The “Knockout Kings” press conference was held on Tuesday, July 17, at iconic Placita Olvera in Los Angeles as they announced their respective bouts taking place on Saturday, September 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME®. All six fighters from the top three fights were at the event, including former World Champion Marcos Maidana, former World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez, Breakout Star Josesito Lopez, WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez and Welterweight Contender Jesus Soto Karass. Right here, you can find a collection of quotes and photos from everyone involved.
Canelo Alvarez, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion
“I want to thank all of the fans who are here. This is going to be a great fight…a great event. I am very happy with this fight.
“I think Josesito Lopez won his way here. He won his way to getting this shot September 15th.
“I am not going to be over confident. I know that inside that ring, there is no opponent that can be taken lightly. I am going to train very hard for this fight so I can come out victorious. I am very happy to be representing Mexico and on September 15th, we will be yelling ‘Viva Mexico!'”
Josesito Lopez, Breakout Super Welterweight Star
“September 15th is a very big day in boxing. We will have championship fights with great fighters on SHOWTIME.
“I will train my hardest. I trained really hard for the great opportunity I had on June 23rd. On September 15th I have an even bigger opportunity with an even bigger fighter.
“All I can do is train as hard as I can and give it my all. September 15th, the better man will win.”
Johnny Gonzalez, WBC Featherweight World Champion
“It is going to be a great fight. This is for all of the Mexicans, but it’s going to be special for everyone.
“As a world champion, I want to face nothing but the best. I think Ponce De Leon is one of the best and that is why he is getting this opportunity.”
Daniel Ponce De Leon, Former World Champion
“I am very happy to be fighting on September 15th and to be fighting for a world title.
“I have been waiting for a long time for an opportunity like this. I have been number one in the world for a while in different organizations and I am going to take full advantage of this fight.”
Marcos Maidana, Former World Champion
“What can I say about Soto Karass? He’s a good fighter and a tough fighter.
“I like fighting in Las Vegas. Soto Karass is a very good fighter. He is a tough fighter. Thank you.”
Jesus Soto Karass, Welterweight Contender
“I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions and Marcos Maidana for this opportunity. I am going to be ready.
“Maidana is one of the greatest fighters in this weight [class].
“I have to train hard for this fight because I know it is going to be a hard fight. I will be prepared.
“Hopefully everyone has a chance to come to Las Vegas on September 15th. I will put on a good show.”
Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions
“This fight is called ‘Knockout Kings.’ For an extra incentive, the best knockout of the night gets an extra 100,000 dollars. The fans at home are going to vote on who deserves 100,000 dollars. They can only see it on SHOWTIME.
“Josesito Lopez has the desire and the heart. He is living that ‘Rocky Moment.’ I am sure that Team Canelo is training very serious for this very serious challenge.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions
“This card will be like a pay-per-view, but the good news is that you won’t have to pay for it. It will be like a free-per-view.
“Heart counts for a lot in boxing. We told Canelo that he better be careful because Josesito is going to come to win. He is going to come to break Canelo’s jaw just like he did with Victor Ortiz. Josesito Lopez has earned my respect. He is an amazing fighter.
“This is boxing. In boxing, you never know what can happen. These two guys are true warriors who deserve to fight on this day. Josesito Lopez has earned the right to fight Canelo Alvarez and he has earned it the hard way, with his fists.”
Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports
“On September 15th, we have the biggest new star in boxing in Canelo Alvarez. We have the most inspiring story in Josesito Lopez. We have some of the biggest punchers in the sport in Jhonny Gonzalez, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Marcos Maidana and Jesus Soto Karass. My goal is to deliver the best fights to the broadest possible audience and we are doing just that on September 15th.
“We won’t gauge you on prices. This is free on SHOWTIME. It will be a night to remember. Don’t miss it.”
Ken Thompson, President of Thompson Boxing Promotions
“A great fight doesn’t happen by accident. You have to have great promoters to put their life into this thing. That is what makes it all happen.
“Josesito is without question the greatest fighter on the earth today. When he gets in the ring, he is dangerous. He breaks your jaw. He is exciting. He knocks you out. He is fast. He dazzles you. He is smart. He confuses you. He is ready. He is going to win the fight on September 15th.”
