Photo Credits: Tom Hogan
SAN ANTONIO — Halloween was the occasion yesterday for the first press conferenco announcing the December 14 quadruple-header headlined by Adrien Broner defending his WBA welterweight title against Marcos Maidana. The most alarming thing about the presser was the bloated appearance of Broner, who looked more like a long-lost member of 3-6 Mafia over an actual elite fighter.
Also on hand was Keith Thurman, who’ll be defending against Jesus Soto Karass in a potential thrilling slugfest. Leo Santa Cruz and Victor Ortiz, who’ll be returning to the ring for the first time since summer 2012, also gave their thoughts on their matchups. Take note of the fact WBA light-heavyweight titlist Beibut Shumenov has been added to this card. He’ll probably be a Hopkins opponent for early 2014.
ADRIEN BRONER
Like I’ve said before, I’ll fight whoever you all want me to fight. The next one is going to be the same way. After I (expletive) him up on Dec. 14, I’ll fight whoever you want.
(To Maidana on training with Robert Garcia)
You can train different. You can lift weights with your teeth. You can push cars for two months straight. That doesn’t matter. I got the skills to pay the bills and I got enough will, my last name could be Smith.
There are a lot of people who hate me, but the haters are going to love me at the end of the day. They just don’t know it yet. On Dec 14 I hope my haters become fans. You’ll love me eventually because I love all y’all.
I want to acknowledge the troops (members of the U.S. Military in attendance at the press conference). I train in Colorado Springs. I had the opportunity to go to Kuwait and Afghanistan to meet the troops a while back and while I was sleeping, I could feel the ground shaking. We were getting bombed and I didn’t even know it at the time. That (expletive) over there is for real. Y’all are real fighters and y’all have given us the opportunity to do what we do. So, I thank you.
It’s going to be a hell of a fight. I can promise you this. It’s going to get ugly. I am talking (former NBA players) Sam Cassell, Tyrone Hill ugly. I don’t know if he’s faking that he doesn’t speak English. But after Dec 14, he’ll speak English. I am going for the knockout. Strap up.
(On what Maidana brings to the ring)
He can hit but Mark McGuire can hit too. But if he can’t hit anything, his power shot becomes irrelevant. I want him to be 100 percent in this fight. I don’t want any excuses.
(Regarding his knockout prediction)
The Argentine fighters are strong for six rounds. They can’t go much past six. This fight is over shortly after the sixth.
Who is doing it like me? Nobody.
MARCOS MAIDANA
This is a fight I wanted. I wanted to fight the best and Adrien Broner is the champion so I am going to come prepared. I am very enthused. This is for the championship of the world. I am focused and will be 1000 percent ready and I am going to win..
Every fight, I have changed and I’ve improved my arsenal. Come Dec. 14, you are going to see a champion in Marcos Maidana.
(The key to beating Broner)
The key is to throw a lot of punches. Pressure him. Kick his ass. And that’s what I am going to do.
(On nuances in preparing for this fight)
I have not changed my style because this is who I am and that is how I fight. But Robert (Garcia) has sharpened my skills. He’s given me more composure in the ring and helped me to pick my shots and be even more aggressive than before.
KEITH THURMAN
One Time. I am just so happy to be here. I am back. I am back in San Antonio to give another great performance. My motto is ‘knockout for life’. I am not called ‘One Time’ for nothing. I come to bring the hurt.
Fighters think they know what they’re getting into when they step into the ring. But no one can prepare for this. I am a beast. Dec. 14 is what I live for. That action. Getting hit, taking hits, giving hits. Seeing if they can take my hits, which they can’t do for long.
I am honored that Soto Karass took this fight. There are a lot of guys that won’t take this fight. It gets me excited to know that I am going to meet someone like me in the ring. A true warrior. Someone that lives for the fight. Just like me, he’s not afraid of anybody.
I have to skip Thanksgiving. Sacrifices, sacrifices. But I can’t wait for Dec. 14. It’s going to be a special night.
There isn’t anything he can do to challenge me. No one can test me. I am testing you and you’ll fail. I come with a passion, drive, desire and will. Not just ordinary will, but the will to be champion. You saw that will in my last fight, and Soto Karass is the type of fighter that can bring that out in me again. Once that comes out, it’s over for him.
(On ability of Soto Karass to challenge him)
He’s tough. Some people say he’s really tough. But when it comes to boxing, it takes skills. It’s nice to be tough, but tough isn’t tough enough. If you don’t have the skills, it doesn’t matter. You have to be well rounded in this sport. I showed my versatility in my last fight and I’ll show you more on Dec. 14.
Other than Mayweather, you are looking at the best welterweights in the world (on this card). Adrien Broner is the world champ. I am the Interim Champion. Marcos Maidana is ranked No. 1 by the WBA. This division is packed. I just happen to be one of the most talented.
JESUS SOTO KARASS
Thank you. Especially to you, the people of San Antonio for letting me return and fight in this great city. I am excited to be back, and fighting Keith Thurman. I have seen him fight. We’ve been on the same cards before, so I know what he has and he knows what I have. Come Dec. 14, I am going to bring it. I am coming to take that title back to Los Mochis (Mexico).
He has the same heart, but the difference is that I have bigger balls.
I respect him but once we get into the ring, I don’t have that respect any more. My corner and myself will make adjustments once we get into the fight. I am going to war in the gym. I have bruises from the gym because I am preparing myself very well.
Mentally, I know that I need to train hard and be ready. I need to be successful and win in order to provide for my family.
There is no pressure. I know what I have to do. I have to attack and go to war in order to win this fight.
LEO SANTA CRUZ
Thank you for bringing me to Texas. I always heard that I should fight in Texas and now I am here. I am grateful to give the fans what they want and for having the chance to be seen by so many people. Thank you for putting me on big shows.
CESAR SEDA
The opportunity to fight for this world title is a big deal for me. I am going to come prepared. I am going to continue with the great tradition of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico. I know I am not the favorite. I am not fighting at home. So I am going to do everything possible to come to PR with my hand raised up.
VICTOR ORTIZ
I shot a movie (‘The Expendables’). I did “Dancing With Stars,” but through all that, in the back of my mind, I kept telling myself that I will be world champion again and that’s why I am here.
Enjoy these fights. We have some of the greatest fighters of this era up here, so you are in for a treat. I will be world champion again, like it or not. Step aside. I am here.
BEIBUT SHUMENOV
I am excited. I am honored. I am looking forward to showing my skills.
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“DANGER ZONE: Broner vs. Maidana,” a 12-round fight for Broner’s WBA welterweight world championship taking place on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, is promoted byGolden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Grudge Match. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, Keith Thurman will defend his interim WBA welterweight Championship against Jesus Soto Karass. Leo Santa Cruz will put his WBC super bantamweight world title on the line against Cesar Seda in a 12-round bout and “Vicious” Victor Ortiz will make his much anticipated return to the ring. Plus, Beibut Shumenov faces Tamas Kovacs in a 12-round clash for Shumenov’s WBA light heavyweight title. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will air live at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT and can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME®at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Tickets priced at $250, $200, $150, $100, $75, $50, $25, $20 and $10, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, went on sale today, Thursday, Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. CT and are available at the Alamodome box office, or through Leija*Battah Promotions by calling (210) 979-3302 or emailing m@leijabattahpromo.com or online at www.ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (800) 745-3000.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 