Saturday night on HBO is an intriguing doubleheader taking place from Mexico, with Alfredo Angulo taking on James Kirkland, and Peter Quillin taking on Craig McEwan. All four of the fighters involved got on a conference recently to discuss their upcoming fights and their training. Take a look at what everyone had to say right here.
Monica Sears
First, I’d like to welcome everyone to today’s call and wish everyone a Happy Halloween. As Bricelda said, we have Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin along with Craig McEwan on the line. After their portion of the call we will have Alfredo Angulo and James Kirkland on the line to talk about this weekend’s HBO Boxing After Dark double header. I’d like to turn the call over to the President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar de la Hoya. Oscar.
Oscar de la Hoya
Thank you very much, Monica. Once again we are extremely excited and thrilled, this card, Saturday night, November 5th live from Cancun, Mexico will be televised on HBO Boxing After Dark, which will air at 10:15pm ET/PT on HBO here in the U.S. and Televisa airing the fight in Mexico. This card is being promoted in association with Quequinewspapers, which is headed by Pepe Gomez, who we appreciate his hard work. We are thrilled because these two fights on HBO are two great fights. Our match maker, Eric Gomez, and Robert Diaz did a tremendous job in putting together a great card for us. First off, I would like to introduce to you the co-main events of the evening; the first fight that will be televised on HBO seems to be a good one.
First off, I would like to introduce to you a fighter who is 29 years old, he’s a south paw, he’s a top middleweight contender, he’s coming off a tremendous, tremendous fight in March where he fought a top contender in Andy Lee. We are thrilled to be having on the call with us today. He is from Edinburgh, Scotland, with a record of 19-1 and 10 knockouts. He will be facing Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin. I would like to introduce to you Craig McEwan to talk to you about his fight against Peter “Kid Chocolate.” Craig, say a few words about your upcoming fight.
Craig McEwan
I think it’s going to be the biggest fight of my life. I had a good showing in HBO in March, and really just fell short in the last round. So I’m confident that I can go in there and improve my performance. I know Peter is a good guy. We have to fight, it’s just that we’re in the same weight division and that’s what happens. I’m looking forward to being on HBO again, it’s fantastic. So I’m ready to go, just waiting to go. Thank you.
O. de la Hoya
All right, thank you very much, Craig. He’ll be facing also a top contender, hailing out of Brooklyn, New York, which he’s now training out of the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood. He is an undefeated top middleweight rising star. He does have knockout power. He’s fought the likes of Dennis Sharpe and Jesse Greensley. He’s 28 years old, looking to take his career to the next level, and obviously he’s making his HBO Boxing After Dark debut, so this is a tremendous opportunity for both fighters. He has a record of 25-0, with 19 knockouts, and I would like to present to you Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin. Peter?
P. Quillin
Hello, how are you doing? I want to thank you guys for having me perform November 5th. I want to give a big thanks to my promotion team, Golden Boy, for bringing me the best opportunities out there. I want to thank my whole team, Freddie Roach, Eric Brown, my conditioning trainer, Brad Bowles, and I just want to thank all those guys for giving me such a great camp this camp. I want to thank my mom who came in during camping and made sure that all the food I was eating was good food, and I’m looking forward November 5th to be the start of my career. Every step that I take is a step up the ladder and I’ve never tried to be disrespectful towards any fighter. I respect any fighter that I step in the ring with. Craig McEwan is that other step for me to step in the ring with and I’m looking across the ring and Craig is going to look at me and I’m going to look at Craig, and this is the type of fight that fight fans love to see. Craig will put everything on the line, I’ll put everything on the line, and this is a fight to be made. I’m glad to have this opportunity. I never took anybody lightly, so I took Craig like he’s a world champion and with this fight you’re going to see what hard work is all made of. Thank you, guys.
O. de la Hoya
Thank you very much, Peter. This fight, what it means to both fighters is taking it to the next level. Whichever fighter wins this fight obviously goes on and gets closer to that world title, so we’re very excited.  We know we’ll get a tremendous fight from both young fighters. And now we can open it up to questions from the media.
M. Sears
Our first question comes from Dan Rafael with ESPN.
Q
Thank you very much. Hello, everybody. The first question is for Peter. Peter, I know you’ve had some layoffs in your career, mainly due to injuries and that sort of thing. First of all, can you talk about the frustration level of that during the time where you were having long, long periods where you didn’t have fights, and now to be back and apparently on a good, regular schedule the last number of months and to get an opportunity to fight in a significant televised fight; your feelings about that.
P. Quillin
I can never rush anything and I never can be negative about any situation. I took me having the layoffs as a sign of what God was trying to give me. He was trying to give me experience. He was trying to give me a humble mind. He was trying to give me, be in focus, so with those injuries it kind of helped me, sitting out, being able to watch other boxers and being able to gain the experience of being a professional boxer. So with that being said, I knew exactly where I was headed at. I couldn’t have more to ask for than coming back with all those injuries and still fighting and being on one of the biggest platforms out there, HBO Boxing.
Q
Peter, what were your injuries specifically?
P. Quillin
I had a hand injury with my right thumb; that took me out, then I had appendicitis, and then I had a fracture all over the bone. I was sparring WBO Cruiserweight Champion of the World and a lot of people asked why you were in there with a guy like that. You just need a guy that can stand in there with me and I get the good work that I need. So by all means, Jim was a nice fighter and everything like that, so it happened the way it happened. I don’t have any regrets about it or any doubts about it. I’ve moved on from there and I put that behind me, but I know 2012 is going to be one of my biggest years yet.
Q
Was that fighter you mentioned, was that Marco Huck or Guillermo Jones?
P. Quillin
Guillermo Jones.
D. Rafael
Okay, WBA Champion. I thank you and wish you good luck in that.
P. Quillin
Thank you.
Q
Craig, in your last fight, the other HBO fight against Andy Lee that Oscar mentioned in the introductory remarks, I think a lot of people thought at the time during the fight that you were ahead in that fight until what happened at the end there. Have you gone back and looked at that? And if so, what did you gain from the experience of that loss? Did you also think that you were winning the fight before you got knocked out?
C. McEwan
I was watching it back on tape it looked like I was winning and and we were speeding it up towards the end but I think it had to do with my conditioning, but he caught me. He got the shot and the fight’s over. But thinking about like the fight before that, before this one and just to get over it. But I think I’ve lived and learned and we all know what Peter can do, so I’m ready for that. I’ve been there. I’ve been in the battles and I’ve stuck in there.. But yes, I think I’ve learned a lot.
Q
Good afternoon, gentlemen. My question’s for Craig. Peter, I know Maxboxing’s already interviewed you, so I’m going to keep my questions to Craig. Craig, coming out of this last fight, some of the lead up to it, your conditioning had been a question. And I know Steve Cam had some interviews with you about it that you weren’t always quite happy with your conditioning, that you turned a corner with the Lee fight, that you had to be in absolutely top condition. Talk to me a little bit about what you’ve done heading into this fight. Have you kept that going? Did you stay in training? What’s your condition like heading into this fight?
C. McEwan
I’ve been in top condition for a long while now. But I’ve obviously left and I went back to my dad’s gym and I’m getting trained by my close friend and an old rival, Gary Young. He knows his stuff and he’s got me in the best shape possible for this fight. I’m confident that I’ve got the condition to go all the way and I’m just looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity and I’ll be there with both hands.
Q
How long have you been in Mexico?
C. McEwan
I’ve been here for two and a half weeks.
Q
How much sparring have you gotten with Alfredo?
C. McEwan
Well, I really like to spar every day, so every day, a day off on Sunday, six days a week.
Q
You faced a puncher boxer in Lee in your last fight. In this fight, though, you’re facing more of a pure boxer. We’re not sure if Peter’s really a pure puncher yet, he hasn’t faced that high level competition so we’ll find out more in this fight. Have you faced anybody, though, with his skill set, his speed and athleticism?
C. McEwan
It’s a big step up for me and as I say, I’m ready. I’ve got the experience, I’ve been in there with tough guys, tough Mexican guys, and they can really take it right to the limit. I’m looking forward to it again, and I think Peter can punch so you just have to be ready. I think it’s going to be a great fight.
Q
And the last thing, if there’s a lesson that you could take out of the Lee fight and carry into this fight what is it?
C. McEwan
Well, the mistake I made there was I was maybe standing too long and creating punches for too long towards the end and I was getting tired a little bit, I think. But I did throw a lot of punches, I think in that fight, a tremendous amount of punches, and I just got caught in the end. I know what I’ve got to do in this fight, the preparations went well, so as I say, I’m just looking forward to going in there and putting on a good performance.
Q
The first question is for Craig. Craig, obviously you’ve heard people talking about the Lee fight, given your performance what are you hearing from your critics in terms of where you stand in the division? And then what is your opinion on what separates you or what put you in the elite class of the division?
C. McEwan
I think after the first time will know where I stand, and I think that’s good. People say you’re only as good as your last fight, but I think my last fight I put in a great performance as well, but in boxing you get caught and then it’s all over. Those mistakes have been fixed, and I’ve had a really good training camp and I’m ready for this one.
Q
Peter, it’s been, I guess, widely publicized that you were part of, and have been part of an all-star training regimen the last few months with Freddie Roach, Pacquiao, and all the other guys that were there. Can you tell me what who did you spar with and what’s your experience you gained from that?
P. Quillin
From leaving Colorado Springs and working with the Olympic team, Jesse Hart, Marcus Rolf, and Stan Nyland, to going to New York sparring Ronson Frank, undefeated light heavyweight in sparring, undefeated super middleweight Lennox Allen, to coming to Los Angeles and sparring the likes of Michael Medina, Roberto Garcia, and Vanes, I don’t know how to pronounce his last name, but just tons of great sparring helped me to get ready for this fight. I just want to say this, once you get in the habit of doing things, I’m saying as in hard work, it comes automatic for a guy like me. I love to feel like I have to throw up after a workout session, so going in there with these different guys sparring them, it challenged me to want to get better and better and better.  I’m on a goal to try to be the best. I’m good enough right now, and I understand that I have to have some more names on my record, but by all means I’m working towards getting to be one of the best out there and I’m not going to stop until that happens.
Q
What kind of performance, do you need a knockout in this fight? Do you need to do better than Andy Lee in your mind to establish yourself as that elite fighter?
P. Quillin
To be honest, that’s up to the critics to go judge for themselves. All I’m going to do November 5th is get in there and do what I know how to do, and that’s be “Kid Chocolate.” I’ve been a very dominating force because I work so hard, have a good work ethic, so I know going into the fight I made the training camp harder than what I think the fight is going to be. By all means, I’m not taking anything away from Craig, but this is my opportunity, I know what’s at stake, and I worked hard to get here, so I’m not going to take anything for granted.
Q
Last question, how closely did you work at the Wild Card Gym, how closely did you work with Freddie Roach? Was there anything, if anything, that you learned or was imparted to you from him?
P. Quillin
I went to Freddie and said nobody knows Craig like you do, so I need you to have a lot more say, I know he lives in town and I know you were working with him here, and Freddie jumped up to the opportunity and said I will work, so having him having a lot of say, working on things when I’m sparring or having two different points of view where he’s talking back and forth with his assistant trainer that works with me, Eric Brown, so he had a lot of say in this camp. I had three weeks with him before I came to Wild Card in Colorado, with just one on one time with Freddie, so I had to say I had the most time with Freddie that I’ve had since I’ve been in California at the Wild Card Boxing Club.
Q
Hey, Peter, how’s it going? I just wanted to get your thoughts on, obviously the big move from coming to the east coast out to the west coast to train at the Wild Card. What was that experience like for you? I understand you also had hired a strength and conditioning coach, which is something that you’ve been seeing a lot at the Wild Card in particular. Can you describe what that’s been like? Have you noticed any differences in the way that you prepared and how you feel after set workouts?
P. Quillin
First of all, moving from New York to California has been the best decision I made for my career, along with signing with Golden Boy, who I know is going to bring the best opportunities my way. When you’re so comfortable in an environment you get used to it, you get complacent, so I had to step outside of my boundaries, come here to Wild Card, where you have real deal fighters here, and be uncomfortable. I think I like the work being uncomfortable because I challenge myself. So coming here, getting in there with top world-class fighters challenged me to understand where I’m at as a professional boxer. Now, bringing on a conditioner trainer, Eric Brown recommended Brad Bowles, who as you read a lot of the things that I do working on his Vortex machine, it gives me the muscle and endurance to lap a 15, 20 round fight. So I believe even besides boxing for pain you see glory, I’ve been in a lot of pain in my life, I’ve been just challenging myself, and I moved from my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan to New York City where exactly where I built up my whole career, so always I’ve put myself in an uncomfortable situation to go over and break down the challengers and see what’s ahead of me.
Q
We had talked previously, I know you had talked to one of our guys, Igor Frank out near Burbank a couple of weeks back, but you had mentioned that ultimately your target was not just the top middleweight, but ultimately Sergio Martinez, who is in need of opponents himself. But when you look at the landscape of the 160 pound division, you’ve got guys like Martinez and guys like Chavez out there, Macklin, obviously McEwan is also a top contender out there, is there a game plan for you going into this next year if you happen to get by Craig McEwan? You’re looking to go straight into a title match, I know Oscar just said you’d be a lot closer to it, but do you have your own game plan as to what you would like to do moving forward?
P. Quillin
My game plan, to be honest with you, is just to fight the best out there. My job is to be a fighter. I have my manager, John Seith, who will go over everything, the plan of what’s ahead of me. We have Golden Boy, who I know can bring me big opportunities, so I’m going to let them do their job and I’m going to let my managers do their job, and I’m going to do my part so when I step in the ring then I’m ready for any opportunity that comes my way.
Q
The first question is for Pete. What I want to ask you is this, you’ve come a long way in your career from starting out fighting on the local shows in New York and now you’re going to be on HBO. Is this, in your opinion, a breakout fight, a coming out party, the biggest fight in your career?
P. Quillin
Eddie, the reason why you can say that is because you’ve been following me for so many years, so I can honestly say no. The only reason why is because every opportunity for me is the biggest challenge of my career. I step out there to know that what’s at stake every time that I step out there. HBO, yes, it is a big opportunity, but I am comfortable. I’ve fought in the Garden five times, do you know what I’m saying, so I’ve always been placed on the big platform and there are always going to be high expectations, especially somebody with 25-0. So by all means, I look at this challenge like every other challenge. I’m ready. I’m focused. I’m fit. I’ve put the best into my training camp this fight, so what I will do in this fight will be easy.
Q
Do you think that Craig McEwan is going to be your toughest opponent, on paper anyway he has the best record of anybody that you’ve fought?
P. Quillin
What I would say, the reason why I would say yes is because Craig right now is on his second shot right now, it’s his second time fighting on HBO, and we all saw what happened against Andy Lee. I thought he was winning the fight. I was actually rooting for Craig. But by all means this is my first shot, he’s 19-1 and he has one stoppage to his credit against Andy Lee, but by all means I don’t know how to lose, Eddie. All I do is know how to win. I know how to get in there and have my heart pumping and my adrenaline pumping, know where my mind is set, and when being hurt against in the seventh round, when I sat down on the stool, I sat down and thought, oh my God this guy is trying to make me look bad in front of my hometown and I got back up and I swept the next three rounds knowing that I knew how to win. Do you know what I’m saying? So by all means I know Craig on paper is the best opponent in my fight, but I look at everybody like they’re the biggest opponent in my career.
Q
Okay, a question for Craig. Craig, as was mentioned before, you’re coming off the loss to Andy Lee. What do you think your advantages are against Pete Quillin? Pete’s coming in with an undefeated record and as you heard he said he doesn’t know how to lose. You went into the Lee fight with an undefeated record, so what do you think your advantages are in this fight?
C. McEwan
The experience I’ve had, I’ve been in the World Cup for six years as well, and I’ve sparred with, Winky Wright, and Mike, all these guys and I’ve learned so much. I’ve had a few…with them, but I’ve learned a lot. With 19 fights I think I’ve had a lot, you know, my last fight was really tough, really have to dig deep when I had to and I’ve come out. The Andy Lee fight was tough, but I showed that I could fight at the end. But I’ve learned from it and I’ve just bounced back. I think with this fight as long as I stick to my overall game plan
M. Sears
All right, thank you, Craig and Peter for taking the time out for this call and best of luck to you both next week, and at this time, Oscar, if we can introduce our second question with Alfredo Angulo and James Kirkland.
P. Quillin
Thank you so much. Thank you, Oscar. Thank you, Monica. And thank you, Craig, as well.
C. McEwan
O. de la Hoya
This fight should be exciting, both fighters are a class act. Both fighters are clean fighters. Both fighters are ready, so Craig McEwan and Peter Quillin we know is going to be a tremendous, tremendous, tremendous fight. Both know what’s at stake, so we’re definitely looking forward to this fight.
The main event is one fight that we’ve all been waiting for very patiently and it finally comes. This Saturday will be fireworks. This Saturday we’re probably going to be witnessing history in the making. I’m predicting another Dottie Ward type of trilogy. I’m predicting a type of fight where people are really going to enjoy and say what a wonderful sport boxing is.
This Saturday we will be having James Kirkland and Alfredo Angulo. James Kirkland, as we know, is a tremendous fighter, he has a record of 29-1 with 26 knockouts coming out of Austin, Texas. He’s rated number 15 on the WBC, a senior middleweight contender with wins over Ricardo Cortez, Brian Veira, and won the last four of his last fights all by knockout in less than two rounds. We know he has the punching power, we know he has the aggressive style to create such a tremendous, tremendous fight, and this is the opportunity. He knows this is his opportunity to once again climb that ladder into capturing that world title. So without any further ado, I would like to introduce to you, with a record of 29-1, 26 knockouts, out of Austin, Texas, James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland.
James Kirkland
Hey, how are you guys doing? First of all, I want to give thanks to God to be able to get out here and be able to do what I know how to do best. I want to thank Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions for giving me a second opportunity.
Okay, I just want to give everybody thanks to de la Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions, Mr. Schaefer and everybody, Michel Miller and everyone standing behind me and supporting me. One thing I’ve got to say as far as the training, we have a whole new style, a new way of eating, and everything worked out super-duper good. Right now I weigh 158 and the fight says 154, so I’ve got five days to lose four pounds, which is nothing. I feel super-duper tremendously good. I can’t say much more, but I just feel blessed and in top shape. I’m not underestimating anybody, a lot of people want to speak up on oh, you all did this, you all did that. Sparring is one thing but I got the best of it, but sparring is one thing and I’m not underestimating anybody and the difference between this fight and the fight is that I trained for this person and I know what he’s coming with and I know what type of game plan he likes. I know he’s a come forward fighter and that’s the same type of fighter I am. So we train to the utmost, to the max, because we know exactly what we’re getting ourselves into and then at the same time you’re trying to learn how to adjust to a new trainer, and I just want to be able to show the world that I deserve the opportunity to be able to be a world champion and this is it right here, to be able to show the world what I’m capable of.
O. de la Hoya
Thank you very much. Now, I would like to introduce to you his opponent, who hails out of Mexicali, Mexico. He’s rated number one by the WBC, super welterweight, and we obviously know he has an impressive style. He’s a knockout artist with one big punch. He’s professional since 2005 and his only loss came decision by Kermit Cintron and now he’s coming off of a five-fight winning streak, including victories over Harry Joe Yorgey, Joel Julio and Joachim Alcine and in his last fight in August, a win over Joseph Gomez. So he’s another fighter who knows what’s at stake, another fighter who is a strong puncher and in your face. This fight is either going to be compared to Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns, or it’s going to be a Gastti-Ward where you have a war for 12 rounds. So no matter what the outcome is, we know this fight is going to be a very, very entertaining and very great fight.
A. Angulo
First of all, thank you very much and thank you for being on this conference call. I want to give thanks to James Kirkland as well for accepting this fight. This is going to be a great fight.
Everything’s great, training’s been doing good, there’s been no surprises, everything’s going in order. Obviously there’s no issues with the weight, as always, and I’m just waiting to make weight on Friday and to get in the ring on Saturday and to make a great fight.
Q
This question is for Alfredo. Alfredo, can you tell me a little bit about your preparation with Nacho and if you think the fight is going to be a short fight?
A. Angulo
I’ve had great preparation. I found a great team, and Nacho obviously is heading the team, everything’s going good. Everything’s great. Nacho’s the kind of person that likes to push his fighters, and I like to work hard, so we’re working hand-in-hand. I’m preparing for 12 rounds. I’m not sure if it’s going to end early or not or if it’s going to go to decision, but I’m prepared for 12 rounds like always.
Q
My question is for James. First off, James, how are you feeling? I know you’ve had an intense training camp and haven’t been talking to the media. What was your reasoning for that?
J. Kirkland
My reasons for that would be because I know what type of fight that I’m bringing myself into and I want to put all my knowledge and all my power, all my abilities as far as fight wise, and focus on nothing but on the fight. I want to be able to give my all, all my concentration, all my motivation, all my focus in the game as far as strengthening and as far as speed, power, a total contact fight. I trained for that. I’ve had over 17, 18 sparring partners that flew from all around the world, and I’m very, very happy because when I started off in the training camp a lot of things weren’t there, and then as far as with my team being able to sit down and get prepared for the fight and making sure we are ready and knock him out and ensure that I touched every obstacle, and anything can happen in the fight and you have to be prepared for, and that’s what I’ve done. That’s the reason why I wasn’t so much talking to the media and everybody has to say this and everybody’s going to say that, but there are only two people that are going to get into that ring on November 5th and that’s me and Alfredo Angulo.
Q
Coming out of the Ashida loss there were a lot of questions about you, people questioning your chin, your commitment to the sport, have you answered those questions for yourself in this camp, and do you think that you’re really a different guy training under Ann Wolfe versus with Kenny Adams?
J. Kirkland
I tell you, I’m taking nothing away from Kenny Adams, he has a certain style that he teaches his fighters, but I’m a totally different fighter. I’m a press fighter. I’m a pound-for-pound fighter. I’m an all-around fighter. But when it comes to being able to be pushed to the next level, I got that from Ann Wolfe. I didn’t get that from Kenny Adams. So the whole not enough sparring, not enough work, not the best conditioning, anybody can drop to a certain weight if they’re motivated, but to be able to have all the tools to be able to do it you have to be trained by a person that you feel comfortable with, the person has to be at the same level. And that’s how it was with Ann Wolfe. But in the Ashida fight I was nowhere near prepared for that fight. People say, oh, he doesn’t have a chance, or he doesn’t have this or he doesn’t have that. I didn’t train the way I’m training for this fight. I didn’t spar basically the same time. It’s a different type of strategy for a different type of fight. And the strategy that I used for the Ashida fight was nowhere near there. My timing was off. My movement was off. Nothing was prepared for the fight.
Q
What do you think is the most dangerous thing with Angulo? I know you guys have sparred before and you said you only sparred one round, and I’ve heard as many as six rounds. How familiar are you with him, and what do you worry most about with him?
J. Kirkland
The thing with Angulo, he’s a surprising fighter. He can try to pull out different types of strategies, but the main thing that he likes to do is he comes forward. And one thing that Kirkland is prepared for, I’m prepared for battle. I’m prepared to go 12, 13 as many rounds as possible, but one thing we know it only goes 12, we will see who’s going to be strongest or who’s going to put out more effort and more work, I’m going to be able to show the world what I’m capable to be able to do. I know what I trained for. I know what this fight brings to the table. I know what my next fight is looking forward to. But if this all turns out right, my mind frame is to destroy, seek and destroy and use class and skill with it. And that’s how the fight’s going to go.
Q
One last thing, I don’t want to hog up the whole call. Does it favor you because you only fought a minute and a half in two years, does it favor you for the fight to go long, or do you expect a short fight?
J. Kirkland
I don’t care how long it goes. I know what I did in preparation for this fight. If Angulo can take what I’m giving, I’m willing to give this all 12 rounds. We’re trying to see who’s driving a V-6 and who’s driving a V-8, and who’s driving a V-12 and who’s going to put out the most power and the most energy for this fight. I know what I’m capable of doing, so that’s what all shows in the ring.
Q
Can you ask Alfredo, like Gabriel just brought up when he was asking James about the fact that Alfredo has only had about less than a round in the last couple of years. Can you ask him how does he think that will impact him, if at all, and how frustrating was it for him to go through that long period of time where he was not able to have a fight.
A. Angulo
Yes, first of all, the layoff was very, very frustrating and I blame one person. I blame one person, I don’t want to name any names, but one person that didn’t want to fight me when there were opportunities for me to fight. There were different situations where I could have fought, but that one person, for whatever reason, did not want to fight me because I guess he wanted to punish me, so he didn’t fight me. As far as affecting me and just only fighting one and a half rounds, I train hard. I train hard and I proved it on August 20th that was supposed to be a tough fight, but I was ready, I was in great shape, I was strong, and I ended up finishing the fight early. So you guys, I’ve always said that I was born to fight, and I think that I’m going to prove it again on Saturday night and you guys are going to see for yourselves that I was born to fight.
Q
Eric, when you said “there was somebody that didn’t want to fight me,” I took that to mean that he’s not thinking about another boxer that wouldn’t fight him. I took that to mean that another person who would not put him into a fight.
Eric Gomez
Yes, that’s what he said.
Q
Okay. So I take that to mean his former promoter, even if he doesn’t want to name names, not another boxer, but another person involved in his career.
E. Gomez
You said it. I didn’t.
Q
Okay, fair enough. My other question for Alfredo is this, the last time that James was in a fight that people thought was a bigger fight, was when he was on Pay-per-view and he did get knocked out in the first round. We all know Alfredo is a strong puncher and has finished lots of guys early, so when he sees his opponent got knocked out in one round the last time he fought a halfway decent opponent, is he sort of just licking his chops to get in there and think he can do that same thing coming off of his own KO win?
A. Angulo
Okay. He said, look, honestly I don’t know how long the fight is going to go. I don’t know if it’s going to go the distance or if it’s going to end early. I think that James had a bad night, and every fighter has a bad night. I know this for sure that whenever someone’s going to fight me, whenever someone’s going to fight El Perro they prepare well. They prepare like never before. And I’m sure that James is going to be in the best shape ever. So I can’t really say whether it’s going to end early or not, but I know that it’s going to be a great fight.
Q
I want to know if he’s licking his chops, though, because of the fact that James got knocked out? Does he think he can duplicate that, even though he knows that he’s training for a complete fight?
A. Angulo
I don’t know. I don’t like prognosticating any fight. I don’t like to give the results of any fight. I’m preparing for 12 rounds. When I have a fight that’s going to be either 10 or 12 rounds I prepare for those full 10 or 12 rounds, so we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.
Q
Hey, everybody. The first question is for Alfredo. How is training going with Nacho, and how does it compare to Clemente Medina, who is your former trainer? And obviously, Nacho is known for his great work with the Marcus brothers and Ricardo Lopez, do you think that he’s trying to change up your style, maybe so you can fight a little bit more like them?
A. Angulo
No, not really. Nacho’s a very, very good trainer. I’m very happy with him. He hasn’t tried to change me at all. He’s not trying to change my style. I think what he’s trying to do is enhance it. We’ve worked on different combinations for this fight, and that’s what he’s trying to do. You can’t change someone overnight, that’s the important thing here, but I feel very comfortable with Nacho and I’m going to be in great shape and ready for the fight.
Q
Now, just a follow up question regarding his change of trainers. Why did you change trainers? Was it because maybe Clemente was busy with other fighters out here, or was it because it was just convenient for you being in Mexico to train with Nacho?
A. Angulo
Basically at the time when I needed Clemente, Clemente was not available. Clemente decided to train another fighter and they had six years together of work and Clemente, for whatever reason, decided to forego that and train with someone else. So I had to make my decision to get another trainer.
Q
James, obviously we are privy to seeing quite a bit of the excellent work with you prior to you being away from the sport, when you were still with Ann Wolfe and I think since the comeback obviously some time off doesn’t affect a fighter’s ability, but can you talk a little bit about why you made the decision to switch trainers when you returned to the sport. Then if you can touch upon Ann Wolfe’s style, which we know is very strict and very demanding, but how has that affected you coming back into boxing?
J. Kirkland
The reason why I decided to get a new coach in the meantime, me and her had a personal matter, but eventually we put the stuff to the side and went ahead and got back together. But as far as boxing and not being able to get in there and do what you need to do, yes, it takes away from your time and it takes away from your preparation, your head movement, the whole nine as a fighter, but then when you go back to the table and say hey, who pushes these to the next level, who’s going to give me that challenge that I need as far as the work, and Ann Wolfe, she’s always pushing me to the next level. She’s definitely a world champion as far as all the way around, family, boxing, the whole nine. The teamwork that we do is like none other and with everything that I’ve been doing to get prepared for this fight, when at first I was doing everything I was doing, I was like how the hell am I going to go through this type of training to be able to but as it goes on, you get mentally prepared and do what you got to do, that’s what happens. I became super strong and I became like no other. I’m really prepared for this fight and I’m just thankful.
Q
Finally, James, the last follow up to you. Obviously, like you just mentioned that Ann really pushes you hard physically in the gym when you’re training for your fights, but do you think that there’s also a mental or psychological advantage to train with her? Because it seems like when you think back obviously you needed some work physically in your last couple of fights, but it almost seemed like mentally you weren’t quite all there, almost like you were going through the pieces, whereas before you seemed to be extremely focused and you had a real mean streak about you. Do you think that getting back with Ann has taken some of that intensity back to you?
J. Kirkland
Exactly. When I first got out and got back into the ring I was given a coach, I was given a trainer, I was given a gym, and I was like making it work and not me saying hey, this person may be good for me or that person may be good, but this is what I was given. And I said, you know what, I’m going to take a chance with it and let me see how this works and how can I get prepared for fights with this person, and it didn’t go right. I’m not saying it’s on my team, but it’s on all of us together as far as hey, I made the wrong decision as far as going that route, but to go back with Ann Wolfe and it’s like a different type of motivation, a different type of drive that I get from being in that circle. And to be able to work with Ann again and me and her set everything to the side and said, hey, this is the fight that we need and this is how what we’re going to do, this is the level that we know and everybody knows, and this shows them that you are prepared that you wanted to go way beyond the beyond to make it happen, and that’s what it is now. I do give glory and thanks to God for this opportunity and everyone will see by November 5th that I’m more than ready.
Q
I have a question actually for both fighters. I’ll start with James first. How long has this fight been on your radar? I know both deals were coming off when you were both signed with Harry Shaw and I think it was like 2008 everyone was just salivating over when you two would fight. I just want to know if has it been the same for you, or is it just a matter of when the fight was actually presented four months ago?
J. Kirkland
That’s where it was at, our whole mind frame, this fight was already, we saw that it was going to happen and we decided let’s get in shape and now that it’s starting I can just wait to start getting in preparation for this fighter or this opponent, and that’s how it went. As far as I don’t know if it was four months or whatever it was, but when it came available for me we were already getting in preparation for this fight
Q
How does it feel, I think this is going to be your sixth fight returning to the sport this year, how much has that helped you get prepared for a fight like this?
J. Kirkland
Honestly, what helped me and got me prepared for this fight because we had so many sparring partners that came down and worked with me from everywhere, and my sparring partner and my team as far as getting me prepared for the fight. But as far as for this fight here, it’s amazing. I can’t believe that I’ve been able to talk to you all because usually when I get ready for these fights and I get to 158, I’m not talking to anybody. It’s hard to drop that weight and at the same time being able to talk and be able to train, but the whole thing worked out fine. I can’t even believe that everything just feels so good. It feels back to where I was at, my movement, the whole nine is beautiful. And I’m just anxious for the fight. I can’t even sleep at night. I find myself throwing punches when I’m asleep. So it’s one of those things that I can’t wait, and that’s all I can say.
Q
I notice you keep mentioning weight on this call, what’s your normal process for entering training camp? What do you normally weigh going into a camp?
J. Kirkland
My weight usually is really, really high. I’m not even going to say how much it is. But usually it’s really, really high, but for this here it was even higher for this fight. But we’ve changed everything as far as the foods and we prepared the meals and we did the whole nine to make sure that this weight will come off fast. And the weight came off better than what I expected because I deal with my body all the time, I work on it all the time and I know what my body can go through, what my body can take, and I ate, I enjoyed myself, it’s like, I can’t even explain it. It felt good because I actually got to eat and drink and do everything and the vitamins, just the whole nine because I didn’t strain myself, I didn’t push myself to dehydration and all that type of stuff. I was just prepared.
Q
Alfredo, I have the same question that I asked James earlier, just how long has James Kirkland been on your radar?
A. Angulo
He wasn’t really on my radar. I know that a lot of the fans had mentioned me fighting Kirkland, but it makes no difference to me. I fight whoever they put in front of me, so it makes no difference.
Q
And also if there’s any concern about, he’s had a grand total of 90 seconds of reaction and that wasn’t even much of a fight, Gomez as soon as Alfredo threw a punch. Is there any concern fighting someone on the level of Kirkland?
A. Angulo
Do you know what, no, I’m not really worried. I’m not really worried. I think that a lot of the experience that I gain, I get it from the gym. I get it through hard work, dedication, that’s where I get my learning experience and I think that I had a sufficient amount of work put into the gym to be ready for James Kirkland.
Q
This question is for Alfredo Angulo. How are you doing? I wrote about this fight about three years ago and obviously I was expecting this fight to happen and you both are going to be a champion. Has anything changed since three years ago?
A. Angulo
Well, you know what, I’ve worked hard these last few years. I’ve worked hard and I think that it’s been proven with my record, obviously I’m ranked number one in the world right now with the WBC. I would have wished this fight would be for a title. Obviously it deserves to be for a world title, I mean, when you’re fighting a guy like James Kirkland it should be for something, but it’s not, for whatever reason it’s going to be an eliminator, and I’m ready for it.
Q
One last question, Alfredo, did you bring your strength and conditioning coach to the camp, Darrell Hudson?
A. Angulo
No, I didn’t work with him. I didn’t work with him for this training camp. He had some personal family problems that he was tending to, so he couldn’t come out with me, but I’ve been in touch with him by phone, by e-mail, and he is with me via phone and e-mail. But physically he couldn’t be out here and he gave me some tips and some things to follow.
