Hot Golden Boy prospect Saul Alvarez is back in action on the undercard of the Shane Mosley vs. Sergio Mora bout. Alvarez takes on former welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, a tough, pressuring opponent, who should provide some resistance for the young budding star and see what he’s made of. The two hosted a conference call to discuss the pending battle. Here’s the transcript…
Kelly Swanson
Gracias. Hello. Good afternoon and buenos días, everybody. We are so happy today that you’re joining us. We are getting ready and very close to the September 18th show. It’s going to be an excellent show and joining us today are two of the participants of that show. Calling in all of the way from Rosario, Argentina is Carlos “Tata” Baldomir and also, from beautiful, Guadalajara, Mexico, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.
Before we introduce and let the fighters talk, I’m going to turn it over to the one and only, ten-time world champion, Olympic gold medalist and President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar de la Hoya.
Oscar de la Hoya
Thank you very much. Really, it’s a pleasure to be on the call with two great fighters, who will be facing each other September 18th “200: Celebrate and Dominate” is going to be a spectacular event. We not only have Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez against Carlos Baldomir, but also appearing on the card, as you know, Sugar Shane Mosley and Sergio Mora will be headlining the pay-per-view September 18th. But we are also showcasing “Vicious” Vivian Harris against “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and the fourth televised fight, which will be an excellent one, like all are on this card, Daniel Ponce de León of … Mexico will take on Featherweight Antonio Escalante from El Paso, Texas and that will be for the Featherweight Eliminator, which promises to be an all out war.
We are extremely proud to be also partnering up once again with Fathom Theaters. As you know, this event will be televised live on high definition on more than 300 selected movie theaters, which is obviously always a great treat for all of the fans out there, who want to watch it among a lot of people. It will be an excellent treat.
This fight against Carlos Baldomir with Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, obviously, we expect a war. We expect a fight that is going to be a tremendous, tremendous fight. You have Carlos Baldomir, who is an experienced veteran, an ex-world champion, who always comes to fight and never gives up. He has beaten former world champions, world champions. His most memorable wins obviously are over the late Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah. He went 12 rounds with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. He obviously fought the late Vernon Forrest and obviously, as we all know, he defeated Joshua Clottey.
This fight here is going to be a test for both fighters. Does … still have what it takes to become a world champion again and does Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez have what it takes to defeat such a great legend like Carlos Baldomir?
So, without any further ado, I would like to introduce to you, with a record of 45 … and 14 knockouts, a native of Santa Fe, Argentina, Carlos “Tata” Baldomir.
Carlos Baldomir
Hi. Hello, everybody. Thank you for being on. I am feeling real good in camp right now. I feel strong. I am calm. I am working out with some young fighters that are very talented, one of them that’s highly ranked, Lucas Matthysse and some other young kids. I am ready to fight. I am ready to get in the ring with the same faith and confidence that I always have when I get in the ring with and I am feeling very good.
De La Hoya
Now, at this time, I would like to introduce to you a young fighter, who is really making a lot of noise in Mexico and here in the States. When I tell you he has a rock star-like following, he really does. He is the one fighter now in Mexico who generates the biggest ratings on television from any athlete in any sport. He has a tremendous punch, tremendous speed, great footwork. He’s now ranked second by the WBC, fourth by the WBO, fourth by the WBA. His most recent wins have been stoppage wins of Luciano Cuello in six rounds. He had a record of 26 and 1 and obviously, his last fight with José Miguel Cotto, which he stopped in 9 rounds.
We feel this fight is a very dangerous fight for Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. He’s facing an experienced fighter in Baldomir, but that’s a test that you have to take to move on, hopefully move on to the next challenge, the next tough challenge.
So, without any further ado, I would like to introduce to you-he has a record of 33 and 0 with 25 knockouts. He’s of Guadalajara, Mexico. He’s obviously undefeated at the age of 20-Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.
Saul Álvarez
Good morning, everybody. Thank you for being on. I’m very happy. I’m very happy, very motivated for this fight. I know that Baldomir is a very tough fighter. He has faced some of the best fighters in the world and its part of my learning process. I’ve got to get past fighters like this if I’m going to become a world champion, so I’m training very hard. I feel good and I’m ready for this challenge. It’s an honor for me to be fighting Baldomir.
Q
I had the opportunity to talk to Baldomir last week and Baldomir said if Cotto hurt him I’m going to knock him out. ‘If I catch him with the same kind of punch I’ll be able to knock him out.’ So how do you feel about that, Canelo? Also, obviously, what’s going to be your strategy for the fight? I mean, obviously, he’s a tough fighter. How do you think you’re going to be able to come out from this fight?”
Álvarez
Look, every opponent I’ve faced has said that they’re going to knock me out and once we get up in the ring it’s just words. Nobody has been able to beat me, so I don’t care about words. I feel motivated for the fight and I think I’m going to be the winner.”
Q
The question now is for Oscar. The winner for this fight, Oscar, the winner, whoever becomes victorious that night, is there going to be a title fight in the near future?
De La Hoya
Well, obviously, it depends on the outcome, because we don’t know what the outcome is going to be. All we know, it’s going to be a tough fight for both fighters. Obviously, if Baldomir is winning there are different plans for Baldomir; with Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez winning there are obviously different plans for him. To discuss a world title after this fight wouldn’t be right for my part, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens after this fight.
Q
Saúl, why do you think you have become so popular in Mexico?
Álvarez
I think it is my style and the manner and the way I fight. That’s what I think. I think that a lot of people follow me and they like the way I fight.
Q
What do you think is said about you? You got hurt early in the Cotto fight and you were able to recover nicely and win by a ninth round technical knockout. What does that tell you about yourself, that you were able to recover like that?
Álvarez
It was a learning experience. It was a learning experience. Yes. It was the first time ever in my career that I got hurt. It got very complicated there, but I took my time and I was able to box and do what I had to do to become victorious. That fight gave me a lot of confidence and I’m bringing that confidence into my next fight. Obviously, I had a lot of outside problems that contributed in that fight. I kind of wasn’t concentrating all that well, but it was a learning experience and I’ll take it.
Q
I just wanted to see if he you want to weigh in at all on your country man, Margarito, the whole hand wrap issue. Do you have any thoughts on that issue at all regarding Margarito?
Álvarez
No. You know what? I really don’t have a comment about it. A lot of people are speculating and talking about it, but I really don’t have any comments about it.
Q
Oscar, one quick thing if I may? Margarito said that he thought that your influence, all of the bad things that you said about him, had a lot to do with him not getting his license in California; that you have a lot of influence with the Commission. Do you have any thoughts on that?
De La Hoya
Well, obviously, people know the way I feel about that situation, but I’ve never spoken to the Commission. The Commission has never spoken to me. I’m just a voice for everyone, who feels the same way I do. Obviously, nobody wants to say what they feel, but I’m just a voice speaking my mind. It’s my opinion of what I feel about the situation, because I love this sport. I have passion for this sport and I don’t want to see anybody try to cheat the sport. That’s all I would say.
Q
Obviously, Saúl, you’re going to be fighting in front of a big stage here in Los Angeles. A lot of the Mexicans here in Los Angeles are different than back in Mexico. Is there added pressure fighting in front of a different crowd like here in Mexico, the Mexicans here?
Alvarez
No. It’s no pressure whatsoever. I feel confident. I’ve been in front of a big stage before. I feel no pressure. I’m motivated.”
Q
The question is, Baldomir is a very tough fighter. He likes to go toe-to-toe. He’s got a very good chin. He doesn’t get knocked out. Does that more or less help you with your strategy for the fight or the outcome of the fight?
Alvarez
Look, I’m prepared for anything. Yes, I have a lot of knockouts on my ledger, but I don’t look for the knockouts. I’m prepared to go the ten rounds. Obviously, if the knockout presents itself I’m going to go for it.”
Q
Carlos, you’re going to face Saúl Álvarez, who is less experienced than you. You saw that he got hurt. What kind of strategy? Is that going to give you more confidence going into the fight? How are you going to go about your fight?”
Baldomir
Yes, he is less experienced. Yes, I’ve seen that he got hurt before. Yes, I’m probably going to try to punch him the same way. I’m going to try to land the same kind of punches. I’m going to go at him. I think personally that he’s a little fragile and I’m going to test him. I know that he can be an aggressive fighter, so I’m ready to go toe-to-toe with him if he wants. This fight has me very, very motivated. I’m so hungry. I’ve always been quiet before fights, but this time I feel so motivated and hungry for the bigger fights that I’m talking a little bit this time.”
Q
Carlos, given the guys that you’ve been in the ring with, Vernon Forrest, Floyd Mayweather and the victories you’ve had, among them, Arturo Gatti and Zab Judah, can “Canelo” show you anything that you haven’t seen before?
Baldomir
No. He doesn’t present a problem. I don’t think I’m going to see anything that I haven’t seen before. I’ve fought bigger, better fighters than him. I think he’s a novice. He’s won all of his fights in Mexico. He hasn’t really fought anybody. I think he’s good, but I think I’m a lot better than him and I’m going to win on September 18th.
Q
Canelo, you heard what he just said and you know he’s a very durable guy. Do you see him as your toughest fight and your most defining fight? Do you see this as a chance to show your overall boxing skills and ring generalship?
Álvarez
You know what? I’m working hard. I’m working hard in the gym. I know that he’s a very, very strong fighter, but I’m going to do my fight. We have our strategy and I’m going to make my fight. I have a lot of confidence as well, even though he’s strong, I’m also strong and I’m going to bring that to the ring.”
Q
It’s your first time fighting at STAPLES Center. What are you going to give the fans? What are you promising to the fans?”
Álvarez
Look, I’m promising a great fight. I know that he’s a tough fighter. I know that he’s got a style that comes forward, very aggressive. I’m promising everybody it’s going to be a great fight.
Q
How does it feel that in Mexico, Televisa, the biggest network, they have you almost every hour, they have clips of you, they’re announcing your fight, they’re promoting you? They’re doing a great job. How does that feel? Is that added pressure? How does that feel?
Álvarez
I accept it. I accept it. It’s not too many fighters that get that acknowledgement. I accept it and it motivates me. It makes me hungrier, so I accept it and I’m ready to deliver.
Q
Just one question here, Canelo. What does it mean to you to do well, perform well and become known in the United States?
Álvarez
Yes, it’s very important to me. Obviously, to be able to fight in America it’s every fighter’s dream. I think in the United States, that’s the big leagues. It’s the big leagues and if you can make it there you can make it all over the world. I’m very, very motivated and I’m happy to be fighting in the U.S.
Q
The question is Chavez, Jr., he’s number one in the WBC in your weight division. Is that possible next fight for you?
Álvarez
You know what? Look, I’ll fight him whenever. I’ll fight him today. I’ll fight him tomorrow. I’ll fight him any time. It’s up to my promoters. Let the promoters talk. Let them reach an agreement and I’ll fight him. No problem.”
Q
Canelo, you’ve talked a little bit about, we’ve talked about your popularity in Mexico and I’m wondering what you think you need to do to help translate that popularity from Mexico into the United States among the boxing fans here, because you’ve got a great start with the fan base in Mexico and, of course, being on this card on a Mexican holiday that’s being promoted very fiercely towards the Mexican community, but what do you have to do to sort of cross over, to get the boxing fans in America to be on the bandwagon like they are, certainly, in Mexico?
Álvarez
I think the important thing is to demonstrate that I’m a good fighter and to make a good showing and not only make a good showing, but keep improving. Obviously, fighting the best fighters in the world as well, that’s going to help, but I want to be an exciting fighter. I want to make good fights. I think that’s what’s going to make me well known here in the United States.
Q
I’m curious, two other things about his plans here: One is how often do you plan to fight in the United States in terms of balancing fights in the United States compared to how often you will fight in Mexico where I assume you still would like to fight? Also, have you decided, are you going to be fighting regularly as a Welterweight or as a Junior Middleweight? I know you have been able to go back and forth between the two weight classes.
Álvarez
Well, the first thing I want to answer is I want to stay at Welterweight. I’m a Welterweight. I’m going to fight at Welterweight. Obviously, this fight here was contracted at a catch weight and this is a special, special fight here, so we had to do it that way.
Secondly, yes, I want to fight more often in the United States, maybe do one fight in between here and there in Mexico, but all of the big fights are in the U.S. and I plan to start making my career in the U.S.
Q
Carlos, I know after I guess it might have been after the Vernon Forrest fight I think you indicated that you were going to retire and that you had a heck of a career, especially late going in your career. I guess there was a long layoff in there and now you are coming back and had a couple of fights. I’m just curious. What was the motivation for you to keep on fighting? Was it just the money or was it just your desire to continue to compete? What was it that continued to put you into the ring?
Baldomir
I’m coming back mainly because of the glory, because of the glory. I still have a little bit of hunger. I still feel that I can do something in boxing and I’m going for the glory. Obviously, there’s a great advantage, this advantage that I have to fight “Canelo” Álvarez; it’s a big, big opportunity for me and I want to take advantage of it. I want to take advantage of it because beating this one fight, beating him, I know there’s going to be some big fights. It’s a great opportunity and I’m going to take advantage of it.
Q
Carlos Baldomir, you’ve heard Saúl Álvarez. He’s very confident. You are very confident as well. Can you predict a knockout?”
Baldomir
You know what? I come out to fight and I come out to fight and the knockout can happen at any time. When the bell rings in the first round I’m going to come right at him and I’m going to be looking for the knockout, so it can happen in the first round, second, any round, but I’m going to go for the knockout. I fought five, six Mexicans in my career and I’ve beat all of Mexicans I’ve faced. I plan to make him the next.”
Q
This is a very, very tough fight obviously. Baldomir is a bigger guy. He can get up to Middleweight or Super Middleweight after he makes weight before the fight. How do you feel about that?
Alvarez
I know it’s going to be a good fight. I keep repeating it’s going to be a good fight. I’m glad that he’s motivated and he’s confident, because that means that it’s going to make for a better fight.
Q
Do you think that you could be the first guy to actually knock him out?”
Álvarez
Look, I don’t look for the knockout. I don’t look for the knockout. I’m ready to fight the entire fight, but if the knockout comes I will take advantage of it and I’ll close the show.
Q
Every athlete, especially in boxing, obviously thinks about winning, but there’s a chance of losing. Do you ever think about losing?
Álvarez
Well, obviously, yes. I mean you’ve got to think about it. Any sport you’ve got to think about it. There’s a winner and a loser, but not at this time. It doesn’t cross my mind. I’m ready to win. I know I’m going to win. That’s the way I feel.
Q
Carlos, you’re fighting a young fighter. He’s only 20-years-old. Is that an advantage or disadvantage?
Baldomir
Well, obviously, yes. When you’re young that’s somewhat of an advantage, but I have a lot of experience and that’s what’s going to help me. I fought the best, was in the ring with the best. I beat some. I lost to some, but you’ve got to remember, I was in my peak just three years ago, four years ago, 2006, 2007. A lot of people say that I’m old, that I’m gone, I shouldn’t be fighting. But guess what? It was just three years ago. I still feel that I have so much to give.
Q
The question is a two-part question: The first question is, Saúl Álvarez, you fought last year in Mexico in September. Obviously, you’ve always fought in Mexico on Independence Day. How does it feel to be fighting in LA for the first time on Independence Day? Is there pressure?
Álvarez
Look, I feel great. It’s a big motivating factor. I’m fighting out there for the first time. It’s the bicentennial. I feel very motivated and proud to be fighting on that date, especially in Los Angeles.
There is no pressure at all. I don’t feel any pressure whatsoever. I feel motivated.
Q
Are you planning to ruin this party for Canelo and for the Mexicans?
Baldomir
No, not at all. Everybody knows that I’m a good fighter. I’m not looking to ruin anything. Everybody knows I’m a good fighter and I can win this fight. If I do with the fight I’m still going to raise my hands up and say Viva Mexico.
Swanson
Thank you, everybody, for joining the call; 200: Celebrate and Dominate Mosley vs. Mora and Saúl Álvarez versus Carlos Baldomir live on pay-per-view. Tickets still available. Saturday, September 18th. You can go to WhoAreYouPicking.com or HBO.com for live updates.
De La Hoya
Thank you. Gracias, Baldomir. Gracias, Saúl . We’re going to have a great week of festivities the week of the fight. It’s going to memorable, the biggest event. This event is the official event of the bicentennial festivities in Los Angeles, so we’re very excited. Thank you very much to everyone.
END OF CALL
“200: CELEBRATE AND DOMINATE”Mosley vs. Mora is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and DeWalt Tools. The special night of boxing set for Saturday, September 18 at STAPLES Center is an official event of the Mexican Bicentennial celebration in Los Angeles, Calif. The night will be headlined by Five-Time World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley facing off against former World Champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora in a 12-round junior middleweight showdown, top rated Junior Welterweight “Vicious” Victor Ortiz facing former World Champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris and former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon taking on number two world rated featherweight Antonio Escalante in a WBO Featherweight Title Elimination bout. Tickets for Mosley vs. Mora, priced at $200, $125, $75 and $20, are on sale now and available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800)745-3000. Tickets are also available at STAPLES Center box office.
