Posts Tagged ‘Oscar De La Hoya’

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It comes as no surprise that the final press conference between Zab Judah and Danny Garcia had some more drama. Long story short, Judah is claiming that Garcia’s team and Golden Boy requested that the fighters hold separate press conference. During Garcia’s time to speak, De La Hoya referred to Judah as “unprofessional” for not being there.

Judah was in the venue’s basement and after reading De La Hoya’s comments on Twitter, he quickly made his way to the stage to confront the Golden Boy. Bernard Hopkins tried his best to defuse the situation to no avail.

If the circulated story about the separate press conferences is true, Zab has a very legit gripe. The talking ceases Saturday night on Showtime.

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LOS ANGELES, CA — Amir Khan and Carlos Molina held the first official U.S. press conference yesterday for their December 15 bout at the LA Sports Arena. Khan is on yet another comeback trail after his superfight-derailing KO loss to Danny Garcia in July. While Molina is an undefeated fighter, the most intriguing aspect of this contest is the fact it’s Khan’s first bout under new trainer Virgil Hunter. Can Khan be transformed into a thinking man’s fighter? Will Molina enact another, and this time possibly career ending upset on Khan? Below is the entire press conference courtesy of FightHubtv.com.

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Khan vs. Molina is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by Corona.  The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).  The Sky Sports 1HD telecast begins live at 1:00 a.m. GMT on Sunday, December 16.

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If you missed it last night, here is the second and final episode of All Access that follows Canelo Alvarez and Josesito Lopez through last week’s fight and post-bout aftermath. It was a hard night for Lopez supporters who had to see their man battered through five bloody rounds. However, Lopez’s gutsy performance ensures he’ll get another big money fight (hopefully a Victor Ortiz rematch). From this episode, it’s quite clear that Canelo will be right at home in the superstar role should it translate from Mexico to the United States. The only question now is who does Golden Boy select next to be Canelo’s potential breakout performance? I really hope Golden Boy doesn’t waste time feeding Ortiz to Canelo. My pick, should he successful in December (and that’s not a given), is Miguel Cotto.

LOS ANGELES, CA — The main players of Showtime and Golden Boy’s September 15 “Knockout Kings” card met the media yesterday at Placita Olvera for the first official press conference.

Taking place at the MGM Grand, the card features a main event of WBC junior middleweight titlist Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Josesito Lopez, WBC featherweight title-holder Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Daniel Ponce de Leon and Jesus Soto Karass vs. Marcos Maidana.

Below are highlights from the press conference. While Maidana was short on words, his fight against Soto Karass has a very strong chance to be the show-stealer.

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.

Angel Garcia was in rare form yesterday at the final press conference before his son Danny faces Amir Khan Saturday night (July 14). The senior Garcia vowed his son will bring the entire Latino nation into the ring, while Khan promised to show how good a Pakistani can fight. In addition, he made his first prediction, declaring he’ll knock Danny Garcia out. Expect more last-minute trash talk at the weigh-in later today, scheduled for 6pm ET.

Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto moved one step closer to battle with the completion of their final press conference yesterday. Tomorrow’s (May 4) weigh-in will be the last public appearance between the two before the big May 5 date.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER

Miguel is a true warrior, a tough champion and to go into the Hall Of Fame you have to face the best opponents.

This fight had to happen and I am glad that happened when Miguel was on his own, could call the shots and dictate what he wants.

Come May 5, I will be at my best. I have been here so many times that I know what it takes.

I don’t have to brag. I don’t have to boast. Cotto is not a talker. I am outgoing and outspoken. I have a lot of personality. That’s just me.

If I only would have been a defensive fighter, I would of not have lasted this long in this sport.

I don’t have to be moving and running. I just have to box. I just have to take my time and whatever happens happens, and whatever plays out, plays out.

I’m not more relaxed than usual. It’s just I’ve been here. I embrace pressure. I look at it as just another day, another fight.

MIGUEL COTTO

I’m a quiet guy and I prefer to talk in the ring.

I had a tremendous camp in Orlando. I put my trust in Pedro [Diaz], in every member of my team and, most importantly, myself.

All of the work that we put in in Orlando and all the work that we put in here [in Las Vegas], will bring me the victory Saturday night. I am prepared and happy to be here.

No matter what, I am going to use what I have to fight Floyd. I’m prepared for his style.

I am going to be the first guy to beat Mayweather.

Everyone will see my strategy on May 5.

LEONARD ELLERBE (CEO of Mayweather Promotions)

 Miguel Cotto is a very classy champion and he has been for a number of years, but to Cotto’s trainer, talk doesn’t win fights, fighters do.

This has been our best training camp in the last 15 to 16 years. I can truly say that from a preparation standpoint, we brought in the best possible guys that Floyd could work with to be able to push him to the limit and that is what it takes to be at this level. He [Mayweather] took it upon himself to bring in young hungry lions to push him through training camp.

With his ability to come back like in his last performance in the Ortiz fight, I think the fans are going to see a much, much sharper Floyd Mayweather. Floyd is going to be prepared for whatever Miguel Cotto brings that night. Floyd will come out and dictate the pace.

 I think the fans are going to see a great, great fight.

Come Saturday night, Floyd will be the new WBA Champion. He will be an eight-time world champion in five different weight classes.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA (President of Golden Boy Promotions)

Pedro Diaz worked with Miguel Cotto in his last fight and he did a tremendous job. He was the head of the Cuban national team for many years and he knows how to get fighters into shape. As we all know, Cuban fighters are always in tip top form and he is a great trainer.

Cotto should be undefeated.

He is a great fighter hailing out of Puerto Rico. He has fought many great champions. He is the current WBA super welterweight champion of the world.

He has held a world title every year since 2004 while winning 16 of his 18 world championship fights. He had a tremendous victory against Antonio Margarito. He showed his abilities in that fight and what he has learned with his new trainer. Therefore, he will come into the ring as a new man on May 5.

RICHARD SCHAEFER (CEO of Golden Boy Promotions)

For five years, we have been working with Floyd Mayweather and it has been great.

Floyd Mayweather is the biggest pay-per-view star. He keeps bringing new innovations to the sport and takes the sport to a new level.

Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez and Sugar Shane Mosley are four modern day gladiators. This pay-per-view is really two pay-per-views wrapped into one.

The early indication results are clear that this will be the biggest pay-per-view in the history of Puerto Rico.

24/7 was on TNT last night and I got some reports that it was a huge success. It was right after the NBA playoff game. The strong support is absolutely spectacular.

We will have fans watching [the fight] in bars and restaurants and in the movie theaters, but our biggest audience is the fans that will be at home watching it on pay-per-view.

This is a boxing card presented by the boxers to the fight fans and that is a great thing.

The ratings numbers are the biggest HBO has ever had for 24/7.

PEDRO DIAZ (Cotto’s Head Trainer)

May 5 will be an unforgettable night for boxing.

A victory in boxing doesn’t come from talking. In boxing, your fists, the preparation and the execution gets you the victory.

May 5, you will see a victorious Miguel Cotto. A new Miguel Cotto.

“Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto,” a 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBA Super Welterweight World Championship and the vacant WBC Super Welterweight Diamond belt, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. Also featured will be Canelo Alvarez vs. Sugar Shane Mosley, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC Super Welterweight World Championship which is presented in association with Canelo Promotions and Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions and a 10-round welterweight fight featuring undefeated rising star Jessie Vargas and former World Champion Steve Forbes. Opening the pay-per-view broadcast will be a 10-round bout between super welterweight contender DeAndre Latimore and former World Champion Carlos Quintana which is presented in association with DiBella Entertainment. The mega event is sponsored by Corona, Hatfields & McCoys on HISTORY™, DeWalt Tools, AT&T, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Puebla – Cinco De Mayo and will take place Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Count Golden BOy president Oscar De La Hoya among the few giving Miguel Cotto a strong chance of upsetting Floyd Mayweather next month when they clash on May 5 for the WBC junior middleweight title.

Even at the age of 35 and fighting at 154 pounds for only the second time, De La Hoya views Mayweather as the consensus favorite against anyone around his weight. But after learning some confidential points about Cotto trainer Pedro Diaz’s strategy, he gives the Puerto Rican champion a stronger shot than any past Mayweather opponent.

“I think anyone who faces Floyd Mayweather will have little chance of winning,” De La Hoy admitted. “He has great defense, but he is not a perfect fighter. He has never faced Miguel Cotto. Miguel Cotto has the right game plan and the perfect corner.”

While not disclosing specifics, De La Hoya implied Cotto may adopt the role of counter-puncher to meet the aggressive, come-forward style Mayweather has utilized in his last two victories over Shane Mosley and Victor Ortiz. The fight, De La Hoya speculates, will come down to who gets impatient with their tactics.

“Miguel Cotto is a strategist. He will wait and he will be patient.,” explained De La Hoya. “Will Mayweather be able to dictate the pace? Will Miguel’s patience be a problem for Mayweather? It will be very interesting… If there is a perfect time to beat Mayweather, it is now. No fighter is invincible.  At some point Mayweather will run into that as well.  He is a tremendous talent, but it is not easy to stay undefeated in this game.  Eventually that ’0′ has to go.”

Mayweather vs. Cotto airs May 5 on HBO pay-per-view.

 

 

Oscar De La Hoya and Victor Ortiz appeared last night (September 1) on Piers Morgan’s CNN show to discuss the big fight against Floyd Mayweather on September 17. The interview served as another opportunity for Ortiz to discuss his challenging childhood and having to raise his younger brother sans their parents. De La Hoya, who’s been serving as a mentor to Ortiz, says Victor’s story and drive has personally inspired him. It’s not included here, but De La Hoya also mentioned Ortiz has the ability to be an all-time great, and sees the Mayweather bout as a “passing of the torch.”

“I don’t want to explain to her [my wife] anymore that I’m doing well. I want to show her.”

Oscar De La Hoya is a out of rehab and discussing in-depth the drug problems, alcoholism, womanizing and depression that he claims nearly led to a suicide. Even now talking about it after three months clean, he can’t pinpoint what void was missing in his life that led him down this road.

Considering that he cites Oscar De La Hoya as one of his early boxing idols, maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Victor Ortiz is reaching out to the fairer sex ahead of his September 17 title defense against Floyd Mayweather. Those old enough to remember can recall that girls and women adored De La Hoya and could regularly be heard screaming at his weigh-ins like it was a teeny-bopper concert. It would be one of reasons that some hardcore fights fans, especially those who were Mexican, never completely warmed to the clean-cut, Hollywood-like image of the Golden Boy.

Ortiz’s photos were a collection of shots released as part of new underwear campaign for FreshPair.com. The photos were picked up by celebrity news site TMZ. Despite the unflattering headline (“Boxer Victor Ortiz Modeling Man Panties…), I’m sure Ortiz’s team doesn’t mind the mainstream publicity. Thankfully, boxing matches are settled with fists and not modeling. For those so inclined, you can check out the rest of the photos on the below link.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/26/victor-ortiz-floyd-mayweather-fight-boxing-underwear-freshpair-spokesperson-model-boxers-briefs/?adid=hero3