Seeger returns to the ring for first time since tragedy in last fight
In the co-featured event tomorrow/Friday, Oct. 23, on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), Al Seeger will return to the ring for the time since last April 30 when his fight with Benjamin Flores ended tragically. Flores passed away five days afterward from head injuries sustained during the match.
“If I or any fighter said something like that doesn’t play on your mind, or doesn’t take a toll on you, it’d be a lie,’’ Seeger said. “I have not said a prayer since that fight that doesn’t include me praying for the entire Flores family. I will always pray for them, just like I pray for my family.
“I stayed in close touch with a few people after the fight and I spoke with his brother. I won’t say it’s behind me totally and I can’t say if it will make me less a fighter, although I don’t think it will. But what I do know, for sure, is that it has made me a better man.’’
In a battle of world-ranked contenders, Seeger (28-4, 22 KOs), of Savannah, Ga., will defend his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super bantamweight title against undefeated Victor Fonseca (16-0, 8 KOs) of Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, in a 10-round fight in the opening bout of the ShoBox telecast. Seeger is rated No. 10 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) while Fonseca is ranked No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 8 in the World Boxing Association (WBA).
Damian Frias (16-1, seven KOs), of Miami, Fla., will risk his WBC Latino welterweight belt against Freddy Hernandez (25-1, 18 KOs), of Lynwood, Calif., in a solid matchup in the ShoBox main event.
Tickets, starting at $10, are on sale at the Laredo Entertainment Center box office. The first live, non-televised fight begins at 8 p.m. CT.
NOTE – WEIGHTS: Frias and Hernandez each weighed 146 ¼ pounds; Seeger 121, Fonseca 122.
DAMIAN “DEVO’’ FRIAS
“This is the kind of fight I want and need to accept if I am going to be a world champion. Becoming world champion isn’t easy and I am not about to take any shortcuts.
“I am first and foremost a boxer, but I am not a boxer that runs. I will stand and fight with anybody.
“This is far and above the highest profile fight I’ve had, and on the biggest stage. I know Hernandez is tough and durable, but I am calm, cool and ready to go. I have a lot of skills and I hope to be able to showcase them. I am really looking forward to Friday on SHOWTIME.’’
FREDDY “EL RIEL’’ HERNANDEZ
“I haven’t been fighting much but that is because of promotional problems. Thankfully, those are over and I can concentrate again on my boxing career. It was very frustrating to train, train, train and then not be able to fight. But I’ve always been in the gym and stayed well prepared.
“This fight is coming at a perfect time for me and I am grateful that it is on SHOWTIME. This is an unbelievable opportunity for me and I am absolutely coming to win. I am 30 years old and need to get something big going.
“My only loss (against Golden Johnson) came on a split decision. I feel in my heart that I won, but it went into the record books as a loss so there is nothing I can do about it.
“I know Frias is a southpaw with a good record who likes to move. My plan is to go in and just throw a lot of punches. Whether I get the knockout or the decision doesn’t matter. The important thing is to win.’’
AL “THE QUIET STORM’’ SEEGER
“I feel good and I’ve trained hard and I am ready to go in and do my job. This is my business. I know Fonseca is a tall, sharp guy with good skills who’s left-handed. This is going to be a good, tough fight for both of us.
“I’ve won once on ShoBox (he unanimously outpointed Eric Aiken in September 2004) and I am definitely confident I can make it 2-0. A couple of fights have fallen out, or I might have fought before now. I definitely want to be more active and to continue to make a name for myself.
“Fighting on SHOWTIME again is a tremendous opportunity. I think fans are going to see a much better fighter than the one they did before. I know I feel I am a much better fighter than I was a few years ago.’’
VICTOR “VITINO’’ FONSECA
“This is a great opportunity for me to fight for a title on SHOWTIME. I am looking for a shot at a world title and this is a good step in that direction. I am very happy that (promoter) Gary Shaw has given me this chance.
“A win in this kind of high-profile fight for me is very important. This is the first time many people will get to know my name and see my style. But there is no pressure. I am very calm and relaxed. Mostly, I am excited because this fight can open a lot of doors for me and that’s what I train so hard for.
“I give Seeger credit. He is a good fighter. But two fights ago I defeated a much more experienced, former world champion (Mauricio Pastrana). I don’t think Seeger has ever fought anybody like that.’’
Photo Credits: Tom Casino/Showtime
