This weekend on Showtime, Marcos Maidana squares off against Josesito Lopez in a very intriguing welterweight contest, while junior middleweights Erislandy Lara and Alfredo Angulo clash as a part of the event as well. Right here, you can find a complete rundown of a recent conference call featuring all four fighters. Take a look at what each man had to say before their respective bouts.
Erislandy Lara
Hi; how are you? Thank you all for being on.
Itskowitch
Short but sweet. Next to say a few words a gentlemen who is one of the most exciting and devastating punchers at the 154-pound weight class. His 2011 fight with James Kirkland was a candidate for Fight of the Year, one of the best fights I’ve ever seen. Following that he was out of the ring for about a year due to immigration issues but those are all now cleared up, and he’s back ready to take on all comers in search of a world championship.
Since his return he has defeated Raul Casarez in a first round knockout decision, Jorge Silva, and really he’s shown that he hasn’t missed a beat despite the layoff. Now the 30-year-old prepares for the toughest steps of his career against Lara. He’s got a record of 20-2-2 with 18 KO’s. Originally from Mexicali, Mexico, now fighting out of Los Angeles, Alfredo Angulo.
Alfredo Angulo
Hi, how are you? I really appreciate you for your time.
Itskowitch
All right. Thank you. I guess we will now open up to the media for Q&A.
Q
A question for each of you to answer separately, Erislandy, you’ve said that this is going to be a classic boxer vs. puncher fight and that you feel that you can get Alfredo to sort of run in to punches. Alfredo, you have said that you’re not going to allow him to just sit back and box and that you’re going to force him to fight. Can each of you answer the question that’s directed to each of you, first Erislandy?
Lara
Yes that’s correct. That’s the way the fight is going to play out. He’s going to be coming in; he’s going to run into my punches.
Angulo
Yes. I’m working on my plan, and for Erislandy. I like the fighters who come straight and are ready for a good fight, and I’m ready for June 8th.
Q
Yeah. Erislandy, is there any fight in his career that sticks out that you point to that leads you to believe that you’re going to be able to execute that strategy to near perfection?
Lara
No not at all. There’s not a fight that sticks out. I know him; I know the way that he fights and my plan, I’m prepared for that. I know his style. I know the way he fights, and I’m prepared for that and my plan is going to play out.
Q
For each of you also-first Erislandy-in speaking to Gaby Penagaricano whose is the counsel and attorney for Miguel Cotto, as you know he has targeted a return for perhaps the fall, possibly September 28. He mentioned that the winner of this fight could possibly fight Cotto in his return to the ring. You’re thoughts on whether that sweetens the pot for you and whether that adds incentive for you to look spectacular in your performance?
Lara
You know what the most important thing is June 8, the fight that I have in front of me, and if I’m victorious I’ll fight anybody. I’ll fight anybody that’s what I came to this country for to fight so I’ll fight anybody. It doesn’t matter, but the most important thing is a victory on June 8.
Angulo
I don’t have another name in my head, Right now is June 8. First, June 8. After I don’t know, keep focused on June 8 and win the fight.
Q
I know you guys are focused on each other, but you in particular, Erislandy, have for probably the last year and a half looked for a big fight against a name opponent. I know this is a big fight for you, and I know you’ve wanted to fight Canelo and there were chances for that, and you entertained for a moment how much a big fight against Cotto would mean to you personally and to your career, just for a moment.
Lara
No of course, of course I would love to fight a fighter like Cotto. He’s a great fighter. He’s one of the top guys. He’s on the list; he’s on the list of guys that I would want to fight of course. He’s one of the top guys there and if the fight presents itself after this fight then of course, of course I would want a fight.
Q
Good. Good. Could you ask both fighters touched on it a little bit from the standpoint of talking about the fact that perhaps this fight, the winner would move in to an even bigger fight, as big as this one is for these two guys. But on a slightly different point of view this fight is not an official title elimination fight, but do Erislandy and Alfredo view this fight as a de facto title elimination fight where the winner is going to get a shot at one of the world titles?
Lara
Yes. Yes this should be a title fight. This should be a title fight. This is a fight that should be a title. It merits being a world title or an eliminator. Obviously, the winner is going to be in position to fight a Cotto or to fight a Canelo so this is a very, very important fight and it should merit being a title.
Angulo
Definitely. He’s has to fight for the title. Erislandy is 154 a good fighter and I am good fighter too. I think this would be a good fight for the belt. But, more importantly, right now time we have a really good show and a really good fight on June 8.
This is a great fight. This is a great fight. It’s two of the top guys fighting each other. Basically the same thing it merits being a title fight. It’s a good fight.
Q
A title fight or a title eliminator?
Gomez
It’s an important fight. Well, we’re still waiting for confirmation on that, but it is for a minor title right now.
Q
Right. I was thinking like an eliminator where the guy definitely gets a title shot.
Gomez
Yes. Yes. Of course. Of course it’s for a minor title right now but we’re looking for that. We’re waiting for confirmation that it is going to be like a title eliminator so there’s still a chance it will be.
Q
Okay. Now, if you would answer the question, Eric-your point of view as the match maker who works on a lot of this stuff for Golden Boy-what are your thoughts about where the winner of this fight winds up, in a title fight, in that type of situation?
Gomez
Oh, they’re going to be in the top three or four. I mean the winner is going to be the top three or four guys and obviously there’s Canelo. Austin Trout is still highly ranked up there, Miguel Cotto, and you can always throw Floyd in there depending on the weight class that he fights at, but obviously the winner in this fight is going to be in a very, very good position. He should be one of the top guys and this really is like a world title fight. It’s two of the top guys, and I’m just happy that we’re able to make these fights because it’s good for everybody when the top guys fight each other and both fighters realize that, and it’s just going to be a great fight.
Q
Alfredo Angulo has said Erislandy Lara that you’re an amateur fighter. You fight very much like an amateur. You don’t fight like a pro. That’s the style you have. Does that bother you that people say that Cuban fighters come over and they keep that amateur style?
Lara
No. I’m a technical fighter. I’m a technical fighter and he’s a brawler, and we’ll see who has the longer career. But the Cuban fighters are the best technical fighters in the world.
Swanson
Okay. So you guys we are done with you, and we’re now going to switch it over to Maidana Maidana and Lopez Lopez. In the meantime we’d like to thank you very much, and if you have any closing comments.
Lara
Thank you, thank you all for being here. Greetings to everybody, and I’m going to win on June 8 and I wish Angulo luck.
Angulo
Thank you so much, everybody, for their time. I really appreciate it and I’ll see you Lara … in the ring. Okay. Good luck.
Swanson
Dave, would you like to do any like updated programming notes for the upcoming Golden Boy’s schedule?
Itskowitch
Yeah. I can just kind of run through everything that we’ve got coming up. This weekend in Sunrise, Florida at the BB&T Center we have a FOX Sports Net, FOX Deportes event, which is going to air live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The main event is Braulio Santos vs. Derrick Wilson. The co-main event is Daquan Arnett vs. Miguel Zuniga. We’ve got some good fighters on the undercard for people who are down in South Florida and want to come check it out. We’ve got 2012 Olympian Errol Spence Jr., Jermall Charlo, Justin DeLoach, Steve Geffard all on the undercard so those who are near a TV on Saturday night and want to check it out FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes at 10:00 p.m. and if you’re in South Florida head out to the BB&T Center in Sunrise, check out a good night of fights.
Of course the following weekend we have our show at the Home Depot Center, which we’re discussing. Some notes on that, on Showtime Extreme we have Johan Perez vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai in one fight, and Gerald Washington vs. Sherman Williams. That undercard is going to feature Joseph Diaz Jr., Ronny Rios, Jamie Kavanagh, Manuel Avila, Edgar Valero, and Alan Sanchez.
After that we have June 22 at Barclays Center a highly anticipated fight between Paulie Malignaggi and Adrien Broner, trash talking going on in that one. We’re expecting a lively press conference and show for that even. Also that event is going to feature Johnathon Banks vs. Seth Mitchell; and Sakio Bika vs. Marco Antonio Periban, which will be a fight for the vacant WBC super-middleweight world championship.
The 13 of July we have Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat for the IBF light heavyweight world championship, also at Barclays Center, live on Showtime at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Also the Malignaggi/Broner fight will be live on Showtime 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Co-featured fights on July 13 will include Gary Russell Jr. and Deontay Wilder also a very nice undercard of New York fighters.
The 20th of July FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes through Fantasy Springs in Indio, California, we have a fight between Frankie Gomez and DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley. It will air on FOX Sports Net at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
On July 27th at the AT&T Center in San Antonio we have Andre Berto vs. Jesus Soto Karass; Omar Figueroa vs. Nihito Arakawa for vacant WBC interim lightweight title; Keith Thurman vs. Diego Chaves for Chaves’ WBA interim welterweight title.
The programming which has been a little bit, April 19 will be our first show on FOX Sports I, which is FOX’s new all sports channel. We’ll be making an announcement about that show shortly.
That’s everything that’s concrete on the schedule thus far.
Swanson
Sorry for the delay guys, Maidana and Lopez are on the call. So, Dave, let me turn it back over to you to make the introductions for these next two fabulous fighters. Dave?
Itskowitch
Thank you, Kelly. When you talk about fights that are kind of earmarked as can’t miss and Fight of the Year candidates I think this fight really has that written all over it. The two gentlemen in this fight they come powered. They slug. They swing, and that’s generally the recipe for an exciting fight.
So I’d like to introduce both of these gentlemen. First to say a few words, he’s made a career now of beating the odds. It started in 2011 when he beat Mike Dallas stopping him in seven rounds. Two fights later he stepped in as a late substitute to face former world champion Victor Ortiz in a fight that most people gave him no chance in winning and he scored his huge upset stopping former world champion Ortiz in nine rounds. That set up a fight between Lopez and Canelo Alvarez, and although Lopez lost to who is now the unified 154 pound world champion Alvarez his effort and defeat earned him a lot of praise from both fans and media.
On June 8th he returns back down to more friendly waters at 147 pounds to take on Maidana. He’s got a record of 30-5 with 18 KO’s. He’s become known as the Riverside Rocky; from Riverside, California, Josesito Lopez?
Josesito Lopez
Yes. Thank you for having me. I’m excited about this fight. I’m ready to go at a weight where I feel the most comfortable at, and against one of the toughest fighters in my weight division. I’m definitely excited as a fighter and as a boxing fan for this next fight.
Itskowitch
Thank you, Josesito. Now to say a few words one of the most exciting in the sport, one of the hardest punchers in the sport. He’s the current WBA intercontinental champion and the former WBA super lightweight world champion. He recently moved up in weight from 140 pounds to 147. His first fight was a decision loss to Kevin Alexandra who has since become a world champion at 147 pounds. He went on after that to score a really exciting eighth round technical knockout win over Jesus Soto Karass in September, which was a Fight of the Year candidate. Those of you who know Maidana his fights generally tend to be Fight of the Year candidates.
In his last fight in December he defended his title with a third round knockout over Angel Martinez in front of his home town friends in Buenos Aires, and now we returns to fight in Southern California for the first time since his breakthrough stoppage of the world champion Victor Ortiz in 2009. He’s got a record of 33-3 with 30 KO’s from Margarita, Argentina, Marcos “El Chino” Maidana.
Marcos Maidana
Hello to everybody. I want to say hi; thank you for being on the call. I’m out here in Oxnard, California preparing myself for the fight, and I’m going to be in top physical shape for the fight.
Q
Josesito, my question for you is since this is going to be your first fight since the fight you had with Alvarez where we all know that you had moved up a couple of weight classes and were not at your most comfortable weight in that fight; obviously it showed in the result. But I’m wondering from your point of view was the trip up to 154, was it worth it for you to take that shot because even though you lost I’m sure you made a good purse on that fight, your career best pay day, and now you have this opportunity. But how can you characterize what it was like to take that sort of opportunity as unlikely as many of us thought that you winning the fight would be? You got paid. You got a shot at one of the belts, and now you’re coming back in this fight. How is that for you?
Lopez
You know what I wouldn’t say the move to 154 was a great decision but I have no regrets on taking that fight. I fought one of the best fighters out there. I lost and I came, but helped me. I think that moving up from 154 has probably help me mold a little bit better to 147 so now I feel a little bit better and feel more comfortable at 147.
Q
Now after spending the five rounds, taking two in the fight with Canelo and taking the punches from a much bigger guy, do you feel like you’ll be able to take those shots from Maidana because he is regarded as one of the best punchers in this weight division? At 140 pounds when he fought down there as a pretty big puncher himself but I don’t know if that gives you confidence because you took a lot of those shots from Canelo and even though you got stopped you were still getting up. It wasn’t like he knocked you out cold or anything like that; your thoughts about the power that you’ve probably heard about or read about from Maidana Maidana.
Lopez
Yeah obviously he’s a proven strong puncher so you’ve always got to be aware of that, but it’s not just because I was able to withstand some of Canelo’s power I think I’m going to take Maidana. That has nothing to do with it. I think I have a pretty good chin, and you know what I can take as hard as I can give so it should be a ten.
Q
Marcos, do you have the one fight down in Argentina in December following the Soto Karass fight, and you’ve been a guy who have taken some of those fights in your home country, kind of smaller fights. Do you feel like taking some of those fights, and then coming back to America have been the recipe to stay sharp? Because a lot of guys they may not necessarily go and fight those smaller fights back home, but you’ve done that a few times. You did it with Petrov back in ’11, did it with Angel Martinez last December. Not the first time you’ve done that.
Maidana
Yeah that’s exactly what it is; I took it and it’s helped me stay busy. It’s helped me stay sharp and conditioned, and that’s exactly the reason why I do it.
Q
When you took those fights were you still training in the States or did you train for those fights in Argentina? I guess you’re training in America for this fight.
Maidana
No. No. I trained in Oxnard. For the last one I trained in Oxnard with Robert, that’s my coach, and he lives in Oxnard so I come over here, and I don’t have a problem with that.
Q
When I asked Lopez before about the fact that he had moved up two weight classes to fight Canelo but got stopped, and we know that you are a good puncher-do you look at the fact that Lopez was stopped in that fight and think that this should be a chance for him to get a knockout or do you think it’s maybe tougher than that because Canelo was obviously the bigger fighter and he was taking on a guy that was moving up two weight classes?
Maidana
No. I feel it’s going to be a tough fight. You’re right he went up to fight Canelo. He had no business in that division so I think that at 147 it’s more his weight class and it’s going to be a tough fight. I know he’s a very good fighter. It’s going to be a tough fight. He’s going to be stronger at his weight class so I’ve got a very, very difficult fight, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to win, and I’ve been preparing myself to win. It’s going to be a tough fight but I’ve got to look good and I’ve got to win.
Q
One more thing for both guys, maybe Maidana first and maybe, Lopez, you can answer also when Maidana is done. Like you just said tough fight, solid fight between two top guys in that weight class. Where does Maidana feel like a victory will put him because he’s fought a lot of name guys? And Lopez, you fought some good fighters also but where do you feel like a victory will put you in the immediate future?
Maidana
No it’s a very important fight. It’s one of the most important fights of my career. Yes I’ve fought some big names in the past, but this is what’s in front of me. This is the next fight and I have to get past this to be considered for bigger fights and to keep moving up the ladder.
Q
Lopez, how about yourself, where do you feel like a victory over Maidana will put you in the welterweight division?
Lopez
You know what it would absolutely mean me near the top of the division. I think a victory here-I think we’re two of the toughest fighters at 147 so definitely a victory here would put us near the top, and get us in line to fight some of the best fighters in the world so who wins is very important.
Q
Marcos, have you gained anything from the similarities between the fact that each of you fought Victor Ortiz in what were brutal fights? And also do you think that you will be the bigger man given that he fought at a career high and both of you are former junior welterweights?
Maidana
No. No. I don’t think about that. It’s going to be a tough fight. He’s a good fighter. He’s going to be strong. I’m a good fighter. I’m going to be strong, and I don’t think about that stuff. I just think that the winner is going to be the fighter that’s going to be able to withstand the most and the guy that wants it more and the guy that trains better.
Q
Is he the same puncher now yet that he was as a junior welterweight or is he going to use this fight to find out if he has the similar power?
Maidana
I feel a lot stronger. I feel a lot stronger at this weight class than I did at 140.
Q
You’ve already had a shot at Devon Alexander and Devon won convincingly. Should he be victorious who would he envision himself fighting next or who would he most like to be in the ring against in this weight class?
Maidana
I want to fight the best. I want to fight the best. I want to fight the champion. I want to fight the guys that are above me, the guys that are champions whoever it is. I want a good fight. I want a big fight.
Q
Okay. So there’s nobody in specific he thinks he would really match up well against given what he’s seen whether it’s Tim Bradley, Guerrero, you know anybody like that.
Maidana
There’s different ones; a rematch with Devon I wouldn’t mind that.
Q
And I heard you say Mayweather.
Maidana
Yes, I did say Mayweather.
Q
Lopez, hey, this is your fourth straight tough fight in a row, and I actually had you winning the Vargas fight, but is there any part of you that feels that you have to prove that those fights didn’t take anything out of you, particularly the last one against a bigger and powerful Canelo?
Lopez
Yeah you know what I guess I have to prove it, but you know what I went up against a bigger, stronger fighter. A victory on June 8th would definitely help that but I’m going against the best fighters in the world now. I’m fighting top caliber fighters so every fight is going to be a tough dangerous fight. I’ve got to be prepared for every fight.
Q
Just a look back real quick, was there ever a part of you even after you fought the Ortiz fight that wanted the Vargas fight given the fact that he’s had some big fights since then? I mean that was a really close fight and there were a lot of us that thought you won it.
Lopez
Yeah that was a tough defeat to take. I thought I did enough to win. I think most people thought I did enough to win. But things happen for a reason, and even with that lose it put me in the position that I am today. So that happened but moving on with my career and if we end up meeting up in the future then so be it, and I’ll get to avenge my loss.
Q
Did your experience with Canelo-coming back down given you said that this is the right weight class for you know at welterweight do you feel like you’re going to have an advantage? Do you feel like you’re going to be perhaps the bigger man in the ring in this fight?
Lopez
No. I don’t feel like I’m at an advantage at all. I feel like I’m where I’m going to be most comfortable at, and I think that we will both be in very good shape and in a very tough fight. I think it’s a tough fight for both of us. I think really the grounds are even and really the best fighter, the smarter fighter is going to win June 8th.
Q
You just said it, the smarter fighter. You made a reference to something I wanted to tough on, that he has had stretches of trouble with fighters like Andriy Kotelnik who he lost to; Morales who some people thought beat him; obviously, Alexander and to an extent even DeMarcus Corley. With that in mind, will there be an element of boxing should you require it during stretches of the fight? Do you think you’re capable of boxing well against him?
Lopez
You know what I’m not a straight boxer so I’m not going to say I’m going to go in there and just box around in circles, and work around him, but I’m definitely picking my spots. Like I said the smarter fighter is going to win, and I’m going to pick when I want to bang because I definitely got to get … in the ring so I’m going to achieve my spot.
Q
Did you gain anything from any of those fights that I mentioned? Have you watched those fights, and, if so, what did you see was the difference say in the Kotelnik fight, the Alexander fight that maybe you can utilize to a degree?
Lopez
You know what I think overall it’s just a little more of the basic stuff, you know just using angles, getting the timing right, and going straight down the middle. But we’ve worked on a little bit of everything. We train according to a fighter so we definitely mixed it up this camp, and are expecting really the best Maidana we’ve seen.
Q
Lopez, you’re going in to this fight, it’s a tough fight. How have you prepared and how do you think the outcome is going to be?”
Lopez
Well, yeah you know what it is going to be a tough fight. He’s a good fighter. He’s a tough fighter. He’s strong, but the key is the preparation, and I’ve had a great preparation and I’ll be ready for the fight.
Q
What do you think about the comment of Victor Ortiz wanting to avenge his losses and fight both of you guys again in the future?
Lopez
Look, I beat him. I’ve moved on. I’m looking for bigger, better fights. I want to fight the champions, and if that rematch ever comes about I’ll be ready. I’ll be ready but right now I’ve got my sight set on fighting world champions in bigger, better fights.
Maidana
I don’t have a problem with it. If it comes around then doing a rematch he won’t have a problem. He’ll fight him again, and basically he’ll leave it up to Golden Boy. Whoever Golden Boy says and as long as the deal is the right deal then yeah he’ll fight.
Q
Maidana. how much have you benefited by training with Robert Garcia and the rest of the Oxnard fighters?
Maidana
Yeah it’s been a benefit. It’s been very good. I’ve been training with the team. The sparring is great at Oxnard, and my physical trainer Cicilio Flores has been very good. This is my third fight with Robert and I’ll be in great shape and ready for the fight.
Q
Hi. My question is for Josesito Lopez. Lopez, you received extra motivation for the Victor Ortiz fight, as I recall, when they announced Canelo and Ortiz as a fight before your fight with Victor Ortiz. I guess what I’m wondering is what if anything motivates you like that for this fight?
Lopez
You know what I think motivation is there, motivation just to be fighting the best fighters, motivation to continue on. I don’t really need any extra motivation. I think the fact that I’m here, I’m here at the top is motivation enough and this is where I want to be, so that’s my motivation to fight the best fighters and continue on in my career.
Q
You mentioned Victor Ortiz basically saying that you had-that’s in the past for you. It doesn’t sound like a rematch is of interest to you. With regard to Victor Ortiz what I want to know is do you think that you retired Victor Ortiz? Do you believe he’ll fight again?
Lopez
You know what I really don’t know. I don’t keep up with Ortiz. I’ve heard things but hey I don’t wish bad on anyone so hopefully he gets better. And if we end up fighting again then that would be a hell of a fight so don’t wish any bad on anyone but hopefully everything goes well with him.
Q
You talked a little bit about the Canelo fight moving up to 154, as somebody who has been in the ring with him how would you describe Canelo Alvarez? Is he overrated? Is he underrated? How good is he?
Lopez
You know what I watched a lot of video leading up to that fight, and I think up to that day I think he fought the best fight he’s ever fought up to that date. I think he made a lot of improvements and I think he looked good. He definitely came in better than his previous fights. If he wasn’t as good as people thought before I think it’s changed now. I think he’s a lot better fighter than he was just two or three fights ago so yes I think he’s made huge improvements and he’s a better fighter now.
Swanson
Okay. That’s it. That was our last question so can we get final comments? We’ll go ahead and start with Maidana, and then we’ll end with Lopez?
Maidana
Yeah I would like to invite everybody, all the boxing fans out there, everybody on this call to come out and see a great fight. It’s going to be a great fight on June 8th, and thank you all for being on.
Lopez
Yeah I want to thank everyone for being a part of a huge event, and I’m excited for this next fight, and as a boxing fan this is a can’t miss fight. So I’m really excited to be a part of it, and I’ve very blessed and thankful to be in this position, and I’m going to give everything I’ve got June 8th.
Swanson
Great. Thank you so much. Okay. That’s it everybody. Thank you for joining us today, and we look forward to your coverage and please pay attention to June 8th it’s going to be a great show. Thanks.
