenger. And I have to have no doubts about myself, about my skills going into the ring October 20th to win my title. This is my title. This is a showcase for me, “Kid Chocolate.” This is not about Hassan. As you can tell, he’s on the phone talking, and then you know a little disrespectful, but to be a champ you have to be very respectful and I’m respectful of the champ, but come October 20th all the respect is gone.

Q

You mentioned the historical aspect of the use of the name, “Kid Chocolate.” At the end of October 20th, if you’re the new World Champion where do you see yourself in the middleweight class there?

P. Quillin

When I win my first world title it was going to be up to Golden Boy, Al Haymon, and my management, to bring the best opportunities my way. I let the fans label me what they want. I ask myself every day before training, I look in the mirror and I look deep in my eyes and I ask myself who’s going to value you more than you’re going to value yourself. And if the answer is nobody, but I’ll usually answer the question after I get done work, so I think my hard work takes me beyond the sky. The sky is not the limit. I think I can go beyond the sky with the hard work that I’m willing to put into boxing.

Q

After October 20th, if you win, do you see yourself in a fight with Sergio Martinez in 2013?

P. Quillin

Animals don’t think about who they’re going to fight against. That’s what I do. You put me in the pit, I’m in there with anybody.

Q

Hassan, how do you feel about fighting in Brooklyn and whether or not you will be able to keep your belts in Quillin’s backyard?

H. N’Dam

I understand. I have great respect and I respect all of my opponents. I am undefeated and I will remain undefeated on October 20. The fight is in Brooklyn and that is not a problem for me. Quillin can fight in Brooklyn in front of all of his fans and all of his friends, but when he steps into that ring, he will be alone. I will win and remain undefeated and keep the title.

Q

Hassan, you talked a little bit about fighting in Brooklyn. This will be of course your first fight in the United States, your first fight really out of France, and you’re fighting of course in one of the biggest, most historic cities, New York City. Do you feel added pressure fighting in New York City? Do you feel added pressure with your first fight outside of France? And how long have you been in the United States to become acclimatized, to become accustomed to the difference in temperature, work atmosphere, etc.

H. N’Dam

I came to the United States for the first time in my life, and he fight before an amateur and he make one fight in his professional career outside of his country. I have, no pressure, because for me to come in United States is the beginning of the new story, of the new adventure for me, because I am coming to the United States to win this fight and begin the new adventure in the United States.

Q

Okay. Thank you, gentlemen. And I have a question for Peter. Peter, you have a great background story, you know the kid off the street working three jobs at one time, struggling with your boxing career and finally making it almost to the top, where you’re at now. But you also have a strong faith in God and you talk a lot about God when you say thank you to people, when you talk about your career. Talk a little bit about your faith in God, how he provides you your substance when you’re in the ring.

P. Quillin

Well, I think for every fighter, a fighter fights with his personality. And I think with me I fight with all my heart, I fight with all my faith in God, meaning … in my heart, in my mind, I feel like I’m especially touched by God. It’s the reason why I’ve been through all of what I’ve been through and I never gave up through all that and I never came off and lost focus. Like the Book of Job, Job went through so much in his life where he never gave up, he never questioned his belief in God, so with this fight right here I think I’m going to let people know that I was born in Chicago, I was born to a Cuban immigrant, then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. My dad went to prison for seven years, and at the age of 18 I moved out of where my comfortabilities all were and moved to New York City with no family and started to prepare yself, keeping my faith in God through all this, sleeping on floors, doing whatever it takes to get to this point in my life right now. I look at Hassan, and I hear what he’s saying, he’s coming to here, but he’s so used to fighting in his backyard, his own home, where he doesn’t know how it feels to go to other places and conquer all places.

Like I said, my journey is not done. I went from New York City to California, where I was in the Wild Card Boxing Club, and I had to keep myself and make sure that I knew exactly what it was about, and it was all about me. It was not about anybody else, besides myself and what God is trying to do, and allow me to do. He loves winners. Winners are allowed to reach people, so me, through my story and being able to let people know that yes, I’m a boxer, I go in the ring and I fight physically, but everybody’s a fighter, in my opinion, anybody that goes and wants to be a writer, they try to be the best writer, so you’re fighting to be the best writer, or the promoters, you want to fight to be the best promoter.

So regardless I think the fight is in all of us, and in some of us we really don’t know, but I think the fight is in all of us. And I think Hassan is going to have to really dig deep in his heart to know that he’s coming to my backyard where one of the biggest, this is historic, this is historic not just for me but this is historic for him and also for the state of boxing and the state of Brooklyn, and the state of the U.S. Here I’m the best middleweight in the U.S. right now, do you know what I’m saying, so he’s going to need to come in, and like I said, and being a challenger to what we have to offer for him over here. And if he wants to be a winner, he’s got to understand that comes with a lot. That’s also coming with him learning English and being able to speak to the fans and being able to be out there and not just say you’re coming over here and this is your journey. Your journey is to inspire people, and that’s what “Kid Chocolate” is doing.

So I’m just letting you know, come October 20th you’re going to see a lot of personality in the ring. I don’t fight one way, so when guys get ready for me in one kind of fashion, one kind of way, I fight in different ways to my game.

Q

One thing I noticed when the fight was announced, you had a lot of other fighters, a lot of lower tier fighters in the other weight classes around your weight class throw a little hate towards you, saying you didn’t deserve a title fight so early in your career. How do you react to other fighters who say that about your opportunity?

P. Quillin

Well, I can say this, it’s negative and positive energy. Negative motivation is positive motivation. And positive motivation is, “Good job, Peter. We want to see you do the best.” And it’s the negative, “Oh, you can’t do it.” I use both as motivation for me. It’s motivation. For a guy that just came out of nowhere and to just be on top of his game, you’ve got to give some kind of credit to a guy like that. And the people that work Golden Boy, Al Haymon and my managers, all I do is keep my eyes on the prize.

I think N’Dam is more anxious to watch American TV, because it sounds like he’s got the TV playing in the background. When it comes to October 20th, Hassan, you’re not going to be passing the Grey Poupon, you’re going to be passing my belt over for me.

You’re going to be passing my belt around, homie. You’re not going to be passing the Grey Poupon you’re going to be passing my belt.

R. Diaz

All right, guys, thanks a lot to both of you for taking the time. See you guys out there next week.

Perfect. Thank you, everybody, once again. Well, it’s the second day of our two press conference calls that we’ve had and obviously one of the top fights that we have is a world title fight, WBA Welterweight Champion, Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi returning to Brooklyn, New York, his home, defending his title against the always dangerous current world champion, WBA as well, Interim Champion at Super Lightweight, making another step up, Pablo Ceasar Cano, with a record of 26-1-1 and 20 knockouts.

First, let me introduce, to make some opening statements, the challenger, Pablo Ceasar Cano.

P. Cano

I want to thank everybody very much for being here. It’s a great honor to be on this call with you. I want to thank all the press and say hello, and I’m ready to go.

R. Diaz

And now “The Magic Man.” returning to Brooklyn with a record of 31-4, 7 Knockouts, currently the WBA Welterweight Champion, Paulie Malignaggi. Paulie?

P. Malignaggi

Hey, what’s up, guys? I’m ready to go too, so I guess that makes two of us. I have worked hard and I have definitely been looking forward to the opening of the Barclays Center for two years, ever since I signed with Golden Boy Promotions. So it feels good that it’s getting closer, it feels good that the moment is almost here, and I look forward to putting on a good show.

Q

A question for you, your last fight was probably the most aggressive fight in your entire career. You came out there and you had a knockout. Do you have that same sense going into that fight as well?

P. Malignaggi

You know, the last fight I didn’t really look to go for the knockout, it kind of just came. But that’s how I approach every fight. We’ve been working on a little bit more aggression in the gym with Eric Brown. I’ve always been a guy that had good legs and has been able to use my legs, but also develop an arsenal as far as things we can do to come forward as well and it will make me that much more of a well-rounded fighter. I just felt like I was able to step on the gas a little better when I needed to I can box when I need to, but if I need to come forward, if I start seeing my opponent weakening and I need to come forward, we can do that as well, or if there’s a lack of aggression on my opponent’s part I’ll be the one to come forward. I like to just be well-rounded. I like to have options. And the things we’ve been working on in the gym really give me those options, I can fight going forward and I can fight going backward and it’s a good thing for me.

Q

I noticed one thing about you since you lost to Amir Khan, that you started to use the right jab more and more. Is that the key to victory now.

P. Malignaggi

The right cross, you mean? Yes, it’s always been a situation for me where I haven’t had healthy hands, especially the right hand. I’ve always had a pretty good right hand, it’s just I haven’t been able to use it all that much consistently because I’ve broken it a lot. But it just happened to be that in the past couple of years it’s been healthy, it’s been good, and really if I’ve got healthy hands I can use them both, and when I can use them both it just makes me that much more dangerous.

Q

How does it feel to come back home?

P. Malignaggi

It feels great. It feels great, man. This is one of the main reasons I was happy to sign with Golden Boy two years ago, that I could be a part of this show and I could be a part of this event on a big stage in a big fight. And I was glad I did my job and Golden Boy did a tremendous job bringing me back, and now the moment is here and I’m ecstatic for it.

Q

All right, we’ll talk about that later. But listen, life is good for you right now, you’re getting ready to fight at Barclays Center and you’ve expressed to me how important to you to leave your mark in what could become boxing in the future, to have your name as one of the first people to fight here in your own hometown. You’re just coming off a really big, rejuvenating knockout in your career and you have these other things going on outside of boxing, so life is good, really. Can you talk about what all is going on positive in your life as opposed to some of the down times in your career.

P. Malignaggi

Yes, you know it’s funny when you surround yourself with positive people and you have a positive vibe around you and positive energy, so to speak, positive things happen. I haven’t always surrounded myself with the best people, at least the best people for me, and I’m not just talking about business, I’m talking on a personal level, you know, I haven’t always had such great people around me all the time. And I think that that black cloud can follow you around in the energy you surround yourself with.

I’ve just had a positive base for the past couple of years. After I lost to Amir Khan, it’s funny because the negative people, they eliminate themselves, you know. When you have a big loss like that you find out that negativity just kind of leaves you on its own because they don’t want to be around you unless they can grub off you, so it’s funny how they eliminated themselves and then things started turning around for me. And it feels really good that things are turning around for me, it feels really good that there’s a lot of positive things going on for me inside the ring and outside the ring. And it’s also funny when those same negative people try to squeeze their way back in the circle, and you kick them in their ass and kick them right back out.

Q

What does it say about you that you said to me before your last fight, you said to me, you don’t have to fight anymore, you’ve made investments. If you wanted to, you could walk away. What does it say to you about you, personally to yourself and to your fans, that you went to another country in a high risk fight, where a lot of people counted you out, and you scored an uncharacteristic knockout with a referee who uncharacteristically had to stop the fight?

P. Malignaggi

Yes. I think a lot of the talk about me being finished was overrated. A lot of the things that people say about me, the negative press is that I’m overrated, but in the end I think if you look, since I lost the Ricky Hatton fight I’ve had one bad performance in four years, and that was when I lost to Amir Khan. In the four years since I lost to Ricky Hatton one bad performance. The year I lost, Ricky Hatton had three bad performances, all in the same year. And I told everybody, do you know what, I just need to make a change and I’m going to be all right. And you know what, four years have passed and I’ve had one bad performance in four years. That’s not too bad.

I think the only thing that was overrated was what people were saying about me being finished and not having a bright future left and having my better days behind me and whatnot, because if you look at since the Ricky Hatton fight, beside that Amir Khan fight I barely lost any rounds. And I’m continuing to be dominant and I think it’s a testament to my mental strength, my mental fortitude and to my stubbornness, even.

Q

Are you a hungry fighter now, that’s number one. And are you a better fighter now than perhaps you have been in your career, and if so, in what way?

P. Malignaggi

I think I’m a better fighter because I’ve learned a lot of things and I’ve got a great team. And I think that makes me a better fighter. When you learn from your mistakes and … yourself with a great team and great people around you, I think that makes you a better fighter. The one regret is I didn’t have it around me when I was 25 or 26, because I think I would have been a monster, and I think I underachieved in that way. Better late than never, and even if I am 31, almost 32, I feel really good, and a lot of it has to do with the team I have around me and the people I have around me. They are positive and everybody working and doing their job, and I can do my job with less headaches. It really is a testament, again, to my stubbornness and to my mental fortitude.

I’d say I’m hungry, because I have a lot to prove, not so much to anybody else but more to myself. I feel like I underachieved a lot so I need to prove a lot more to myself. And as a world champion you have to stay hungry, because there are people coming for you, and I know my opponent is very hungry, he’s young and he’s got a bright future in front of him, but in order to make title defenses against a guy like this, you have to remain hungry yourself, and I’m very hungry.

Q

Last question for you, Paulie. This is a really tough game, it’s a game where one shot could change your life. You’re a guy who speaks well, you’re a guy who when you did your Showtime commentary people just loved it. Why are you still fighting? I’m just playing devil’s advocate, why keep fighting?

P. Malignaggi

I’ll tell you what, I don’t plan on fighting that much longer, but the reason I’m still fighting is because, again, like I said on the last question, I have a lot to prove to myself. I feel like I underachieved during my prime years. And even though it may not be my prime years, I feel like I have the best team around me and I’m surrounding myself with the best people around me, and so that gives me the chance to do the best that I can do right now. And I’m curious to see just what I can do when I have this great support system around me so that I can work so hard and know that my hard work will pay dividends, and that everybody else’s hard work is paying dividends.

I continue to fight because I stay hungry. I stay hungry because I have a lot to prove to myself because I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve. I’m a two-time World Champion, but I had so many more goals that I had set out for myself when I turned pro, and I’m probably not going to achieve them all, because there’s just too many and there’s not enough time, but I just want to achieve as much as I can before I call it a night.

Q

Pablo, this is obviously a big opportunity and a great opportunity for you. How has the preparation been and how do you see your fight with Paulie unfolding?

P. Cano

This is the best preparation I have ever had. I repsect Paulie tremendously, but I also feel that my youth, my strength, my motivation and my preparation will guide me to win and if I want bigger fights, I have to win this fight to go on to bigger and better fights.

Q

A question for you, is you’ve had now a couple fights how do you think moving up to welterweight, has that affected your game in a positive way or maybe in a negative way?

P. Malignaggi

Oh, I don’t think there’s really been any negatives. I don’t think I had a choice, really. I couldn’t make 140 pounds anymore. I could make it, but at the expense of having energy to fight, so really what would be the point? I think there’s only been positives, because there was nothing left. I mean, remaining at 140 pounds, I was a skeleton of myself. So the only option was to move up to Welterweight, the next weight class up from Junior Welterweight. I may not be the biggest Welterweight, but at the same time there was no other option, really.

Q

And the other question is, the fans in Brooklyn, what kind of party do they expect after you win?

P. Malignaggi

I take it one step at a time. I’m from New York so there’s a lot of parties going on, and I’ll be involved in a lot of them, but the focus remains on Cano and the focus remains on winning before thinking about any parties. Obviously, you want to look good and win in your hometown and put on a festive atmosphere for them, so that everybody can celebrate afterwards, but the focus for me is on winning the fight first.

Q

And lastly, I know you said that you don’t plan on fighting for much, much longer. Is there any eye on the prize or certain fighters that you’re looking at down the road after this fight that you wouldn’t mind challenging and taking on in the near future?

P. Malignaggi

Again, I don’t want to overlook Cano. I think all the focus has to be on him because he’s so hungry and ready and motivated. But, yes, afterwards if everything goes well here like the plan is, then, yes, the Welterweight division is packed with talent. There’s just so much going on in the Welterweight division that, like even Cano said, to get to the other big fight you’ve got to win this fight, and the same applies for me, really. In order to get to the other big fight I’ve got to win this fight. So the focus remains Cano, but obviously any top Welterweights in the world. I’m blessed and fortunate to be involved in a weight class with so much talent and there can be a lot of mixing and matching of styles and fights.

Q

You were very young, what did you learn from the loss with Erik Morales? You were very young when you fought him, but that must have given you some experience and now you’re still young and now fighting for your second world title, and what does it feel like coming in as the underdog against Paulie Malignaggi?

P. Cano

I learned a lot. As you said, I’m still very young, but I have a lot of experience. I learned a lot from the fight with Erik Morales, and that experience is what I’m bringing. I have a lot of talent, I have a lot of strengths, I’m very motivated, and that’s what I’m bringing to this fight.

Q

Have you watched videos of Paulie Malignaggi and his losses, have you learned anything in those losses, with the Hatton’s, with the Khan in those losses is there anything you picked up

P. Cano

I’ve seen a little bit of footage. There’s not too much on the Internet that I’ve been able to obtain. But we have seen a few and worked on some things in the gym. But at the end of the day that goes out the window because what unfolds inside the ring might not be what you’re preparing for. So I’m very confident in my team, in the work we’ve done, that once we step into the ring and start working on our adjustment, to make an adjustment in our plan, that you will see a very good fight and we will be victorious come October 20th.”

Q

I’m going to ask both fighters a question. Pablo, I remember the fight that you did have against Erik Morales was a very brave fight. I remember when your corner stepped in to stop the action at the end of the 10th round, you were bleeding from your eyes, and I also recall that you were a last minute replacement too for Lucas Matthysse for the fight. In that fight I know you commented already that you did learn a lot from it, but taking away and looking at Erik Morales himself, he’s on the card, do you have a lot of solidarity, do you gain a lot of faith with a champion like Erik Morales being on the card, a fellow countryman?

P. Cano

Oh, definitely it’s very motivating to be fighting. We fought, we were rivals in the ring, but outside the ring we’re friends. And, yes, I have a great honor to be fighting alongside with Erik Morales. And first, God willing, Mexico is going to take both victories that night.

Q

Thank you, Pablo, and good luck. Paulie, everybody writes you off. Every time you lose a fight, you come back, you reinvent yourself, and now here you’re at 147 pounds and you’ve got Ricky Hatton coming back into the ring. Are you looking for a possibility of you and Ricky having a rematch and getting some revenge?

P. Malignaggi

Well, obviously you can’t help but think about that kind of stuff when you get called about it, people calling you and asking you questions about it, so obviously how can I say the fight wouldn’t interest me. But again, like I said before, if I don’t get by Cano none of that’s possible, so the focus remains, from here until next Saturday, on Pablo Cesar Cano and then more discussions can follow about Ricky Hatton and so on and so forth. But really I’m motivated and totally focused on Pablo Cesar Cano at the moment.

Q

You know, Paulie, you’re probably one of the most popular boxers in New York City, and definitely you’re magical on TV, is there anywhere you can go that people don’t know who you are in New York City?

P. Malignaggi

Yes, yes, of course. I’m not Brad Pitt. But, you know –

Q

Pablo, when you fought Erik Morales you were moving up in weight at that time and it was a brawl. Now, you’re moving up in weight and you’re fighting a guy who it appears has more power than he’s had ever, at least he seems to have found some, and you’re fighting a mover, is the moving up in weight, does he see that as being a problem, and how is he going to account for Paulie’s movement?

P. Cano

We’ve been working very hard in the gym preparing for this, obviously working on strengthening and conditioning to add the additional weight, but also with the sparring, the adequate sparring and mobility and movement so we can be breaking him down round by round as the fight goes on. We’ve been working on this for the last couple of months, but obviously it’s something that has to unfold on October 20th, the night of the fight.

Q

I notice that you stopped Fidel Matorato Muniz two fights ago with a body shot. They say kill the body and the legs will follow, how critical is a body shot in your training and in your strategy?

P. Cano

It’s fundamental in a fight to work to the body from the beginning, to break him down, as you mentioned, and not only to the body. We’re going to start from the first round not only with body work, we’re going to work very hard with a variety of punches so we can minimize Paulie and eventually take the win, and win the fight.

Q

What did you take away, I’m assuming you watched his last fight where he scored the knockout, what did you take away from that fight, because that probably is the defining performance. And I know trainers say they want to watch the best fighter that they’re going to face and that was probably his defining performance and I want to know what you took away from that.

P. Cano

Yes, I did see the fight. And, as you mentioned, he’s very fast, or as you mentioned, he looks much stronger than he had in the past in other fights, and it was a brilliant performance. But I want to remind you that I am a Mexican warrior and on October 20th I’m ready for war. If he wants to box, I’ll box. If he wants to go toe-to-toe I’m ready to go toe-to-toe. But one thing I do know is I’m going to win and take the title back to Mexico.

Q

No question you’re a warrior. I saw your last fight. My final question is, boxing him, that’s going to be interesting to see because I know he’s going to be crafty. He’s also going to have the crowd behind him and I want to know, you’ve had three knockouts in your last three fights, do you think you need to get a knockout to win, or do you think you can win the decision?

P. Cano

No, I don’t want to pressure myself looking for one punch, looking for the knockout. I’m confident in the work that we’ve done, in the preparation that we’ve done, and I’m going to work round per round, and one thing I’m for sure is the work that we’ve put in. And I’m just going to go in there and do my best and know that my best is going to win the fight.

Q

Paulie, the last question for you. You heard him say if he wants to box he’ll box. When you hear that what are your thoughts? Do you see any evidence that he can box with you, or how do you see him coming at you?

P. Malignaggi

I don’t think he’s a bad boxer. I thought he was actually out-boxing Morales at the beginning of the fight when they fought. He’s got a good little technique going for himself, so I don’t think he’s a terrible boxer. But obviously I anticipate some pressure. He’s a Mexican fighter and they like the pressure and stuff like that. So, yes, we’re working on both things. I did notice he’s not a bad boxer at all, I notice he’s got some good technique going, so we’re preparing for pressure and we’re preparing for boxing. You can never just have a one-track mind or a one-track game plan, so to speak. You have to focus and prepare for quite possibly anything that could happen. And I expect a few surprises in the game for me, this is the biggest fight of his career, but at the end of the day I’m a veteran of this game, and I’m a veteran of this sport, and I’ve seen a lot, which is why I approach every fight this way and I try not to look at it from a one-track mind. I try to prepare for everything he might do and be able to counter-attack.

Q

This is his first fight at 147, it took you four fights to get to your big fight at 147, can he make this leap for this kind of a fight from 140 to 147?

P. Malignaggi

He’s at an age where you’re still growing and getting thicker and bigger, and I’m at an age where I’m not growing anymore. So he’s got a good frame and I think obviously he’s a growing kid, he just turned 23, so I don’t think moving up in weight is as much of a factor for him because at that age your body is still filling out and maturing and growing, so I think in the end he would probably end up as a Welterweight anyway. But I’m not really thinking about is it too early for him to be a Welterweight or not. I’m thinking about this is my rival, this is my opponent, and I’ve got to beat him.

R. Diaz

I would like to thank everybody, champions, Paulie, Pablo, thanks for being on the call, taking some time with us in the media. Also remind everyone Golden Boy Promotions, Barclays, and Showtime bringing it back after 80 years to Brooklyn. Don’t forget. Four world title fights, all on Showtime, not pay-per-view. Thank you everybody.

END OF CALL

World championship boxing returns to Brooklyn with an inaugural night of fights at the new Barclays Center on October 20 headlined by Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia against future Hall of Famer Erik “El Terrible” Morales presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, Brooklyn’s own Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi puts his WBA Welterweight World Championship on the line against hard-hitting Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano, undefeated number one rated WBO middleweight contender Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin of Manhattan takes on unbeaten Hassan N’Dam for N’Dam’s WBO Middleweight World Championship and Devon Alexander “The Great” faces Randall Bailey for Bailey’s IBF Welterweight World Championship in a bout presented in association with DiBella Entertainment. The SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 are available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the Barclays Center box office, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.




Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin’s Homecoming Saturday night in Brooklyn against WBO Middleweight Champ Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam


NEW YORK (October 16, 2012) – Undefeated challenger Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (27-0, 20 KOs) has returned home to change the face of the middleweight division, on a seek-and-destroy mission to defeat unbeaten World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Middleweight Champion Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (27-0, 17 KOs) this Saturday night on Showtime Championship Boxing, live from the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The 29-year-old Quillin, the WBO No. 1 contender, lived in Brooklyn for four years and he now resides in Manhattan. “I’m excited to be fighting at home,” Quillin said. “I know what I need to do to secure a victory. I know how far I’ve come, from sleeping on floors to fighting for the world title on the biggest stage, Showtime, at Barclays Arena. I’ve learned that, if you really want something in life, you can’t be discouraged. No excuses Saturday night.”

Neither N’Jikam nor Quillin have defeated any top 10 middleweights, although Quillin sent four-time world champion Ronald “Winky” Wright into retirement with an impressive win by 10-round decision last June, and he had a solid knockout of Craig McEwan. N’Jikam’s notable victims are hardly household names, even for diehard boxing fans: Max Bursak, Giovanni Lorenzo, Autandil Khurtsidze, Omar Weiss and Gennaddy Martirosyan.

“We’ve fought the same level of opponents but checkout my record and see how few rounds I’ve ever lost,” Quillin noted. “He does have the belt. When I step in the ring, though, I’ll remember what I’ve been fighting for all these years. I’ll be superbly prepared. He is world champion and for that he has my respect, but he’s coming from France to fight me in my hometown.

“He is fighting for a reason, too. We’re going to have two undefeated guys trying to give each other their first pro loss. I hope he’s ready. He’s a boxer with good movement who throws pity-pat punches; he doesn’t sit-down on his punches. I’m going to take the fight to him and take his belt.”

Quillin prepared for N-Jikam at the famed Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles like he’s done for the past two years, teaming with his head trainer, Eric Brown, who will be working Quillin’s corner for his fifth straight fight.

“He has improved in a lot of ways – how he uses his tools, keeps his composure, places his shots better, enhance and improve his boxing skills,” Brown commented. “He doesn’t waste a lot of punches and has learned how to breakdown different types of fighters. We’ve worked a lot on his conditioning, something that is very important, especially as he steps up the competition. He’s eager and ready to do whatever is needed to be his best.

“N’Jikan is a very good boxer who relies on his movement to win on points. He’s never fought anybody the quality level of Pete. It’s going to be a big difference for him. Pete’s a good boxer, too, and a great counter-puncher. Wait until he (N’Jikam) feels him (Quillin). His movement is his defense. Look at the quality of his opponents and it’s worked. But this time he’s fighting a different animal in Pete, who is also a very intelligent fighter. He’s eager and willing to learn and each fight is a learning experience for him. Pete’s a throwback fighter. He trains hard, never skimps. He always gives me everything I ask of him. After he wins the world title, he’ll be an even more dangerous fighter, more confident and winning it (world title) will make him aware of what he’s really capable of doing in the ring.”

For more information about Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin go online to www.TheKidChocolate.com, or follow him on Twitter @Kid Chocolate and Instagram@KidChocolate.




BOXING, BAGELS & BODEGAS: STEVE FARHOOD GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH UNBEATEN PETER “KID CHOCOLATE” QUILLIN


NEW YORK (Oct. 9, 2012) – Christmas will come early for Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, a New York kind of guy and No. 1-ranked contender who challenges fellow unbeaten WBO Middleweight World Champion Hassan N’Dam in one of four world championship fights on Saturday, October 20, in the first-ever boxing event at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Quillin recently answered six questions with SHOWTIME boxing analyst and historian Steve Farhood:

You’re originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, not New York City, but you’ve lived in New York for the last 12 years. What about you suggests you’re a true New Yorker?

“I have no problem drinking coffee in the morning with a bagel. I’m a corner-bodega kind of guy; I don’t like to be the type of person who goes to Starbucks just because everybody else goes there.

“Also, I’m not really a morning person. On the subway in the morning, there’s dead quiet. Nobody says anything — me included.

“And if somebody asks me for directions, I tell them I don’t know — even if I do.

“I fit right in.”

The original Kid Chocolate was the first world champ from Cuba. Your dad is Cuban. There have been many great Cuban champions, but you’re the first one I remember who’s publicly paid homage to Kid Chocolate. Why?

“Fighters here take the name Muhammad for Ali, or Sugar. I took the name Kid Chocolate not so much for Cuba, but for my father, who came here with nothing.

“It’s a tribute to his culture. I went to Cuba 2 1/2 years ago and met three half-brothers and sisters for the first time. My father is 75 and he still lives in Grand Rapids. I speak to him in Spanish more than I ever have. It’s very important for me to learn the language.”

“The original Kid Chocolate was not only a great fighter, but when he came here, he was very big in New York.”

The original Kid Chocolate fought many times in New York City, including several times in Brooklyn. What does it mean to have your biggest fight to date at the brand new Barclays Center in Brooklyn?

“I’ve lived in Brooklyn, and when I first heard about this show, I kept it to myself. You know when you’re growing up and your mom says she’ll get you something for Christmas? Well, you don’t say anything because you’re scared that if you do, it won’t happen.

“This is my Christmas.

“This is big for me. New York created me as a person and a fighter. The aggressiveness… the hard work for something you want. Believe it or not, growing up in Michigan, I used to talk with a fake Brooklyn accent.

(Upon learning that the last world title fight in Brooklyn came 81 years ago) “Man, how do you think that makes me feel?”

There’s been a lot of complaining about the lack of top-level American heavyweights, but you’re the only American in the middleweight top 20. Does that create pressure?

“In 1982, there were eight American middleweights rated by ‘The Ring.’ Fast-forward, and now there’s only me, but I’m not letting the pressure get to me. I have to use that fact as motivation. It’s not about the money, it’s about my legacy.

“I never allow anybody to call me champ. I say, ‘We’re getting there.’ After October 20, they’ll call me champ and I’ll accept it gracefully. In fact, I’ll probably cry.”

If you’re successful against N’Dam, what fight might the win propel you toward?

“I have Al Haymon and Golden Boy; all the sweat and pain, and now I’m seeing the rewards. They look after me. Whatever fights come my way.

“Personally, whenever I called for (WBC champion) Sergio Martinez, people said I was being disrespectful, but I just wanted to fight the best.

“And I’m tired of hearing about (WBA champion) Gennady Golovkin. He had 400 amateur fights; he’s supposed to be doing what he’s doing.

“(IBF champion) Daniel Geale…there are too many names out there to call out just one. I’m gonna let my team handle it.”

You’ve had 27 pro bouts. The original Kid Chocolate had 151. You think you’ll catch up?

“That greatness is what I’m working towards, but 151–that’s a scary number.”

# # #

In other world title fights on what will be an explosive night of boxing live on SHOWTIME®, unbeaten Danny “Swift” Garcia defends his WBA Super, WBC and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Championships against legendary Mexican warrior and future Hall of Famer Erik “El Terrible” Morales, Brooklyn’s own Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi puts his WBA Welterweight World Championship on the line against hard-hitting Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano and former Two-Time World Champion Devon Alexander “The Great” challenges defending champion Randall Bailey for the IBF welterweight crown.

The undercard is loaded with many of New York’s top fighters, including Brooklyn’s hot middleweight prospect Daniel “The Golden Child” Jacobs, former World Champion Luis Collazo, the Bronx’s rising star Eddie Gomez, former world title contender Dmitriy Salita and Brooklyn prospect Boyd Melson.

The inaugural night of fights at Barclays Center is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Box Latino with N’Dam vs. Quillin being presented in association with Asventure Promotion and Alexander vs. Bailey being presented in association with The Great Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and is supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 are available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.




The incredible Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin Journey Sleeping on floors to a World Title Shot


LOS ANGELES (October 8, 2012) – Nearly 12 years ago, undefeated middleweight contender Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (27-0, 20 KOs) first landed in New York City, and now his incredible journey culminates back in the Big Apple on October 20.

Quillin slept on the floor of his friend’s apartment in Manhattan and worked three jobs in order to keep his dream of becoming world champion alive. The gifted Cuban-American will have that coveted opportunity on Oct. 20, ironically, where it all started in New York City, at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Showcased on Showtime Championship Boxing, in one of four world championship matches presented by Quillin’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, No. 1 contender Quillin challenges a fellow unbeaten middleweight, defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (27-0, 17 KOs).

Technically speaking, Quillin’s life story started in Chicago, where his father, Pedro, relocated after defecting from his native Cuba to Miami. His family moved six months after Peter’s birth in 1983 to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pedro, who was on the second to last Cuban refugee boat, was rarely at home and he was later extradited from Orlando (FL) to Illinois and eventually imprisoned for money laundering.

Quillin’s mother immediately was forced to go on welfare in order to care for her three children. “I always had clean clothes but they weren’t the kind I really wanted, mostly shared with my brothers,” Quillin explained. “I had no confidence as a kid. I went to school and didn’t know why I didn’t have what other kids had. I didn’t understand that they didn’t have much, either. It was just a way of life in the inner city. We struggled growing up in Grand Rapids and by the time I was a teenager, I was uncontrollable and running on the streets. A lot of kids didn’t have their dad living with them. Friends were murdered or jailed.”

Boxing, like for so many other troubled teens, was a way out for Quillin, who started in the sport at the age of 15. He was in and out of the gym, though, undisciplined and didn’t have his first amateur fight until he was 17. At 18, he decided to get serious about boxing. With his $300 life savings stuffed in his pockets, he and his trainer headed to New York City, where he competed in the famed NYC Golden Gloves. He first lived on 88th and Amsterdam in Manhattan, in an apartment of his trainer’s friend. Things didn’t work out between “Kid Chocolate” and his trainer and Quillin soon had no place to live, no family in New York, and he was left crying by himself on a train heading from the Bronx to Manhattan.

Quillin had briefly lived on the Lower Eastside, then in the Bronx, over to the Financial District (his co-manager John Seip hooked him up there with an apartment), and then to Brooklyn for four years. Today, he’s bi-coastal, living in Manhattan between fights, and in Los Angeles while training.

“I don’t really know why I didn’t give-up but I think it was because of God,” Quillin remembered. “I try not to question why but I wouldn’t give up and worked through all the BS to get where I am today. I moved to Brooklyn because it reminded me more of home than Manhattan. I slept on the floor of my friend Steven Rivera’s home. He believed in me. I thank God for the special people in my life that I’m indebted to like my manager, John Seip (who co-manages Quillin with Jim McDevitt). They’ve encouraged me. God got me into boxing for a reason. I’m just getting to the point now where I always wanted to be. It’s all been worth it.”

It certainly hasn’t been an easy road for Quillin to follow and get where is today. Although it never got to the point where he considered quitting boxing, he was forced to work three jobs to survive, earning $350-$500 a week at IHOP (“My personality helped me earn extra money there.”), $100 a week doing administrative work for a friend, and additional coin teaching conditioning classes.

“I’d work three jobs and then go workout at the gym,” Quillin noted. “I didn’t sleep. Faith is everything. God has been good; He challenged me. Some may question why I have the work ethic I do and I owe that to God. I’ve learned that, if you really want something, you need to work at it. I’m still learning about boxing and I put everything into it. My work ethic is even better today, even if it just looks easier. Boxing is my job, boxing is my life.”

From the mean streets of Grand Rapids to Brooklyn and a world title shot Oct. 20 there reads like a Hollywood script. There just may be a “Kid Chocolate” movie someday, especially if he leaves the ring wearing the WBO championship belt around his waist.

For more information about Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin go online to www.TheKidChocolate.com or follow him on Twitter @/Kid Chocolate and Instagram@KidChocolate.




Winky Wright retires


According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Jr.Middleweight champion Winky Wright has retired following his ten round unanimous decision defeat to undefeated Middleweight Peter Quillin lasts Saturday in Carson, California.

“I’m gonna call it a day. I’m gonna chill out and play golf and live life,” the 40-year-old Wright told ESPN.com.

“I figured I’m 40 and if I can’t be champion again, I don’t want to do it anymore,” Wright said. “I’m not here just fighting to be fighting. Boxing is supposed to be fun and if it ain’t fun anymore I don’t need to do it so I am done for good. I had fun. I fought a good fight [against Quillin], I didn’t get hurt, I was in shape. My timing was off but I take nothing away from Quillin. He fought a good fight. He was strong. So I’m going to go ahead and get out of the game.

“I accomplished a lot. I want to be true to my fans. I don’t want to be fighting just to be fighting. I don’t need that. I got money, but if I can’t be champion again, I’ll do something else. I’m retiring from the ring. The ring didn’t retire me. If I wanted just to fight I would have come back with an easier fight. I always wanted to challenge myself which is why I took a tough fight like I did.”

“Being in fights on the road helped me to know I could fight anywhere against anyone, no matter what,” he said. “That overseas thing worked out great for me. I got a lot of European fans. If I wanted to, I could still fight. A lot of people have wanted me to come back over there to fight.”

Wright became a regular on HBO and then moved up to middleweight. Felix “Tito” Trinidad, one of boxing’s biggest stars, had ended a retirement by beating Ricardo Mayorga in his comeback fight. For his second fight of the comeback, Trinidad surprisingly picked Wright to fight in what was a major HBO PPV event.

“Tito had destroyed Mayorga and nobody gave me a chance. They thought he’d knock me out and we just did what we did,” Wright said.

What Wright did was put on a clinic in a virtual shutout that sent Trinidad back into retirement for nearly three years before he fought one more time against Roy Jones Jr.

“That fight with Tito was a big fight. That was No. 2 to me because it got me a lot of fans,” Wright said. “Tito was a good guy and everything worked for me in that fight. We still respect each other. Tito became good friends with me after that fight.”

“He came to my dressing room before and after the Quillin fight,” Wright said. “I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at if Shane didn’t give me a shot. So I thank him a lot for that. Before that nobody would fight me, nobody with a name would fight me, so I owe a lot to Shane.”

“I’m glad people know me and respect my accomplishments. It was a great career,” he said. “I always tried to carry myself like a champion and respect people.”

“I got my man, Jim Wilkes, my friend and my attorney who I do some business with. We’ll make sure my money is right and I’ll enjoy my life. I think I had a great career. I love my fans, I love how they stayed behind me no matter if the boxing world wasn’t behind me. They were behind me.

“That motivated me to want to beat everybody and become undisputed champion. But there is life after boxing. So you’ll see me around. You’ll still me at ringside. You’ll see me in Las Vegas. I can relax and watch all the young kids come up and do what they need to do.”




The Wright Stuff: That old defiance is still there in Winky’s bid to beat Quillin


If defiance is an art form, Winky Wright is an artist. He might not practice it in quite the style of a Bernard Hopkins, who has applied it in broad strokes for an identity all his own. But Wright uses it in a careful, almost subdued tone that has made fools of many who didn’t see it or doubted it was even there.

Whether it can still help him is either a question of time — he’s 40 – or Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KOs), who Saturday night on a Showtime-televised card in Carson, Calif. will attempt to do what Felix Trinidad and Shane Mosley couldn’t.

Wright’s initial challenge rests in whether he can overcome a problematic combination. There’s his age, although Wright (51-5-1, 25 KOs) won’t even be the oldest on a card labeled “Four Warned.’’ The senior citizen on this one is Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KOs), who at 43 faces Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KOs) in a cruiserweight fight. Wright’s biggest problem might be a long layoff. He’s had only one fight in the last five years and only two in the last six-and-a-half. His last victory was over Ike Quartey in 2006.

But, Wright said in a conference call, he never retired. OK, maybe he was on an extended vacation or gone on a long recess. Whatever it was, Wright says he never planned to quit. That, he says, is why he’s coming back.

But, he said, “If I’m going to do it, I’ve got to do it now.’’

If not retirement, inactivity often erodes reflexes and dulls muscle memory. Wright played a lot of golf. But a tee time isn’t opening bell. In perhaps a concession to that possibility, Wright trained in Phoenix at the Athletes Performance institute where the best from all sports often go to rehab from injuries or to resurrect old skills.

Wright, who is back with trainer Dan Birmingham, conceded that it took him a while to re-adapt to the Spartan-like regimen that dictates a fighter’s lifestyle in the weeks before a bout.

“I’m not going to say I stayed in boxing shape,’’ said Wright, who got up to 185 pounds and will fight Quillin at 160. “I wasn’t fat. But I wasn’t in boxing shape.’’

The layoff, he said, was a result of not getting the kind of fights he wanted.

“No one significant wanted to fight me,’’ he said.

Significant fights eluded him for years. In large part, that was his story before he emerged as the first undisputed junior-middleweight champion in nearly three decades. Wright fought in Europe, winning yet ignored in the United States during the late 1990s. In the U.S., Wright, the American expatriate, got little respect for a record perceived to be built on opponents who – the joke went – could only get licensed to drive a cab in Las Vegas.

Wright filed it away, used it as motivational chip and as a weapon for those who laughed at the jokes, yet looked like the punch line once they got into the ring against the lefthander with a precise jab and defensive knowhow. In 2004, he beat Shane Mosley twice, the first time after Mosley was coming off his second victory over Oscar De La Hoya. Yet, Wright was still the underdog in 2005 when he met Felix Trinidad at middleweight. Trinidad had no chance in losing a one-sided decision in what was Wright’s finest performance.

But victory didn’t temper the defiance, which was sometimes reflected in failed negotiations. In 2006, Wright and Jermain Taylor fought to controversial draw. Taylor has the middleweight title, but balked at giving Wright financial parity, a 50-50 split, because Wright didn’t have a title. The rematch never happened.

Wright is often asked about the fights he turned down, including one with Oscar De La Hoya proposed in 2003. He was asked about it again in the conference call that included Quillin.

“All these idiots always talk about what I turned down,’’ Wright said in a flash of anger that said time hasn’t tempered that defiance either.

It’s a sign that Wright has a chance on a night when few give him any at all against the 28-year-old Quillin. From the beginning, it’s why he’s always had a chance.

Notes, Quotes
· The sad death Sunday of Johnny Tapia marks the passing of a star-crossed personality and a character as colorful as any in a sport full of them. He was as ferocious a fighter as there ever was. In the end, he will be remembered more for his story outside of the ropes – Mi Vida Loca – than for what he did within them.

· Say a few prayers for Paul Williams. His fight is just beginning after a motorcycle accident Sunday in Atlanta that will likely leave him paralyzed from waist down. He was scheduled to undergo surgery Friday.

· Wright’s last opponent was Williams, who beat him by unanimous decision in April 2009 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay.

AZ Notes
Phoenix junior-welterweight prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. is thinking about a different model of Everlast gloves after extending his unbeaten record to 15-0 last Saturday in Tucson in his first bout since surgery on his right wrist in January. He emerged from the six-rounder over Josh Sosa without pain in the wrist. But there was a swollen knot on the middle knuckle of the left hand. It’s a problem he’s had over the last three-to-four fights. Benavidez’ bone structure might not be able to withstand power from his own punches. One solution might be an Everlast model with more padding above the knuckles.




Quillin to fight Winky Wright on May 26 Showtime card


Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin will take on former Jr. Middleweight champion Winky Wright on May 26th on Showtime as the co-feature of the Antonio Tarver – Lateef Kayode Cruiserweight battle according to espn.com’s Dan Rafael.

Wright will be coming back after a three year layoff

“They’re both in. I don’t have it signed yet but both sides have agreed to it,” said Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer.

“I think it’s a fascinating matchup,” Schaefer said. “With Winky Wright, you have one of the biggest names in the sport and for him to come back and not take some sort of a tune-up fight, but to go into a fight with one of the top rated guys at 160 pounds in Peter Quillin, it just shows you Winky is serious about giving it another run.

“For Peter Quillin, it’s the most dangerous and biggest fight of his career. For both sides it’s a very intriguing and interesting matchup.”

“I’m super excited about the fight,” Quillin said. “I want to get closer to fighting good fighters and making some good paydays. I will put loads of leather on his ass, make sure every punch lands and that none are wasted. Or I will be the better boxer against Winky Wright. I don’t fight just one way. My job is to train to destroy him. No other way around it.”

“I think he’s a perfect opponent for Winky coming back after being off for a long time,” said Damian Ramirez, Wright’s adviser, who added that he was still waiting to see a draft of an agreement from Golden Boy. “I just feel that it’s a good opportunity for Winky to make a statement with because, with all due respect to ‘Kid Chocolate,’ his best opponent is not on the same level of Winky’s worst opponent. But I take nothing away from the kid. He’s young and strong.”

“This is not a tune-up fight,” Schaefer said. “It’s a serious fight. Winky knows what’s at stake. If he beats a guy like ‘Kid Chocolate,’ then he is back. And he is a big name and he basically wants to use this fight to start the final chapter of the Winky Wright story. He let his body rest, he’s been out for awhile and he is coming back in a meaningful fight.

“But if Peter Quillin can put Winky’s name on his resume that is a big win for him. I think whoever wins this fight will certainly come out as a bigger name in the 160-pound weight class. I really don’t know who is going to win.”

Said Quillin, “Richard was right about Winky being a name on my record. This fight right here gets me closer to a world title. I respect Winky Wright. He has not taken a lot of punishment in his career, but stepping into the ring with me, he will take a lot of punishment. I don’t have nothing to worry about other than to go in there and be the best I can be. If Winky thinks the same way then it will be a good fight for the fans and that’s what I want to give to the boxing fans.

“I’m just looking forward to getting in the ring with Winky Wright and it will be my pleasure to tangle with him. He’ll be a good name for my record.”

“If Winky Wright is the only guy right now to give me exposure, fine,” Quillin said. “That’s all I’m worried about. I want to make some money, I want to win the title, so what I want to do is when Golden Boy or (adviser) Al (Haymon) call me I just want to be ready. That’s my job.”




THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS IN NOVEMBER WHEN JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT STARS ALFREDO “PERRO” ANGULO & JAMES “MANDINGO WARRIOR” KIRKLAND FACE OFF IN CANCUN, MEXICO


LOS ANGELES, September 29 – Known for its dazzling beaches and as a vacation destination for millions, Cancun, Mexico will be turned into a fight town on Saturday, November 5, when Golden Boy Promotions and Periodico QueQui (Pepe Gomez) will bring one of the most anticipated bouts in recent years to the Cancun Center, where junior middleweight sluggers Alfredo “Perro” Angulo and James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland will engage in what is already anticipated to be a 2011 Fight of the Year candidate live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. Also on tap for this boxing extravaganza is a middleweight clash between two fighters battling for a spot in the top ten, undefeated rising star Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin and the always tough contender Craig McEwan.

“This is a fight that fans have been looking forward to for years and now we are finally going to see Angulo vs. Kirkland, and the word ‘explosive’ won’t do it justice,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “There’s no mystery as to what either fighter wants to do on November 5. James and Alfredo are both going to be looking for the knockout and I can’t wait to see it.”

“This is the kind of fight boxing needs and I respect James Kirkland for stepping up and taking it,” said Angulo. “We’re not going to dance or hug in there on November 5th; we’re going to fight, and I can’t wait.”

“Angulo has been on my radar for a long time and I’m happy that we’re finally going to get a chance to fight each other,” said Kirkland. “He’s a good fighter, I like his style and I know we’re going to make for a great fight.”

“I’m very excited and blessed to have this opportunity,” said Quillin. “I know Craig is a solid fighter with tons of fight in him because we used to train together in the same gym, but he has to prove that he has what it takes to give me my first loss. He has tons of heart, but so do I, and if he wants to make a good fight, then he can meet me right in the middle of the ring on November 5th.”

“I don’t think I can just beat Quillin, I know I’m going to knock him out,” McEwan said.

Angulo vs. Kirkland, a 12 round junior middleweight bout and Quillin vs. McEwan, a 10-round middleweight fight are presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Periodico QueQui (Pepe Gomez) and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. The HBO Boxing After Dark broadcast will air at 10:15pm ET/PT.

While James Kirkland can knock you out with a single blow, Mexicali’s Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (20-1, 17 KO’s) is a punishing puncher who can make you beg for a one punch knockout. A professional since 2005, Angulo became a fan favorite for his aggressive style while he piled up win after win, with his only loss coming via decision to Kermit Cintron in 2009. The winner of five in a row since then, including victories over Harry Joe Yorgey, Joel Julio and Joachim Alcine, Angulo returned from a year long layoff in August with a first round knockout over Joseph Gomez. He will look to make a big statement against the concussive punching Kirkland.

One of the hardest punchers in boxing today, James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (29-1, 26 KO’s) has been responsible for some of the most devastating knockouts seen in recent years. A longtime junior middleweight contender who owns victories over Eromosele Albert, Ricardo Cortes, Brian Vera and Joel Julio, the 27-year-old southpaw from Austin, Texas returned to the ring in 2011 after two years away, and he has won four of five bouts, with all four victories coming by knockout in two rounds or less.

Undefeated as a professional, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (25-0, 19 KO’s) has become a much avoided contender in the middleweight division in the past year. That’s not a shock considering his series of crushing knockout wins over Dennis Sharpe, Jesse Brinkley, and Jason LeHoullier in 2011. Now ready to take the next step in his career, the popular 28-year-old will look to take his career to the next level with a win over McEwanin his HBO Boxing After Dark debut.

Also looking to make a big impression on fight fans this November is Scotland native Craig McEwan (19-1, 10 KO’s). Coming off of the first loss of his professional career, which was a thrilling 10 round battle with Andy Lee in March, the 29-year-old southpaw knows that the only way to erase the sour taste of defeat is by replacing it with a big win. In his fight against Peter Quillin, he has the opportunity to take out a top level opponent and get back in the victory circle in front of a worldwide television audience.