Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody for joining us today. We have four fantastic fighters that are going to be available to talk to you and answer your questions about their fight on the December 7th, Zab Judah and Paulie Malignaggi Undercard at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
This call is with Devon Alexander, Shawn Porter, Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout and we’re going to start the call with Austin Trout and Erislandy Lara and then we’ll switch over to Devon Alexander and Shawn Porter. So, I’m going to turn it over to Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions to make the introductions. Richard?
Richard Schaefer
Thank you, Kelly. Hello, everybody. Good morning, good afternoon. You’re right, four great fighters on the phone here, but we’re going to have four great fights on that card. It’s going to be a quadruple header with three world title fighters, Sakio Bika against Anthony Dirrell opening up the night and then Lara against Trout and Alexander against Shawn Porter and then although no world title at stake, it’s going to be the fight of Brooklyn, Malignaggi against Zab Judah.
Tickets are going extremely well. I do anticipate the largest yet crowd at the Barclays Center on December the 7th. Tickets are priced very attractively, starting at $25, $50, $75, $125 and $250. I’d like to thank our sponsors as well, Corona, AT&T and Grudge Match. Yes, the movie, Grudge Match is a sponsor of this event and I’d like to welcome as well a new sponsor, Casamigos Tequila, which is one of the fastest growing tequilas here in the United States and, of course, in Mexico. It’s owned, among others, by George Clooney and Cindy Crawford, so I really want to welcome Casamigos to the boxing family.
The Showtime telecast is going to start at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and I’d like to introduce now the two fighters, which are going to be fighting for the WBA Interim Super Welterweight World Title in a 12-round fight. First up I’d like to introduce to you Austin Trout with a record of 26 and 1, from Las Cruces, New Mexico, fighting out of El Paso, Texas. We all know he’s the former WBA Super Welterweight World Champion belt he won over Rigoberto Alvarez in February 2011.
He defended the belt successfully four times and then lost, including against Miguel Cotto, which was a great performance there at Madison Square Garden. So, for him it’s a coming home to New York to the place where he had the biggest victory of his career.
He is going to be fighting Erislandy Lara, one of the greatest amateur boxers to emerge from Cuba. In 2011 he lost a highly controversial decision over former World Champion Paul Williams, but then followed up with impressive knockouts over Ronald Hearns and outpointed Freddy Hernandez. Then in one hell of an exciting fight his 10-round technical knockout victory over Alfredo Angulo earlier this year and so now he on December the 7th, Lara will face Austin Trout for the WBA 104 pound crown. Lara and Austin Trout are without any question two of the top five pound-for-pound 154 pound fighters. Most experts have them ranked right there, number three and four.
So, this is a very meaningful match-up in this division, in a division I might add, which is loaded with a lot of good names out there. So, I’d like to introduce to you now, with a record of 18 one and two with 12 knockouts, from Cuba now fighting out of Houston, Texas, Erislandy Lara.
Erislandy Lara
Hi everyone. I’m working very hard in the gym. Thank God that everything is going great. Just waiting for the date of the fight, but everything is going very, very good moving forward.
Austin Trout
Well, I want to thank God for the opportunity to get right back to the position where I left, where I felt I belonged. A fighter like Lara is right there in my resume to be fighting the best and being the best.
Q
Hi, guys. Thanks for taking the time to do the call. First question is for Mr. Trout. Austin, I’d like your assessment of Erislandy Lara. What does he bring to the table? What do you think of him technically and how do you plan to beat him?
A. Trout
Well, you know, I’m not going to give how I’m going to beat him, but he brings a very strong technical amateur base to it. He’s very strong, having a lot fights in amateurs. I feel like he lacks real heart and will and we’re going to go out and expose out that because I’m a technical fighter as well, but as I said I’ve got the high determination to win in all different types of scenarios.
Q
All right. That’s a good assessment. A question for Erislandy. What do you think of Trout technically? What does he bring to the table? And I’d like you to comment on him saying that you maybe lack the heart and the will to win?
E. Lara
Austin Trout is an okay fighter. There’s nothing special about him. I feel that he’s on his way out. He had his time and I’m going to prove that. And as far as having a heart, you know, let’s see in the ring. I’ll show him in the ring who has a heart or not and we’ll decide then.
Q
Richard, you’re talking about these being two of the best here at 154, don’t know who’s going to win; it’s kind of a coin flip fight, but I am curious, do you have any ideas what will happen with the winner? Who might the winner face?
R. Schaefer
Well, you know, you have Carlos Molina, you have Canelo Alvarez, you know, there’s obviously Floyd, but I don’t see Floyd fighting at 154 unless it’s a really big undisputed truly middleweight fight, that kind of thing. You have Angulo still there, you have a bunch of guys so we’ll just have to see on how that will match up with the calendars of some of those names I just mentioned now. But I can definitely see a potential fight down the road with Canelo Alvarez.
Q
Hey, guys. Obviously, Richard just said you both have, well, you’ve already fought Canelo, Austin, and Erislandy has wanted Canelo for a long time. How much incentive does having his name out there as an immediate fight, how much incentive does that add to this fight for you guys, for each of you?
A. Trout
I’m not worried about Canelo. My focus is on Lara. You know, whether Canelo picks the fight with the winner, that’s great. I don’t know or believe that he will, but regardless of that or not my whole focus is beating Lara on his way out.
Q
Erislandy, same question.
E. Lara
I’m not even thinking about that. I’m even thinking beyond this fight. My job is to first beat Austin Trout and then after that all the other doors are going to open up and I’ll take on all comers. Right now I’m just focused on the fight and I’m focused on busting up Austin Trout’s mouth.
Q
Okay. One more question for each of you. Austin, the last time you fought a southpaw was David Lopez and we all know how Erislandy did against Paul Williams, who is a southpaw. Can each of you address what the difference is for each of you in facing a southpaw of the caliber that you’re going to face on December 7th?
A. Trout
Well, Lara is not David Lopez and I’m not Paul Williams, so the comparison is not really there. David was a bigger slugger, in my opinion, but he was also slower. So, to try to look at that fight towards this fight, it’s apples and oranges. He’s a different caliber of fighter and a different breed and I’m going to make him look like the amateur he is.
E. Lara
Well, the big difference between Paul Williams and Austin Trout is that Paul Williams has balls. He was a fighter that would attack you and he was aggressive and he would come at you and he knew how to box as well. With Austin Trout, he’s just a guy that runs; he’s a fighter that runs.
Q
My question for you, Austin, is it’s been since April where you had the fight with Canelo. A lot of people thought you did enough maybe to get the decision in that fight. And I’m wondering, you’re coming back now end of the year, how much excitement is there for you to get back in the ring? I know that fight didn’t go the way you wanted, just your general enthusiasm for the combat once again?
A. Trout
I’m absolutely excited to get in the fight. I really wanted to fight as soon as I could. I wasn’t injured, I wasn’t necessarily beat up, but I had to wait for December. So, all that in value then builds up and I’m ready to take it out on Lara. Somebody has got to get rid of this guy and I’m happy to be the one to do it. I feel like I’m the only one that can do it, so it’s really honorable to be able to get in there and get my belt back at the same time.
Q
Now, when you lost to Canelo in what by all accounts was a very close fight and then you watch Canelo go in his next fight in the humongous event that he had with Floyd and lose in the estimation of most a completely one-sided decision, did you sit and watch that and think to yourself, boy, man, I would have done a lot better against Mayweather than this guy just did?
A. Trout
Most definitely. Like I said, Canelo had his best fight in his life when he fought against me. And in my opinion I’d give myself maybe a seven or eight; it was definitely not my best and then an off night for him, by his standards. And that was the number one thing I thought, like, come on, Canelo, you’re making us both look bad, one. And two, you should have just let me go ahead and get that fight because I sure would have put up a better fight than that.
Q
And now, the other big name opponent that you fought, which is Miguel Cotto, who you beat in a fight that there was no controversy about. He’s come back and got a victory last month and now he is now in contention, a fight, a big fight with Canelo Alvarez, another huge fight, for the guy that you beat. Do you feel like, I mean, he’s the bigger name, I guess, he’s the bigger, but does the competitive unfairness maybe gnaw at you a little bit and make you motivated to go out and kick some butt against Lara?
A. Trout
Well, I use that as motivation. It’s not necessarily the best fighting the best and, again, except the fight with me and Lara fighting each other, but it’s more; I think really that we’re fighting each other because nobody else wants to fight us. But you know me, I’ll take all comers and for him to say I don’t have any balls, he’s never watched me fight, which is fine. He can sleepwalk if he wants to.
It’s the golden rule; you punch, that makes the rule. I can’t be bitter about it because that’s something I don’t have control over. I’ve just got to do what I can do with opportunities that come my way and that’s really why I’m going to make the most of this opportunity that’s presented itself.
Q
So, when you saw Erislandy’s last fight, which was a much more action packed fight than we’ve seen him in typically when he fought, what did you think about that? It seemed like he took advantage of the shortcomings that Alfredo Angulo has, but he also fought in a much more crowd pleasing way than he has in the past. Did you think he changed his style a little bit in that fight and what did you make of it?
A. Trout
I think he had to. He had to fight; Angulo was coming for him and Angulo was catching him. You’re either going to fight or flight and he fought some, but he did run a lot so he chose both.
Q
I think maybe, you tell me if I’m wrong here, I think part of the reason why you have not fought since April was you were going through the legal situation and your separation from your previous promoter. Can you talk a little about just the whole aspect of going through the separation and dealing with the legalities and not sure when you’d be allow to fight again?
A. Trout
Gladly. It was hard to not know when you’re going to be able to work again. I fell out of work, I felt like I was waiting for my unemployment check which was not coming any time soon. I’m very happy and proud to say that I’m not with Greg Cohen Promotions. It was the best thing that could happen to my career as this year goes and I’m just happy to put that all behind me and move forward.
Q
What actually happened in that? What was the disagreement?
A. Trout
He was trying to sue for some bogus basis. The word forgery can be used very heavily so without going into too many details, I’m just happy that it’s over with and now Showtime and Golden Boy, they know that it was all bullshit. So, to get that bullshit aside I’m ready to fight and that’s awesome motivation to whip Lara’s ass.
Q
Did you sign with Golden Boy now?
A. Trout
I am not signed with Golden Boy technically, but they have promoted my last four or five fights.
R. Schaefer
We have a great relationship, as you know. Austin’s with Al Haymon and Al and me work very closely together so even though it’s not signed, you know, Floyd Mayweather is not signed with us either, but sometimes those contracts where you don’t have a contract may be the best one.
Q
I understand that. I know you guys have a good relationship. I just wanted to know the technical fact of whether he was under your promotional contract. I know that he’s with you guys. Thank you, Austin. Good luck in the fight and appreciate your time. Thanks, Richard.
Q
Austin, as you mentioned before, you’re getting right back in there and you’re going right for a world title just after you lost one. How do you feel about having the opportunity to win back immediately what you lost?
A. Trout
I feel that God doesn’t make mistakes. In my loss I learned a lot of things, I learned a lot of things and it helped me tighten up my game, tighten up my business. And, in a sense, the lessons learned kind of evened it up for me and to be able to come right back and get back to my world title, it’s kind of predestined in my opinion.
I believe God does everything for a reason and He put me right back in this spot to put me back to where I need to be. Had I won I probably would have never learned these lessons that unfolded themselves.
Q
Erislandy said that he believes that you’re going to run in the fight, that you won’t stand toe-to-toe with him. It comes down to a situation where you basically have to do that. Will you stand in the trenches with him?
A. Trout
Have you ever seen me run in a fight as opposed to Erislandy Lara? That’s all he does in the ring, so I mean, he’s just talking. I’m not a runner; I box, but I don’t run. And I like to fight, which you can’t say about him. If you watch my fight you’ll see, I don’t run.
Q
All right, when you look at his last fight do you think the type of war that he had with Angulo could actually take something out of him?
A. Trout
Yeah, and that war was brought by Angulo. Lara didn’t want any part of that war. He was in a war because he had to survive. I think it’s hilarious that he says I’m a runner. That’s his MO. He ran from Cuba, he runs in the fight; he’s the runner of boxing. So, the title fight will be in my favor.
Q
All right, now having heard Lara does it give you extra motivation to beat him because he’s talking so much before this fight?
A. Trout
He talked before the fight was even made and once the fight was made he’s gotten real quiet. Whether I like him or don’t like him, which I don’t, it’s not going to change the fact that I’m going to try to take his head off.
Q
And my questions now for Erislandy. You’ve heard Austin speak and he’s saying he’s not going to run from you. Why do you think he’s going to run?
E. Lara
That’s what he’s always done in all the fights. It’s not the same as stand and fight right in front of you at a fighting distance than to be standing far away and trying to fight far away.
Q
Erislandy, you were dropped twice in your last fight with Angulo. What did you learn from that whole experience?
E. Lara
Yeah, you’re right, yeah, he did drop me twice, but we’re talking about Angulo, who is a very good fighter. He’s a big puncher. He came to win. He was well prepared and he caught me with perfect punches that could pretty much drop anybody. But the fact is that I did get up and I finished the fight and I won.
Q
All right, my final question here is you’ve had a few decisions that, obviously, didn’t go your way the way you wanted to. If this fight builds a scorecard do you feel confident that you will get the decision?
E. Lara
You have to remember that there are technicalities in those two fights that I didn’t get the decision and part of it was that I fought on other promoters’ fight cards. When I fought Vanes it was a top ranked show and when I fought Paul Williams it was Paul Williams promoter, Goossen, so I fought with them. This time I’m fighting under my promoter’s banner and that’s the difference.
Q
Austin, when Lara’s name was brought to your attention to be a possible opponent in the future, what was the first thing that was going through your head? Was it then beating Lara at the elite level or was that beating Lara would legitimize your name in the sport?
A. Trout
It was both. Beating him was definitely put my stake as the best in 154 pound division. I had a little setback in April and I think Lara’s the type of name and opponent that put me right back into the running for the best. After taking out the 154 pound division I want to be ready to go, so first things first. You pass this cat, get my belt back, unify the belt and then go after the top pound big headers.
Q
All right, thanks a lot. And then my next question is for Erislandy. On this call we’ve mentioned a few times the loss with Paul Williams. Is there anything that you’re going to be doing different in this fight, maybe looking for a knockout or more aggressive to kind of prevent the judges from even needing to score the fight?
E. Lara
No, no I’m going to calm. I’m going to be calm in this fight. I’m going to do my job and I’m very confident that doing my job is going to have the results and I’ll be fine and I should win.
R. Schaefer
Thanks, Austin. Gracias, Erislandy and I’ll see you guys in New York. All right, so we are moving to the co-main event, a great world title fight with Devon Alexander against Shawn Porter. Devon Alexander, without any question, one of the big names in the sport of boxing, a former IBF Junior Welterweight and WBC Super Lightweight World Champion, a record of 25-1 with 14 KO’s. Has wins over Lucas Matthysse, Marcos Maidana, Juan Urango, Junior Witter and on and on. That’s why it makes him the star and the big name he is.
And with Shawn Porter we have one of the United States’ best amateur boxers with that time, a top Welterweight fighter, scored earlier this year a dominant 10-round decision over previously unbeaten Phil Lo Greco. And to set the record straight this past September when he pounded out a clear-cut 10-round decision in the rematch with Julio Diaz, certainly a young fighter, a hungry fighter, a fighter who is ready to become world champion and when the opportunity presented itself to fight against Devon Alexander he was immediately on board.
This is the kind of opportunity young emerging stars are waiting for and Shawn Porter is going to be coming on December the 7 to the Barclays Center, not to pick up the paycheck – that, too – but to pick up a world title. And I know he’s always exciting. He’s going to be well-prepared. It’s a pleasure now for me to introduce to you, Shawn Porter. Do you want to make some opening comments?
S. Porter
No, just want to let you guys know that camp is going good, I’m working hard, studying Devon every day and when I’m not studying him I’m in the gym. So, doing what a professional athlete is supposed to do, stay on top of my grind, day and night, and I’ll be ready on December 7th.
R. Schaefer
Great. Thank you, Shawn. I’m going to introduce to you now Devon Alexander. Devon Alexander, as I said, former IBF Junior Welterweight and WBC Super Lightweight World Champion. He moved up in 2012 to the Welterweight division and was crowned the IBF Welterweight World Champion by defeating Randall Bailey right there at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
So, he’s going to come back to the scene and he is going to want to make his next world title defense. He earlier this year made the first title defense against Lee Purdy in a match that only went seven rounds after he was being stopped, after Alexander stopped Purdy by way of technical knockout and so now here he is making his next world title defense from the Barclays Center. Please welcome Devon Alexander.
D. Alexander
Hello, you guys, the media and everyone who are on the phone. This is an awesome fight. We know with Shawn Porter what I’m going to do. We know he’s going to be ready, but it’s not going to be enough. Yeah, training camp is going good. I’m in tremendous shape and will be ready to go 12 full rounds. If less, that’s great, too. But I’m training to go the 12 full rounds and Shawn Porter better be ready December 7 because nobody is beating me, nobody. So, be ready.
Q
Hey, a question for you. You know, earlier this year you were supposed to fight; Kell Brook was considered a pretty big fight for both of you guys. He dropped out with the injury, you ended up fighting a replacement, Lee Purdy. And for this fight in December everybody thought, Richard said many times, both sides seemed to be into it, that you were supposed to fight Amir Khan, that would have been a pretty big fight.
For whatever reason he decided not to fight you and now you’re fighting Shawn Porter, who – and no disrespect to Shawn – is not as big of a name at this point in boxing as Khan was and I’m wondering from your point of view, after the disappointment of the Brook fight dropping out and then Khan deciding not to fight you, are you feeling a little let down by the way your schedule has gone this year?
D. Alexander
Well, I mean I just let my team handle that. Of course, I want the big names, I want the big wins so I can the notoriety that I want. Like you said, Kell Brook fell through and the Amir Khan fight fell through, which both would have been great wins for me. But everything happens for a reason.
I’m just a fighter. If the fighters don’t want to get in the ring with me, what can I do? The only thing I can do is trust in my team to give me the best opponent, the best things that I need at the time. So, maybe it’s not meant for me to fight a U.K. fighter because every time I’m scared to fight one of them if something happens.
You know, I leave it up to my team. And if Shawn Porter is going to the next victim, that’s going to be it. So, hey, what can I do?
Q
Well, you did fight Lee Purdy, who is from the U.K., so I’m not sure that theory holds up. But my question to continue on that topic is, with regard to Brook, he had a legitimate injury, obviously, with the stress fracture so there was an understandable reason why he couldn’t fight you in July, or I forget what month it was, but he didn’t fight you because of the injury.
But Amir Khan doesn’t have an injury, so what are your thoughts about Amir kind of doing the dance with you to negotiate and saying that he was going to fight you and all this other stuff and then back out?
D. Alexander
You know, you have to be a true champion and a true fighter. I’m an old school fighter and I’ll fight anybody. If something happens, I just I can’t call it. There are a lot of rumors out there about why Khan pulled it out or why this, why that. But I can’t speak on that. I wanted to fight because I know that fight would have given another rise that I needed. I’m one of the best welterweights in the division and it didn’t happen.
So, who knows what he’s thinking, what his team is doing, I don’t know. I think that based on if I was the best risk, that I was too much right now for him or whatever. I don’t know, but I was ready to fight him in December, but he pulled it out so it didn’t happen that way.
Q
So, now you have Shawn in front of you, who is an undefeated young fighter. Just even based on his opening remarks, he seems hungry. I’ve watched him a long time and I know he’s probably really up for this challenge that you present to him. Have you seen him fight before and what do you think about his potential to be a champion someday?
D. Alexander
Yeah, I saw him fight before. I know Shawn from the amateurs and I fought him when I was little and I beat him and I don’t see any difference in December 7th. Might as well keep the thing rolling. But, I know Shawn. He’s a good fighter, a good kid. But his skills are limited. I mean, you can’t beat me if you don’t remember that. You have to be something special and I’m going to be ready December 7th whatever he brings, whatever. You know, him and his dad’s plan, it’s not going to work because my coach, he’s a master strategist. He broke Shawn Porter down from the feet to the head, so it doesn’t matter. So, we’ll be ready.
Q
When did you fight him as an amateur, Devon?
D. Alexander
At the Ohio State Fair.
Q
And did you remember the fight? How long ago was that?
D. Alexander
Man, that’s when I was eight or nine.
Q
Oh, you were a little kid.
D. Alexander
Yeah, I was little.
Q
You actually remember the fight? I mean you had a lot of amateur fights.
D. Alexander
Yeah, yeah, I remember the fight. I remember the fight. That was one of my bigger tournaments that I went to when I first started, so that’s one of the ones that stuck with me that I remember because it was one of the very first ones that my coach took me to.
Q
Did you win a decision in the fight?
Q
And there were some rides there, some roller coasters and I was excited to be there, so I was a kid, so you know I was happy.
Q
Did you win a decision?
D. Alexander
Yeah.
Q
All right, thank you for that, Devon. Hey, Shawn, do you remember that fight that he’s talking about? You’re even younger I think than Devon is?
S. Porter
Yeah, I remember going three one-minute rounds throwing punches at each other, I remember that.
Q
So, you’re saying not much of a fight then, not a real fight.
S. Porter
No, man it’s not much difference between then and now, but we’re grown men now and, like you said, I’m hungry and I’m up for the challenge so December 7th, but we’ll see December 7th.
Q
So, one other question for you then. Where I understand where Devon is coming from and the disappointment maybe that Khan decided not to take that challenge because he wanted to fight the bigger name. On the opposite end of that, you’ve got to be thrilled that Amir Khan didn’t take the fight because now you get a shot at a world title. Can you talk about your enthusiasm for seeing what happened with Khan rejecting the fight and you getting the opportunity to get what’s the biggest fight of your career by far?
Q
Like you said, just a lot of enthusiasm. After that fight watching to see who is going to make what moves and what belts are going to be fought for and all that kind of stuff, when I saw that Amir Khan was talking about fighting Devon I kind said, okay, well maybe we’ll get one of those two after that fight.
And when Amir stepped down it was like, okay, it’s got to be me. And so you’re waiting by the phone, waiting on it to be you and then finally it’s you. So, just a lot of excitement built up inside my body and I can’t wait to let it out. I’m going to be ready. I’m going to be ready mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, all the way. I’m a well rounded fighter. I’ve got way more to bring to the ring than Devon thinks and I’m going to show him that on December 7th.
Q
Hey, you spent a number of years, I don’t know how long in terms of fights maybe you can tell me, as a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao. Obviously, he’s a southpaw. Can you tell me how many fights that was and what you gained from that experience heading into this fight against Devon who is a southpaw?
S. Porter
I trained with Manny for Miguel Cotto and then also again for Shane Mosley, so I’ve got a lot of rounds under my belt with Manny Pacquiao and a lot of experience, but I think more than anything it just makes me comfortable again fighting a southpaw with some quick hands and some quick feet.
It’s nothing that I haven’t seen before, nothing that I’ve never been in the ring with, so I think December 7th, I’ll be bringing a little bit more to the ring than Devon will in terms of experience against fighters, against the fight style that I’m up against. Manny Pacquiao is arguably one of the best of our time right now and I’ve gone toe-to-toe with him, I backed him up, I made him really fight me.
So, a lot of experience in the gym and around the world fighting, so this is an opportunity that Richard Schaefer spoke on that you can’t help to rise to the occasion and I’m excited about it and I will be ready for it.
Q
First of all, you’ve had some pretty solid performances at 147 pounds. You’ve said that the reason for some of your questions in the fights you’ve had during the latter part of your 140 pound career were because of weight loss. You came real close to having a really signature performance against Maidana and I know your criticism of yourself was that had you had that fight again you would stop him.
Could this be the signature fight that you’re looking for against a solid opponent that you can look spectacular? If so, what aspects of your game do you think will be accentuated against Shawn Porter?
D. Alexander
Well, as you guys can see, every fight I’m getting better and better. When I made my move to 147, each fight I got better and better and better. I’m learning something from every day. You don’t see just one style in Devon Alexander. You just see me standing there or you just see me box or you can see me do most new things. So, that’s what people are now realizing.
But this fight is going to be one of my signature fights. Sean Porter is going to come to fight. Of course he is, he’s supposed. That’s what he’s supposed to do. But it’s not going to be enough. I believe in my skills. You’ve got to believe in yourself, believe in your skills. You know, as far as sparring with Pacquiao. I’m not a sparring partner. I don’t go around sparring with people. I don’t have that mentality. When you go around sparring other fighters, you know get that sparring mentality, right. You know, I need to take off, I need to let him beat me; I don’t have that. I’m not a sparring partner.
You know, you can have all the sprint and sparring and this and that. But this is fighting. When you get in the ring it’s about skill. So, I’m getting better and better. He’s going to see it December 7th. What I’m going to, you know, I’m getting better. You guys will say, wow, he is getting better and better each fight. So, you’ve got to see it.
Q
Okay, Devon, my last question to you is how is your left hand, the one you injured against Purdy and how is the, obviously, you wanted to get in the ring earlier, how has the time off helped you?
D. Alexander
Yeah, the left hand is good. I’ve been going to therapy for about a month and a half and I’ve been throwing my left hand like a rocket this year. You guys will see more of that come December 7th. Like I said, and I’m ready to rock.
Q
What did you say about you’re going to throw it like what?
D. Alexander
Like a rocket.
Q
Thanks for taking the time. The question is for Shawn. Shawn, Devon called your skills limited. I’m wondering how you take that, do you take offense to it and also I do have to think that Devon is the best guy that you’ve ever fought, right? I mean, this is at least one step up from anyone that you’ve ever fought before, is he not?
S. Porter
Well, he’s the world champion so he’s got to be the best up to this point. As far as he calling my skills limited, that gives me confidence that he doesn’t know what he’s up against. That gives me confidence that he won’t be ready for this fight. If he hasn’t seen anything yet that I can’t beat him with, he will see it December 7th, that’s for sure.
Q
And sort of technically how do you see that fight unfolding? Kind of give me a game plan, but what sort of fight do you see happening, a distance fight, a trading or slick boxing? What kind of a fight are we going to see?
S. Porter
He’s a good boxer, I’m not going to try to box him early in the fight. He’s quick, I’ve got to match his quickness. I’ve got to match his speed and I’m more powerful than him, so I think you’ll see me rough him up and show that I’m a powerful, better boxer than that.
Q
And, Devon, what do you think of that game plan from Shawn? He says he’s more powerful than you, he thinks he can rough you up.
D. Alexander
That’s what a lot of people say until they get in the ring. That’s what Maidana said, that’s what Urango said, that’s what a lot of fighters that I fought. I’ve heard that before. I’ve heard the same song, this and that. I say his power is limited. You saw what happened. People better not underestimate my power, because it’s there.
But you’ll see. Like I said, his game plan is his game plan, but that doesn’t mean that’s the right game plan.
Q
And for fans who haven’t seen maybe too much of Shawn Porter, can you give me an assessment, a scouting report of what he brings to the table, strengths and weaknesses? I said for fans that especially haven’t seen much of Shawn Porter, can you give me a scouting report, what he brings to the table, his strength and his weakness?
D. Alexander
He brings toughness. He’s going to be tough. He’s going to be game. He’s not just going to lay down. And he’s going to be in shape and he’s going to come prepared. He’s got some skills. Like I said, this is boxing. He’s been boxing since he’s an amateur, so, he’s got to have some type of skills. He’s in this for a reason and you can’t take him lightly. I’m going into this fight like I’d fight Floyd Mayweather and that’s what I’m going to do.
Q
Hi, Devon. The question I have for you is that you became a champion at the age of 22 and a lot of people kind of forget that you’re only 26 years old right now. Do you think right now that you’ve only matured as a fighter?
D. Alexander
I guess you hit the nail right on the coffin, I definitely have. I feel a lot of things that I used to do that I could have been doing, but I’m doing them now. My confidence level is up. I’m highly motivated. I’m focused, I’m zoned in. That’s why I say nobody can beat me. I’m at a point in my career that I’m at the peak of my career. I’m at the prime and I’m fully focused, I’m zoned in and that’s why I say nobody can beat me. When I’m zoned in and focused and prepared nobody can beat me and that’s where I’m at right now.
Q
Okay. My next question now is for Shawn Porter. Shawn, given the fact that you avenged your only blemish against Julio Diaz in your last fight, does that give you extra confidence going into this fight?
S. Porter
There’s a lot of confidence coming up for that fight. I think every fighter, we go to the gym every day to improve and learn and get better and I think in that fight, I’m able to take a look at that fight and see where I’ve improved and gotten better and that more than anything gives me confidence, knowing that I can do all of what I did in that fight against Diaz and more than that against Devon to beat him. So, a lot of confidence built up inside of me right now and around my camp as well.
Q
Richard, the question I have for you is this fight is at welterweight. Are you ideally looking to match the winner of this fight with the winner of Malignaggi/Judah?
R. Schaefer
Well, you know the welterweight division as to super welterweight, junior middleweight as well are very loaded divisions. I think the 147, the welterweight, is probably the most loaded of any division in the sport, so there are a lot of opportunities and possibilities there. Certainly the winner of that fight is one of the possibilities, but there are so many other names here at 147, which could be put in, so opponents for the winner of that fight.
Q
Hey, Devon, hey, Shawn. Shawn, you talked a little bit about how you wanted to be a welterweight champion. Can you tell us a little bit about how this opportunity falls in line with your goals?
S. Porter
This is great. It’s a wonderful opportunity. It’s funny because sometimes I may just walk past this door and see my reflection in that window and just think to myself, oh, that’s what a world champion looks like. So, it’s like everything that I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve been working for, literally it’s coming to pass now and it’s a wonderful feeling.
I know that it’s a great opportunity that I actually get in the ring and do everything that I’m talking about doing, but the best part about it is I believe that I can and I’m excited to get in there and do it and perform at the Barclays Center, which is just an unbelievable venue and just a lot of excitement. And, like you said, becoming a world champion, that’s number one goal right now.
I’m actually the other day thinking to myself, man, I’ve got to come up with some new goals now because this awesome goal is about to be accomplished and I’m just very excited about it.
Q
Okay. And then finally, Devon is a dangerous fighter. He’s a world champ, but you talked earlier about how you’ve been studying him on film. Do you look back at the Bradley fight, in particular, and think how your aggressive style and your improved defense can force him to quit again?
S. Porter
You know what, I’m going to do whatever it takes to win this fight and if that’s making him quit, if that’s making him sit down and not get up, if that’s knocking him down and him not getting up, if that’s taking this fight 12 rounds and winning the decision, I’m prepared. I will be prepared to do whatever it takes to go home with that IBF title. And I’m just too hell bent on winning that fight and having that title not to have it. I’m looking forward to nothing after the fight; everything is this fight and that’s it.
And you take a look at the Bradley fight and you look at what he did and I know that I’m a little sharper than Bradley was in that fight and I can get to Devon’s body a little bit better than Bradley did and I can get to his head a little bit better than Bradley did and I may do some things a little bit better than Bradley did, you know, if it comes to Devon quitting, which the kid is from St. Louis. I’m not expecting him to quit at all.
I’m expecting him to come 100 percent with his best and, like he said, in his zone. And I think this will make for a great fight. You see two fighters, two young fighters in the zone fighting for one goal and that’s that world championship belt. He’s trying to keep it, I’m trying to take it. It’s going to be an exciting night December 7th and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to win that fight.
Q
I said you’re definitely not saying kids from St. Louis are as tough as kids from Cleveland, right?
S. Porter
Not at all, man. We do what we have to do as fighters so I think from that aspect it’s just a mutual respect. I know where he’s from. I know what he’s about and I’m pretty sure he knows the same. If not, he knows that I’ve been around this game long enough to know that I’ve got to come 100 percent on December 7th or I can’t win the fight. So, there’s no questions that won’t be answered before we get to that ring December 7th. You’ll see some fireworks December 7th for sure.
Kenneth Porter (Shawn’s Father/Trainer)
