Final Words: Knockout Kings!
CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion
“I feel so much love, so much support. I want to thank my fans. This is a special moment for me.
“I remember seeing great fighters fight here and fight on this stage such as Mayweather for example. I grew up dreaming about what it would be like to fight on a stage like this and now I am here. I want to take advantage of this fight, this opportunity and stay here for a long time.
“We had plenty of time to get prepared for this fight. I am not underestimating Josesito Lopez one bit.
“We are going to do our job, win convincingly and make sure the fans leave happy.
“I always get enthusiastic about my opponents, and I am enthusiastic about this matchup against Josesito.
“Josesito has a lot of will. In this fight, he is going to have to show more will. I have to go in and showcase my skills.”
JOSESITO LOPEZ, Breakout Welterweight Star
“There’s nothing I can say that I haven’t said already about Saturday night.
“I know I have a big, big fight, a tough fight, the hardest fight of my life on Saturday night. I understand that I have to fight the best fight of my life to come out with a victory, and for that reason I prepared really well. I prepared to the best of my ability.
“This is the most important fight of my life. I’m thankful for this opportunity. Fighters with a few losses on their record don’t get opportunities like this very often.
“It’s going to be important to get Canelo’s attention early and be smart in the early rounds. Size means nothing to me – I was always the smaller kid fighting the bigger guys.
“I want to thank everyone that made this fight possible. Saturday night is going to be a great night of boxing and the better man will win. Long live Mexico.”
JHONNY GONZALEZ, WBC Featherweight World Champion
“I’d like to thank everyone responsible, including Golden Boy Promotions and all the sponsors. I’m totally prepared for this and ready to defend my title.
“Ponce De Leon is a tough guy, but I know a win Saturday can open up more doors for me and lead me to bigger and better things.”
DANIEL PONCE DE LEON, Former World Champion
“I’d like thank Golden Boy Promotions, Frank Espinoza, my manager, and all the sponsors. My opponent is very good, very strong, but I’ve trained nine hard weeks for this and I am ready to go.
“I’m in the best shape possible. The knockout bonus is very motivating to me. I have the power to knock out Jhonny Gonzalez and win the world title and the $100,000 bonus.”
MARCOS MAIDANA, Former World Champion
“I’d like to thank everyone for being here and for the opportunity to fight a great opponent like Jesus Soto Karass.
“I’d like to thank my team for a great camp and for all the hard work. I’m prepared and ready to put it all on the line on Saturday night. I wish luck to all the fighters.”
JESUS SOTO KARASS, Welterweight Contender
“This is definitely a great opportunity for both of us and I am really looking forward to it.
“Maidana is a great fighter. The knockout bonus is nice, but for me, I need to stay focused and stick to my game plan.
“If the knockout comes, it comes. I trained very hard in Big Bear, so I am ready to win this fight and then, hopefully, fight for the world title.
“I’m going to give 100 percent. I hope to give all the fans something to celebrate on Mexican Independence Day.”
LEO SANTA CRUZ, IBF Bantamweight World Champion
“I’m excited and totally prepared. I’ve trained very hard. I know Eric Morel is a great champion. I promise to do my best and may the best man win on Saturday night.”
ERIC MOREL, Former Two-Division World Champion
“I’m extremely thrilled to get another great opportunity to win a world title. This time around is going to be different for me.
“I’m aware of Santa Cruz and know he’s a great young champion, but I’m looking forward to become the new IBF champion of the world.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions
“We are extremely proud to present you with a terrific card. Saturday is a special night for millions and especially for the fighters who are going to be participating this Saturday.
“September 16 is Mexican Independence Day, but September 15 all of the fighters will be fighting in the spirit of the holiday inside of that squared circle with a lot of heart and passion.
“We are expecting a sell out. Tickets are going extremely fast. We are expecting a sell out by tomorrow. Hurry up and get tickets.
“None of these fighters are talking trash. All of the trash talking, they will do with their fists. These fighters are professionals. They know they need to fight hard on Saturday night.
“Canelo Alvarez has accomplished a great deal in his career. All he wants to do is work hard and give the fans a great fight.”