Yesterday Riverside’s Josesito Lopez and Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez convened with boxing aficionados at historic Olvera Street’s Father Sera Park to officially announce their September 15 “Knockout Kings” fight. Right here, you can find a collection of quotes from Canelo and Josesito Lopez, as well as pictures of the press conference and the two men squaring off with one another. Take a look.
Lopez (30-4, 18 KOs), who last defeated Victor Ortiz in a stunning upset victory, accepted the challenge to fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 KOs) at the heavier 154-pound weight division for the WBC Junior Middleweight title.
Said Ken Thompson, “He is tough – he breaks jaws, he is powerful – he knocks you out, he is ring smart – he will dazzle you. Josesito is not just boxing’s new star, we look at him as the future champion of the super welterweight division. He has a great challenge in Canelo Alvarez, but those are the best fights for Josesito who thrives on making naysayers into believers.
“I’m definitely the underdog again, but I give it my all in the ring,” Lopez said. “I’ll fight my heart out.”
The match up is scheduled to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets for the event begin at $25. SHOWTIME will televise the world title fight and three other fights at no cost to its subscribers.
Continued Lopez, “Canelo will be right in front of me all the time, and I can take a bigger guy’s punches. I just have to train my hardest. It’s a heavier weight class but I’m going to bring my best.”
Added Alvarez, “My job is to get ready for whatever opponent I get. I know he won his way into this fight. I’m very happy with this fight. Josesito Lopez earned his shot, I’m not going to be too confident, because I know there is no rival that is too small. I’m going to train very hard for this fight.”
When addressing the fight fans about Josesito Lopez, Golden Boy Promotions president, Oscar De La Hoya stated: “People can say he’s just a welterweight and people can say he never fought in the big stage, but do you remember when I fought Manny Pacquiao? Look at what he did to me! He destroyed me!” Continued De La Hoya, “Inside that squared circle you never know what’s going to happen…Josesito Lopez has the desire and the heart, he is living that Rocky moment.”
As added incentive, De La Hoya offered a $100,000 reward for the best knockout of the night by a fighter. The winner will be voted by the fans on AT&T phones.
