A conference call was held in anticipation of the debut of the Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV Friday, March 13th at 9:00 p.m. from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. Andre Berto and Josesito Lopez, as well as Shawn Porter and Roberto Garcia were all on the call. Take a look at the full transcript here.
Q
Hey, my question is for Shawn. Shawn, coming off the Kell Brook fight and being able to be on this card on Spike TV, how important is it for you to have not just a winning performance but to be exciting as well?
Shawn Porter
It’s important to the team, and we know that and we train like that. We train so that every fight I look great, I look sharp, I’m in shape and I’m prepared for whatever is in front of me. So, this fight against Roberto Garcia is just like any other fight. I have to come in there. Not only do I have to win but I have to be exciting as well.
Q
And so to follow that up is with Roberto, how are you looking at him coming into this fight? Does this seem like a must-win situation for you because, I mean, most fights are, but coming off of a loss is this really a must-win situation for you in the welterweight division?
S. Porter
Again, I’m going to treat this just like every other fight. Every fight is a must-win because we are winners. We want to win. Simple as that. I don’t look at Roberto Garcia like he’s any less of any other opponent I’ve already faced. I look at him just the same, like he’s coming in here to take something from me and I have to defend it.
Q
Now that we’ve actually already seen the first PBC event, and I know you mentioned in the last answer that you’re wanting to look good, but do you feel any extra pressure to really shine, especially here because you’ve got a Friday night spot as opposed to a Saturday night spot? Do you feel any extra pressure after that first event or does it just feel more of the same?
S. Porter
You know what? I kind of feel a little extra excited, and I think that’s just because I know what’s in front of me is a very big opportunity and I do expect to get in there and have some fun with PBC, with Spike TV, and just win and look good doing it. I think no extra pressure or anything like that. I think I’m made for the limelight and I’m ready for it.
Q
Alright. To follow that up with one other question, we saw the presentation and the production of PBC, the way it looked in the first event. Do you have something special planned for the way you’re going to arrive to the ring or is that something we’ve got to wait to see?
S. Porter
As far as I know, that’s something you’ve got to wait to see. I know that they spent a lot of money on this production, they want it to be fabulous, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to make it fabulous for them. So whatever they want me to do, that’s what we’ll do and we’ll have fun doing it.
Q
Picking up a little bit on obviously, you were physically there for that presentation. You watched it; you were in the arena for it. Did you envision yourself this coming week participating in that and what are your impressions of the overall presentation and the excitement that you felt?
S. Porter
Yeah, I always do that. When the guys would get into the ring, when there’s big punches landing and all that kind of stuff I would quickly close my eyes and envision myself going through it, hearing it, feeling it. As [indiscernible] it’s really nothing new to me when I’m in the ring doing it. Again, I felt that the whole production was fabulous and I just can’t wait to get in there and do my part.
Q
Roberto, and I’ll get to him in a second, had told me that he had worked with you in the past and Freddie Roach and Jim and some others. How many rounds would you say and how many camps would you say that you and him have participated in together?
S. Porter
You know, I can’t really estimate how many camps. Actually, we haven’t done any camps together, but I don’t count rounds. I know that it was quick experience, it was good experience and the time is here for us to fight. So, all of what we’ve done in the gym is out the door and it’s time to get in there and take care of the real business.
Q
You don’t see any difficulty separating yourself from the familiarity of having worked with Roberto and your relationship with him at all in this fight?
S. Porter
Not at all. It’s just who I am. It’s my personality. I understand what I have to do, as simple as that.
Q
Okay. So, Shawn was actually physically in the arena last week. He experienced the bright lights and it was a different presentation. I mean, the guys had to walk out with no entourage; there was no ring announcer, no ring card girls. It was definitely an adjustment, according to some of the fighters. Did you watch the presentation? Did you envision yourself going through it? And also, do you think he has any kind of advantage of having physically been there and been a part of it?
Roberto Garcia
Well, I honestly don’t. I’m not really in like that. I don’t really look at something like that. To be honest with you, I don’t even see the cameras or anything like that. I walk in there, it’s Friday, I go in the ring, I put my gloves on and wrap, I just need my coach Roberto. I mean, it’s Friday. I get in there and let my hands go and let it be, you know? Let it be, it’s Friday, no pressure. I’m going to just be in there, be me, and be Roberto Garcia, and that’s it, bro. Do you know what I mean?
Q
Now you had said to me that you actually characterize your relationship with Shawn as “we are friends” when we talked before. Can you estimate how many rounds and how many camps you guys have worked together and do you see any advantage or disadvantage and having been sparring together and being so familiar with each other?
R. Garcia
Yes, you know what? It’s been cool, you know, whatever, but it’s just like, let me just say this, I always keep it real. I don’t sugar-coat anything. I say the truth and the thing is that me and Shawn have boxed together and I’ve been fine. I’ve had fun with him, but we’ve been boxing, I’ve been boxing him as a friend.
Now, on Friday, I’m not going to get in there as his friend. To be honest with you, I don’t even know him anymore. I don’t know him anymore. You know what I’m saying? It’s not, it’s just, he’s another guy in front of me that I’ve got to take care of on Friday and I’m just being real, man. I’m going to do my job and better my life for my family.
Q
Okay. Well, I appreciate that. My last question for you is does your career, having literally been up and down in weight – you’ve fought at 147, you’ve fought at 160 – do you feel that that has helped you to be right where you are? Do you feel like you’re going to be a stronger, better fighter at 147? Is this the right weight for you?
R. Garcia
Yes, it’s definitely my weight. I am a natural, a very strong, successful welterweight. It’s just that me I never had the luxury of being managed properly. Do you know what I mean? So that’s why I had to earn my way to get here. It’s different. There’s no handouts in my career, that’s for sure. I have to earn everything that I’ve got in my career. I get the [indiscernible]. That’s why I’ve taken fights with short notice, fights out of my weight class.
I’ve taken fights without even being in shape because I kind of do what I have to do. Do you know what I mean? Usually I’m explaining, there’s a reason that I’ve come up to where I’ve come. I’m not saying I’m special, but it’s different the way I’ve been training. That’s why they call me my nickname because this is the way I’ve come up in my career. It’s totally different than what you see. It’s just everybody has their own story, you know what I mean, but this is my story. Do you know what I mean?
Q
My last question is how do you see this fight being? Do you see it being him boxing and you brawling or do you see it being a mutual brawl toe-to-toe? How do you envision this fight playing out?
R. Garcia
I think this is just another fight, and so I’m going to have the best stuff on [indiscernible] because this here, this opportunity, we are taking advantage of this. We are taking advantage of this. There are no excuses. On Friday we’re in a great shape, 100%. No excuses. I’m going to go in there and it’s all [indiscernible]. I have nothing to say, man. I’m going to be all I can be on Friday, everything. This is [indiscernible] fight this Friday. I said, boss, I’m going to be in there and I’m going to fight my ass off, boss.
Q
First question is for Showtime Shawn Porter. Shawn, presumably we’re going to get a lot of people tuning in, maybe who haven’t watched much boxing before, haven’t seen you before, so I’d actually like your assessment of Garcia. You’re a scouting reporter on Garcia. What sort of fighter is he?
S. Porter
He’s a lot like what Lem was asking him in the previous question. He’s a brawler. He’s a tough fighter. He’s a hard-nosed competitor. We know that and we’re prepared for that. So, we can bang, but we can also box.
Q
Okay. And Mr. Garcia, the same question is for you. For people that haven’t watched much of any boxing, what’s your scouting report on Shawn Porter? What does he do well and what maybe can you take advantage of?
R. Garcia
Well, my team, they’re the ones that know how to mimic Shawn and move like him. We know who he is and look, I know exactly who Shawn is. He’s a good fighter, don’t get me wrong. At this level, with this type of competition, everything’s competitive. But that’s it. I mean, I don’t think he’s ever faced somebody with my type of style that’s going to be like that. [Indiscernible] that he’s going to feel on Friday. I’m not [indiscernible] but that style, he hasn’t fought a guy like me. He’s not like me.
I’ve fought a variety of styles and it’s like this is a fight that I’m very happy to have, when they first told me about this, I was so happy, man, we were all happy for this opportunity. I mean, I want to be here. I’m happy for this fight. I mean, we wanted this for a long time. They have told me his name before and we said yes. It wasn’t plan B, it was plan A. This is a great opportunity for us, man. This fight could change our lives, and it’s going to on Friday.
Q
This fight can change our life. Last quick question for each of you guys. Adrien Broner drew some heat on social media by saying afterwards that “The last time I fought with my heart I lost. Now I’m just basically going to fight smart, and that means not take as many chances and not fight as much for the fans.” I’m wondering what you guys think of that. Basically, do you think about taking risk and fighting for the fans? That’s the first question for Shawn. I believe it’s about providing excitement for the fans. I’d like to get your take on that, what Broner said afterwards.
S. Porter
Well for me, it’s easy. I just have an exciting style and I do what it takes to win, so for me it’s easy to fight and do what my corner wants me to do and to be exciting for the fans. I think that’s maybe what separates me from most guys, is I just already have an exciting style that the fans are going to appreciate. For me, it’s about a matter of doing what my corner is asking me to do and carrying out our game plan and winning and looking great doing it.
Q
Broner said afterwards the fans don’t pay the bills for him, he’s not going to fight for the fans and fight exciting for them. He’s going to fight smart and not as much a fan-friendly style. What are your thoughts about that? Do you think about entertaining the fans or do you just fight for you?
R. Garcia
No, I fight for my people, I fight for my people that keep me straight. That’s what I do, that’s why I’m here, that’s why I grind it hard in the ring on a daily basis. Everybody that backs me up, I fight for them. I fight with so much emotion, right? It’s more than just boxing to me. I’m not about all that what do you call it, the media and all that stuff, man. This is more important to me than that.
Q
I hear that Roberto Garcia sounds very motivated. Is that any surprise to you that he is putting so much weight on this fight being able to change his life? So, basically, it feels like he knows you’re a big name and he’s going to be able to take advantage of that and try to pull his career to the next level.
S. Porter
No, not at all. I’m not surprised. I know he’s working hard. I know he’s doing what he thinks he should be doing to get ready for this fight. I understand that he’s had a rough life and I am familiar with him and his upbringing and all that. So I expect him to treat this fight as if it’s the biggest fight of his life, as he has said. So, again, we treat every fight like it’s the biggest fight of our lives. So, we’ve done the same things we always do: work extremely hard in camp. That way the fight is not easy but we’re coming in there doing everything we can do to win that fight.
Q
Now, we had interviewed you over this past weekend obviously because you were live at the fight and you had mentioned studying some Pacquiao tapes and picking up different things that he does with angles that you’re going to try to implement into this fight. But it seems that Roberto Garcia is the style that you would want to resort to the old Shawn Porter, the one that’s right there in front of his men because this guy isn’t going to hold you.
S. Porter
A couple things. I think that quote that I made was kind of out of context. I was asked what did I take from the camp with Manny, so there’s nothing; I haven’t watched a Manny Pacquiao fight in some time now, since his very last fight. So, I don’t think I’m actually implementing anything that I’ve learned from him for this particular fight.
And the other thing, too, is there is no old or new Shawn Porter. There’s only one Shawn Porter. I’m a very versatile fighter, so in this fight you will see a lot of different things. You’re going to see everything that works, everything that’s going to be what we think is going to win this fight. There’s going to be a lot of sass stuff, a lot of quick stuff and a lot of powerful stuff. So, you’re going to get it all. You’re going to get all the Showtime Shawn Porter this fight.
Q
I wanted to ask you, do you feel that you’re going to be able to overpower Shawn Porter being as though that you fought as high as 160? And, you’ve come down gradually to 147, so you’ve basically changed your body for this division. So naturally, one would assume you’re the stronger fighter.
R. Garcia
Yes, I feel fine. Again, I fought in middle weight, at welterweight. I don’t know about that, just I think my mind, I only see things in fighting is not about weight class. Mentally, I think I have a lot of mental strength to do things in life, in the ring and whatever it is in front of me, man. I’m not there to be cute. I’m there to get the job done. Do you know what I mean?
It’s like one of my sparring partners, a real good sparring partner [indiscernible] he told me himself, he said, “Man, you’re like a street fighter. [Indiscernible].” I appreciate that honesty from him. It’s like I do what I have to do to win, bro. I do what I have to at any means. It’s amazing that I’m even here talking to you guys right now, that I’m here at this fight, because I always say, and I mean it with all my heart that I’m not even supposed to be here, man.
Q
It seems like from the beginning of this call that’s been your motivation and your drive, the fact that you know this fight can catapult you, you and your family, to just a whole other life. Could you just speak on that a little?
R. Garcia
Yeah, I mean, this fight here, it’s a beautiful thing that I’m fighting a very known opponent, a fighter like Shawn because being with Shawn Porter, man, people know who you are, people will say things like that. “Did you see that guy that beat Shawn Porter?” That’ll be everything you need as far as boxing goes. To me, this is a fight like this is a fight and I’m here to fight, boss. I am here to fight, believe me on Friday, I’m here to fight, man. And we’re in shape. I’m so ready for this. I just [indiscernible], man. Me and my people, my people, my support team, I mean that and my corner and my people and just honestly we’re just kind of dazed, man. It’s beautiful, man, that we’re here.
D. Schwarz
We’re now going to have Andre Berto and Josesito Lopez available for you guys.
Q
How’re you doing? This question actually is for Andre and Josesito, and I asked something similar to Shawn Porter, but this is especially I think for you guys because you guys have a reputation of being action-packed fighters. After having seen the production and everything that took place with the first PBC event, do you guys feel any pressure or extra added pressure to really shine in front of the Spike TV audience? You’ve got a Friday night spot. How are you approaching it? Has anything changed since you watched what happened on Saturday night?
Josesito Lopez
This is Josesito. I’ll answer that question first. No, nothing has changed. All the preparation was done previous. Our game plan, our strategy, all that was done throughout the last few weeks, so we work on things up until the week of the fight and as far as game plans, there’s a mindset. Everything still remains the same and we’re two warriors going at it come Friday night.
Andre Berto
I thought the production was great. I think the production was great. I don’t think it was added pressure, you know what I mean? I mean, and everybody that sees me fight, and everybody that sees Lopez fight, it doesn’t matter we’re fighting in front of an amazing production or we fight on the street, we’re going to go ahead and put these fireworks in. That’s it.
At the end of the day, I think with the first show, it was great, but I’m pretty sure this show here is going to be a little more exciting on both ends because you’ve got two action-packed fights, guys that are motivated and ready to go. Like I said, I don’t think there’s going to be no added pressure at all, especially on this end because we’ve had a tremendous camp. We’ve had a tremendous camp and like I said, man, Friday night is around the corner, man. We just want to put this work in and that’s it.
Q
You’re looking at each other and not to continue to draw back to last week, but obviously there’s a correlation there. We didn’t have any stoppages in the first event. Are you guys both looking to stop the other?
A. Berto
I mean, at the end of the day, man, it’s like we’re just trying to be [indiscernible] as we can. At the end of the day we want to come out with a win. That’s the most important thing. Even put your mind in a [indiscernible] or stoppage, if you want, but if you want to try to stay focused on that and something else happens, and you’re out of luck. The most important thing right now is just to make sure to get the win and look spectacular doing it.
J. Lopez
Well, we prepared for all the rounds, like any smart fighter, I think, that you don’t necessarily look for a knockout. If the situation permits then you go in for the kill, but this is definitely one of those fights that it could end at any point, either side. We’re two strong fighters that are willing to exchange, so we’re definitely prepared and if a knockout comes then it can come. It’s definitely going to be action-packed.
Q
Hey, look, I know I asked you this a couple weeks ago, but just how are you a different fighter now than you were in the past?
A. Berto
Man, if you haven’t watched me and watched all the shit that I’ve been through this last year, year-and-a-half, you’re going to have no choice, man, but to be a different fighter, a different person, a different man. Do you know what I’m saying?
I mean, this whole experience that I went through being in the situation of just injuries here and there, especially after my last situation of tearing my shoulder during the second round with Karass, just going through that rehab, I didn’t think I was going to be able to be in this position to fight anymore, to be honest. I thought my career was probably going to be over because the injury, like I said, I’ve never been through anything like that in my life and it was just so taxing on me, and I really had to learn how to use my right hand, my right arm all over again. It took me a year, a year-and-a-half, you know what I mean?
And when a man goes through that, when he goes through those type of obstacles and he doesn’t have any choice but to stay focused and stay prayed up and seek God on a lot of different angles and areas, you don’t have no choice but to be a different man, a different animal. Do you know what I’m saying? It was just a whole different life for me; it was a whole different life for me, a whole different motivation for me.
Right after my last fight I was in the gym like a week-and-a-half, probably a week, shit, probably three, four days after fight time. There was no vacation for me, man. I was just so excited just to be back and when you’re in a position when you get your gift taken away from you like that and you get into a point that you can get it back and you really cherish it and you pull out all stops to try to make sure that it’s possible.
I came into this camp about like five or six pounds overweight. I came into camp and shit. Do you know what I mean? Like I said, my mindset, my mindset, my motivation, my determination, everything is just different. Do you know what I’m saying?
Q
Do you see any need or have you implemented any kind of a game plan to tweak your style a little bit so that you box a little bit. Have you and [indiscernible] worked on a game plan that incorporates a little bit more boxing for this fight?
A. Berto
Of course, of course. And you know, we implemented a lot of different things. I just had a lot of different issues in those fights that we definitely had to work on. I mean, that was also one of my reasons for coming over here. I was with my old coach and we did great things. We did great things together, me and Tony Morgan, but the technical aspect which we lacked because we’re in the position that I just had tremendous talent, tremendous athleticism and we just fed off that. Do you know what I’m saying? We just went our whole careers, amateurs and pros, just doing what we do because we just had everything that says just to be whoever just because of that’s what we depended on. We didn’t really depend on the technical aspect of boxing. That’s when I knew something was wrong – do you know what I mean – when I got in certain situations that we never had practiced on or we never really did that.
So the thing is, he’s ridiculously meticulous and very, very technical. We work on a lot of different situations that come up in the ring attack-wise and just defense, all the way around the board. We definitely just worked all the way around and like I said, we’re in tremendous shape and we just, like I said, we just can’t wait to just put it all together, man, and I think in time you’re going to be able to see all a complete fighter in Andre Berto.
Q
I guess piggybacking on that, what improvements did you feel you’ve demonstrated in your last fight against Stephen Upsher Chambers? What did you like about that performance and what do you feel you can improve on?
A. Berto
I had to be realistic with the Chamber fight it was just fighting to get back in. A lot of people were happy to see me establish my jab like I did. When I got in a situation to finally get into the gym my right hand was still, my right arm [indiscernible] I still couldn’t punch it. The only thing I could use was my jab, so we worked a lot with the left hand – jabs, hooks, whatever the case may be. Like I say, it was just a fight to basically just brush off a lot of the cobwebs, but definitely, use a lot more of my legs and just establish my jab a lot more in that fight and testing out my right hand, making sure it launched off whenever I wanted it to go.
Q
Do you believe that Berto is capable of boxing you, will box you, or do you believe at some point he will stand in front of you and you will be able to make him stand in front of you and that would be to your advantage?
J. Lopez
I’m not sure if he is or not. I just know what I can do and what I’ve prepared myself for. I’ve prepared myself for the best Andre Berto that we’ve seen and we know he’s a warrior and he fights the entire fight. We’ve prepared well, so no matter what, I’m here to fight and I’m going in there looking to fight.
We worked on training camp and that’s what training camp is for, to adapt to different situations, different scenarios inside the ring, so like most fighters, we’ve got to plan for anything that comes up in the fight.
Q
Okay. You do have a common opponent in Victor Ortiz whom he lost to, and you’ve succeeded. Do you gain anything at all? I know you’re not basing everything on it, but do you gain anything from similar situations in those fights, watching those fights, comparing them to each other?
J. Lopez
Absolutely nothing, really, other than the fact that he’s obviously a warrior, he has a big heart and he’s willing to fight through anything. Other than that, we’re fighting a different fight. This is a different fight. There’s a different fighter. Me and him, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to look like Victor Ortiz or it doesn’t mean that it isn’t either, so we don’t really take much from that other than what he showed, which is a big heart and willing to fight to the end.
Q
Okay. I do want to say, at some point in the fight do you expect him to be in front of you, at some point?
J. Lopez
Yeah, yes, I do, and if he’s not in front of me we’re going to look for him, but I think we’re both going to be fighting a smart fight and I think that no matter what I think we’re both fighters. That’s the thing, we’re both fighters and when the going gets tough we only know one way, and that’s to fight our way out.
Q
Josesito, you had those two losses to Canelo and Marcos Maidana back in 2012 and 2013. You’ve had three fights since then that you’ve won, but this is your first real step back up in competition. How much do you feel was taken out of you, if anything, in those losses and how much has it helped coming back the way that you have over the past year-and-a-half?
J. Lopez
I had three really big fights back-to-back-to-back. Tough fights. Canelo is just overmatched as far as size. Really, really big fighter and I was in over my head as far as weight and size, but you leave every loss or fight behind you. You try to learn from it, whether it’s a win or a loss, and you move. You move forward. Every fight’s a different fight. Every fighter fights a different style. So, we prepare to whatever fight is up and leave any bad experience as far as loss behind you.
Q
Physically speaking, did it help kind of coming back the way that you did after those tough fights with Canelo and Maidana?
J. Lopez
Yeah, I think training camp for big fights, three in a row, takes a toll on your body. You definitely need a rest. My management forced me to take a break, take a rest, and I fought three fights in, so I feel fresh and I feel like I’m ready to step in with the big dogs and do it again. I feel as fresh as I could be. I feel like I’m ready for big fights now.
Q
Okay. Where does a win over Andre Berto this Friday land you and conversely, where does a loss land you?
J. Lopez
Well, I think a victory come March 13th really opens every single door in the welterweight division in boxing right now. There’s definitely a lot of competition, plenty of fighters, so it opens all doors. A loss, we would have to take another step back. I think that’s what adds a bigger incentive for this fight and more motivation for both of us fighters because we can’t afford to step back. That’s what motivates me and excites me a lot more for this fight, even before the fight was announced, that this is the fight that we need and this is the fight that fans can be talking about for a long time.
Q
Andre, where does a win over Josesito Lopez bring you to and where does a loss land you?
A. Berto
Of course, I mean, a win just puts me right back in contention. Like I said, I’ve been out before for a good amount of time because of my injuries and I came back with a nice win. And that’s why I think probably this fight will put me back in contention. And a loss, that’s not on my mind right now. Of course, something like that, was to happen, I mean, but it hasn’t been in our focus all camp. We don’t even speak on that, so I’m not even speaking on that type of situation. But of course, a win would definitely put me right back in contention, right back in the mix.
Q
Basically, it’s going to be a question for both you and Josesito Lopez. With Lopez having a victory over Victor Ortiz and you being defeated by Ortiz, did that have a roll in the thought process in picking him as your opponent?
A. Berto
A lot of people have been saying that but no, not really. I don’t believe so at all. When the fight was made I agreed on it and that’s something that I, yeah, I mean, that’s something that went through my head, that’s something that, that’s a challenge that I want. I said okay, this kid, it was a good fight and [indiscernible] with Ortiz he was able to do something that I didn’t. So, let’s get it. Let’s make it happen, let’s get it, because of course, that’s a fight, that’s a fight that I feel I want, I believe that’s a fight that the fans still want as well with me and Ortiz, but now I’m fighting a guy that beat him. So, I need to get that.
Q
What would be more appealing to you, going after a title or avenging the loss against Victor Ortiz, of course if you get past Josesito Lopez?
A. Berto
Right now, [indiscernible] right now, folks, all I want to fight is against Lopez. That’s it. I’m not thinking about anything else. I’m not thinking about anybody else. Our focus is on fighting against Lopez. That’s it.
Q
Josesito Lopez, will it be extra motivation for you having a victory, a brutal victory over Victor Ortiz, breaking his jaw, fighting Andre Berto?
J. Lopez
I think just us being able to defeat Berto I think would be a good victory, a great victory. Victor Ortiz is old news. We saw him already. That’s behind me. That’s a fight that helped me be in the position that I am today. That’s in my past. I don’t really think about that fight, but now I’ve got a big fight and probably even bigger fight in Andre Berto, so that’s my motivation right there.
Q
Okay. And one final question for Andre. Will you be fighting multiple times this year, more than twice this year?
A. Berto
I’m not sure. Like I said, I know I’m fighting one time right now, and that’s Friday night. That’s it. Yes, I’m not sure. Like I say, I have everything focused on Friday night right now. That’s it.
Q
Your career obviously has had a lot of ups and downs and there have been a lot of stories written about you about not reaching your potential, but there haven’t been a lot of stories written about everything that you’ve really been through. Do you think your career has been misunderstood about even going back to 2010 with the Haitian earthquake, a lot of people, they just get a handful of all of what’s really been going on with me and this is my life in general, man. I’m just like you said, there’s been a lot of ups and downs. It’s been a rollercoaster. It’s been a situation that I’ve known for sure a lot of just people or just fighters, in general, they wouldn’t able to handle. Do you know what I’m saying?
A. Berto
I mean, and there’s a lot of things. Like you said, me, I haven’t been talked about it, I haven’t been explained out there beyond the scenes, outside of the boxing world. That has definitely affected the boxing aspect things for me.
But, like I said, it is what it is. I mean, these people, they don’t like to hear, they don’t want to hear anything. The only thing they want to hear is victory. That’s it. That’s it. That’s it and that’s the type of game that we’re in. So, that’s something that [indiscernible] that’s something that you have to prepare for and if you’re not prepared for it it’ll slap you in the face. It’s either going to make you or break you.
Q
Do you remember the last time when you were 100% mentally and physically in the ring, where you didn’t have any distractions, injuries or anything else going on?
A. Berto
Man, it’s a year now. It’s definitely been a while, but this right here has definitely been one of my best camps I’ve had probably in the last few years for sure. Yes, but like you said, in the past, definitely going through a lot of situations leading to fights. I’ve actually fought a few times with, like I say, with situations I just don’t tell people about. I mean, fractured hands and broken this and broken that, and anyway. A day after fight time or two or three days after fight time I just go back home to Florida and have surgery. Do you know what I mean? That’s just the way I’ve always been. That’s just the way I’ve been brought up. You always just go hard or go home. Man, that’s it. As long as we know we put it all out there and we put our heart out there and just lay it all out there for the people. I mean, that’s it, man.
Q
A question for Josesito. Considering everything that Berto’s been through, do you have any idea what to really expect because we’ve never really seen him at 100%?
J. Lopez
Do you know what? We’ve seen a really good Andre Berto in previous fights. We prepare for the best that we’ve seen and we can only hope that our best can match his best, but we prepare as a fighter ourselves and hope that all the hard work that we’ve put in can be put into effect come fight night.
Q
One other question for you, Josesito. We talk about being entertaining and you’ve seen the fight between Broner and Molina where it didn’t seem like Molina could pull the trigger and he kind of followed Broner around and it ended up being a lackluster fight. For you, is it important to be entertaining regardless of winning or losing? Because like people have said, a lot of people who will watch this fight will have never really watched boxing before, so this is an opportunity to entertain and maybe put on a performance win or lose that people remember.
J. Lopez
No, on fight night I’m not worried. I never really think about entertaining. I think that’s something that just comes natural if you’re a fighter, then you’re entertaining. That comes naturally. I fight with my heart and at times it’s probably not the best of plans, but that’s the only thing I know what to do, that’s to fight, and when the going gets tough I only know how to fight my way out.
Thankfully, I think most fans appreciate that and love to see something like that. So I just fight and it’s entertaining to people.
Q
First question for Andre. Andre, it seems only just a few days ago you started fighting, but the actual truth, of course, you’re 31. This is going to be your 30th fight. We know everything that’s gone on in your career. Do you expect this fight to sort of be – would it be fair to say this could be the start of another stage in your career, sort of Andre Berto 2.0?
A. Berto
Definitely, definitely. Just like you said, man, it feels like just yesterday I turned pro and now we got I don’t know, ten years, maybe ten years plus in the game. It’s been a rollercoaster.
Now, like I said, just like you said, it’s probably just a new chapter in my career, definitely, focus-wise, determination-wise and just having this new platform and just having this new platform and just having a great opponent to share that platform with and put an exciting show on. Of course, I believe, I mean, just like you said, I believe it’s a new chapter in my career.
Q
How important for you has it been to be in a family with so many people involved in combat sports and martial arts because everybody’s career has ups and downs in these sports? It’s the nature of them. How important has that been for you as you went through this stage?
A. Berto
Oh, man, it’s been very, very, very important, because my people, they understand, everybody has been to fight combat and some are still in it. My brothers, my sisters, my father, cousins and friends, they have been in the fight business, so they understand, especially when I went through a lot of my ups and downs. They were there to comfort me, they were there to motivate me, they were there to push me through. A lot of other people, they probably wouldn’t have understood. Do you know what I mean? They probably wouldn’t have understood because they don’t understand this fight game, they don’t understand the passion that we have for it and they don’t understand just the mindset that goes along with it.
So, it was definitely important, man. It was definitely important. I appreciate them for it and I love them even more for it and I definitely felt the love just more than ever, if I can say that, within this last year-and-a-half, two years going through a lot of the things that I’ve been through.
Q
Now, outside of the ring you were also involved in recently organizing the Black Out Boxing events. Are you going to be continuing with that? Obviously, this fight’s just coming up, but after this fight?
A. Berto
Yes. Yes, of course. I believe, like anybody that knows me, man, they know I’m involved with a lot of other things outside the ring, as well. I believe that you have a certain platform for a reason. I think boxing is just scratching the surface and its important to keep pushing the Black Out Boxing. I’m going to continue pushing my foundation stuff that I have as well for the Haiti situation, for the generosity and all the places we’re putting these clean water wells and water in different countries.
Like I said, I believe that this is what we’re meant to be here for. We have this platform for a reason and I believe it’s just selfish, it’s just selfish to have this platform and keep it all to yourself. I believe that we’re blessed for a reason, man, and I’m trying to take full advantage of it.
Q
I hope you do well. I hope to get more information about that. And a question for Josesito. Where do you see Andre at this point because we’ve all known the ups and downs of his career? He’s at a different stage and he’s looking to sort of use this fight as a launching pad for the second stage of his career. How are you going to react to that in terms of what you do?
J. Lopez
Yes. I think with a victory against me and I feel the same way. We’re both in the same position. I think that’s what makes this fight exciting, that we both have a lot to lose and a lot to gain. So, I think when the fight was announced, every fan that knows boxing knows that this is going to be a fight that’s going to be talked about for a long time because I feel like we’re in the same position. We both have a lot to gain from it, and we’re both not willing to take a step back.
