‘Arch Enemies’ Conference Call Highlights!

On Saturday, February 25, four of boxing’s top athletes will participate in HBO’s Boxing After Dark from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

In the main event, the pride of St. Louis, Devon Alexander “The Great,” squares off against Argentinean knockout artist Marcos “El Chino” Maidana as the two junior welterweight stars move up to face off in a 10-round welterweight showdown.

Here is what the two had to say during a media conference call on Wednesday:

Maidana: I’m going to make my best efforts to give the people a great fight on February 25th.

Alexander: I’m ready to rock-and-roll. This is going to be an exiting fight for me, my debut at 147 and I’m just as excited to get into the ring with a warrior like Marco Maidana.

On the accusation of Alexander using Performance Enhancing Drugs:

Alexander: When I first heard the news, I laughed. My whole career has been clean and all of a sudden there are these accusations of me taking performance enhancing drugs. It’s ridiculous. I’ll take any test that they want me to take. I could test everyday if they want. It’s ludicrous that they would think that or even put that out there.

Sebastian Contursi (Maidana’s Manager): We just want a regular doping test for the fight to be fair and we are sure Alexander has nothing to do with drugs.”

On fighting in Alexander’s hometown:

Maidana: I have no concerns at all. In the ring, there will only be Devon Alexander and myself who are fighting each other. I’m not worried at all.

I’m going to do my best and do my job in order to knock him out of course but if not, I know I have to win by a wide margin to get the decision. Sometimes you have these local decisions and everybody knows that so I think the best thing for me is to try and knock him out and put an end to that problem.

Alexander: I’m tired of the talks about fighting in my hometown. I’m going to fight & I’m going to win, it doesn’t matter where.

On fighting at 147:

Maidana: I know Devon Is very fast, not as fast as Amir Khan but he’s very fast and a very good boxer but I’ve trained very hard for this fight and had a great training camp so I’m here, I’m fast and strong. I have faith in myself and I’m going to win

Alexander: I believe in my skill and I believe in what I am capable of doing. I feel better at 147, your going to see a different Devon. The last couple of fights I was struggling to make 140, when it used to be a walk in the park for me. The extra 7 pounds will definitely have me back to the old Devon, you’re going to see the old me.

The co-featured fight will see Adrien “The Problem” Broner make his first title defense when he puts his WBO Junior Lightweight World Title on the line against unbeaten number one rated WBO contender Eloy “Prince” Perez.

Perez: I’m excited for February 25th, to show the world a real roll model and a new champ.

Adrian Broner is a good fighter, I give him his props for being the champ and doing his job but he’s never fought any body like me. He’s just not as good as me.

I’m tired of hearing his mouth and him rambling on. It’s time for a real role model and I will be the newly crowned champ.

Broner (After brushing his hair): I know (Perez) is going to try and come in and do his best but for me it’s just another night. They keep saying “Somebody’s ‘0’ gotta go” but it ain’t going to be mine.

I’ve seen guys like him in the amateurs. same thing different body. He’s talking just to hear himself talk. He knows what he’s stepping into. He’s bitten off more than he can chew.

On Perez’s low KO ratio:

Perez: I can pop, my record doesn’t mean anything. When he gets in there he’s going to know what it feels like and he’ll know that I’m here to fight. It’s not going to be an easy night.

Broner: you can’t tell how a man fights by his record. every man doesn’t fight every fight the same, so I’ll just make sure I’m in shape because when I’m in shape, I’m not going to lose. I don’t care what he’s packing or how hard he hits because he has to be able to hit me. Power or he’s working on his power doesn’t mean nothing if you cant hit nothing.

On Broner’s recent problem with Ponce de Leon:

Broner: I’m still young. I have a lot to learn and I’m still learning. We don’t go back. We only move forward. Those fights are in the past and I got the ‘W’. I learned from those fights and I’m 22-0 with 18 KO’s.

Perez: All his problems have been against Mexican fighters and I’m Mexican. I’ll take it to deep waters or shallow. Either way it’s going to be mine. That title will be mine.

On how their records compare:

Perez: I think I’ve had the harder career. everything Golden boy has put in my path, I’ve conquered. I’ve learned from my career and my two draws, I’m glad I have them. I feel I have the most experience.

Broner: we know who’s had the tougher opposition. That’s why I’m on HBO and this is his first time on HBO. We ain’t going to talk about records. He has to see me on February 25th.

In closing:

Broner: I’m ready and I’m going to make a statement and show everybody why I am the world champ. Bring out your sunglasses ’cause I’m going to shine.
Perez: I just want it. I just want to be a good role model for everybody out there and I feel like I’m the world champ. I’m not a clown, I’m not disrespectful. I’m the people’s champ.