"KNOCKOUT KINGS II: Andre Berto vs. Jesus Soto Karass" Final Press Conference Quotes‏; SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Tripleheader Saturday, July 27, LIVE on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) From AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas

ANDRE BERTO, Former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion

"There's really not much to say, these guys had said it all.

"I'm in tremendous shape, I'm focused. I'm going to put on a hell of a performance.

"I'm just going to go in there and be me. I'm not worried about the title of the show, I'm not worried about his record. I'm just going to go in there and get the win.

"I am in great shape and I have everything to bring to the table. I have the speed, I have the power. I have the explosiveness and I'm going out there and do what I know how to do.

"I've known Virgil (Hunter) since I was 13 so it's not like he's a stranger to me. Everything's been flowing pretty well and it's been a great situation for me.

"The show is called Knockout Kings but no matter how it goes, I know it's going to be exciting. You're definitely going to see a lot of speed, a lot of power and a lot of explosiveness, it's going to be an exciting show.

"It's going to be a hell of a fight; I'm in shape. I'm in good spirits. I'm focused and I know Soto Karass is ready too."

Andre Berto, Jesus Soto Karass, Omar Figueroa, Keith Thurman - Pre-Fight Action - SHOWTIME; A lineup of power-punchers is ready to rock San Antonio when Showtime Championship Boxing rolls into town. Watch Andre Berto, Jesus Soto Karass, Omar Figueroa Jr., and Keith Thurman in action before they throw down live on SHOWTIME, Saturday July 27 at 9PM ET/PT.

JESUS SOTO KARASS, Veteran Welterweight Contender

"My preparation has been great. My team knows what Berto brings. He's an ex-champion. We know that he's a quality fighter and he's tough. But that's why we train for this.

"The losses you see on my record, I wasn't taking it serious. But, believe me, we're taking Andre Berto very serious. Not only have I matured personally but I've matured in the ring. The preparation has been very good. We know we have a tough opponent, but we're here and we're prepared to win.

"Every fight I come with a different plan. We have a plan for Andre Berto. We have a Plan A, a Plan B, it doesn't matter; we'll be ready for him.

"My only prediction is it's going to be a war. I'm going to leave my heart in there. If I have to die in the ring I will

"Out of the ring we're friends, but inside the ring it's another thing. I don't have anything against Andre Berto but once we get in the ring I'm looking to knock him out.

"I want everyone to help, help me with breast cancer awareness. We have a raffle going on - it's $10 to buy a ticket and you can win the gloves and the trunks that I wear in the ring. Let's go knockout cancer as well.

"The reason I support Susan G. Komen is because of Oscar De La Hoya. It really touched my heart that Oscar lost his mother, Cecilia, to cancer. So being a boxer I felt like I would join that fight to knock out breast cancer.

"I'm ready; I'm only a pound-and-a-half away. I can't wait until tomorrow so I can get on the scale and go eat."

OMAR FIGUEROA, Undefeated Rising Star & WBC Lightweight Contender

"This is it, this is seventeen years of work. This is why every boxers starts, what every boxer dreams of. This is it. The goal is the green belt, that's the one, that's the best one. That's the one we all want.

"This is a great opportunity, this is what we have been working so hard for.

"I want to thank my opponent's team for having agreed to this fight, he's ranked number one and that's what we wanted.

"We don't take anybody lightly. We are ready, we know that a fight can take many directions with every step you take in the ring, so we are ready.

"I'm excited to be on this card. It's really an honor to fight in the KNOCKOUT KINGS because is one thing to be considered a fighter and another one to be considered a knockout artist.

"I'm fighting with great knockout artist such as Keith Thurman, Berto, Chaves and Arakawa and all these are great fighters

"We are the backbone [of boxing] because we fight to knock someone out, we try to provide the fans with the most excitement we can and we go in there ready for war."

NIHITO ARAKAWA, WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship Contender

"I'm happy to have this chance at my first world title. That gives me extra motivation to win this fight.

"I don't think I can win by points. I have to knock him out - I think that's my only chance to walk out of here with a world title

"My nickname is "Baby Faced Sniper," but when I saw Omar Figueroa it looks like he's a little bit more baby faced than I am. So I want to give him my nickname "Baby Faced Sniper."

"I've prepared for this world title chance for my entire life and I know Omar has prepared for this as well. We're both going to fight as hard as we can to get that first world title. I know I want it and I know he wants it, so it's going to be an exciting fight."

DIEGO CHAVES, WBA Interim Welterweight World Champion

"We know we have a tough opponent, we have very similar records, neither of us can lose concentration during the fight because it can end with only one punch that's why we are very well prepared and we know we can take the win.

"I know Keith is a good fighter, but I hope he's ready because I'm going to show him and the world why I'm a world champion and why this belt is coming back with me to Argentina.

"He may be undefeated, but he's never faced anyone like me.

"I've been training hard, very hard. We are looking forward to a great fight, and we are confident the we'll come out victorious.

"It's going to be a war. I'm not going to leave my belt in the judges' hands- I plan on taking care of Thurman on my own."

KEITH THURMAN, WBA World Championship Welterweight Contender

"It's a tremendous fight. I'm 20-0 with 18 knockouts; Chaves is 22-0 with 18 knockouts. You don't see this very often with young fighters.

"But I'm the kind of fighter that's knocking on everybody's door. Everybody in the welterweight division will soon know about Keith "One Time" Thurman. We're moving up one step at a time and we're going to step over Diego on Saturday night, guaranteed.

"The KO bonus has nothing to do with the way I fight. My motto is already KOs for life and the nickname "One Time." I do my best to get the fighter out of there because if we don't have to do the distance then that, to me, is a job well done.

"We're always looking for that knockout; we're always looking for that one punch that can change the fight around. That's just me, that's just "One Time." That knockout bonus is just another check waiting.

"I definitely don't think he's faced anyone like me. That's why I'm confident. I believe he's been spoon-fed his entire career. A lot of people say the fighters I've fought knew I was favored, but they were still world-class fighters and I dominated them each and every round. And I plan on dominating Diego Chaves every round Saturday night.

"Knockout Kings II - this event has that title for a reason. I guarantee you'll get your moneys' worth."

ANTHONY DIRRELL, Light Heavyweight Contender

"I battled cancer and it didn't hold me down. I'm still here and I'm ready.

"Coming up this Saturday, I'll win with by knockout. "

ANTHONY HANSHAW, Light Heavyweight Contender

"It doesn't matter what happened when I fought his brother. The fact that I lost to Andre just gives me extra motivation. When I fought Andre, I wasn't in shape at all. But I'm in some of the best shape of my career to fight Anthony. I had a great camp and I'm ready to give him the first loss of his career."

JESSE JAMES LEIJA, Former World Champion & Boxing Legend

"I want to thank the Susan G. Komen Beast Cancer Foundation - you are important in every one of our lives because we all have moms. But that's not to say that men can't get breast cancer as well.

"I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for giving us the opportunity to put on the type of fights that we've been bringing to San Antonio.

"I also want to thank SHOWTIME. I won my first world title on SHOWTIME and fought several times on the network, so it's not just a thing for me to say that I'm proud to be them. It means a lot more than just face value; it's what in my heart because they've been with me for several years.

"We're still recovering from the Canelo-Trout fight and now we're bringing Knockout Kings II where we have three world title fights and I don't know who is going to win. Will the fights go the distance? Probably not when you have these types of punchers. Who's going to win the fights? I have no idea. Am I going to be in the front row? You bet.

"I've watched these guys on TV and I'm awed by the type of power that they have. Omar - I call him 'Mini Mike Tyson' - I hope he gives us two rounds so we can really appreciate the power that he has."

ABOUT "KNOCKOUT KINGS II"   

"Knockout Kings II," featuring former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto facing tough Mexican veteran contender Jesus Soto Karass in a 12-round main event for the vacant NABF Welterweight Championship, takes place Saturday, July 27 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  In the 12-round co-featured attractions, Weslaco, Texas' undefeated rising star Omar Figueroa Jr. squares off against Japan's Nihito Arakawa for the vacant WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship in a fight promoted in association with Teiken Promotions and undefeated power-puncher Diego Chaves faces fellow unbeaten knockout artist Keith Thurman for Chaves' WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship in a fight promoted in association with KO International.  The tripleheader will be broadcast live on SHOWTIME® at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT and will be available in Spanish via second audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME^® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

"KNOCKOUT KINGS II," featuring former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto facing tough Mexican veteran contender

"KNOCKOUT KINGS II," featuring former Two-Time Welterweight
 World Champion Andre Berto facing tough Mexican veteran contender
 Jesus Soto Karass in a 12-round main event for the vacant NABF
 Welterweight Championship, takes place Saturday, July 27 at the AT& T
 Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy
 Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and
 AT&T. In the 12-round co-featured attractions, Weslaco, Texas' undefeated
 rising star Omar Figueroa Jr. squares off against Tokyo's Nihito Arakawa for
 the vacant WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship in a fight
 promoted in association with Teiken Promotions and undefeated power-
 puncher Diego Chaves faces fellow unbeaten knockout artist Keith Thurman
 for Chaves' WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship in a fight
 promoted in association with KO International. The tripleheader will be
 broadcast live on SHOWTIME® at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT and will be available
 in Spanish via second audio programming (SAP).

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

"Knockout Kings II" Featuring Andre Berto vs. Jesus Soto Karass & Undefeated Rising Stars Keith Thurman vs. Diego Chaves Lands At The AT&T Center in San Antonio on July 27 Live on SHOWTIME - Tickets Go On Sale Friday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. CT‏

"KNOCKOUT KINGS II" FEATURING FORMER TWO-TIME

WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE BERTO FACING

PERENIAL CONTENDER JESUS SOTO KARASS AND UNDEFEATED

RISING STARS KEITH THURMAN AND DIEGO CHAVES SQUARING OFF FOR WBA INTERIM WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LANDS AT THE AT&T CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO ON JULY 27

PLUS, UNBEATEN TEXAS SENSATION OMAR FIGUEROA JR.

FACES JAPAN'S NIHITO ARAKAWA FOR WBC INTERIM LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

SHOWTIME^® TO TELEVISE TRIPLEHEADER LIVE

San Antonio, Texas will once again be the site of a major boxing event when SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® returns to the Lone Star State on Saturday, July 27 with "KNOCKOUT KINGS II," a spectacular night of world-class fights at the AT&T Center featuring a tripleheader starring some of the sport's brightest stars live on SHOWTIME.

In the 12-round main event, former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto is back in the ring to take on tough Mexican contender Jesus Soto Karass.  Plus, unbeaten knockout artist Keith Thurman and fellow power-puncher Diego Gabriel Chavesbattle for Chaves' WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship and Weslaco, Texas' undefeated rising star Omar Figueroa Jr. squares off against Tokyo's Nihito Arakawa for the vacant WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship.

The event marks the return of co-promoters Golden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions to San Antonio where they recently promoted the April 20 blockbuster fight between Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout which had almost 40,000 fans in attendance.

"Texas is our new home away from home and it's great to be returning so soon after the Alvarez-Trout mega event in April," said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  "That event proved that boxing is alive and well and on July 27, we're going to have another stacked card that will pack the AT&T Center."

"Leija-Battah Promotions is thrilled to be co-hosting another SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event in San Antonio in collaboration with Golden Boy Promotions," said Mike Battah, President of Leija & Battah Promotions.  "The people of San Antonio and Texas demonstrated their affinity for boxing on April 20 at the Canelo vs. Trout sell-out event and we look forward to hosting multiple mega-fights yearly."

"We have always dedicated ourselves to providing the people of San Antonio and all of South Texas with a broad variety of first-class sports and entertainment events at the AT&T Center," said Rick Pych, Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations.  "San Antonio is a city that truly appreciates and supports boxing in a big way and this is a terrific opportunity for fight fans to witness three world-class bouts in an arena setting."

A member of the 2004 Haitian Olympic team, Andre Berto (28-2, 22 KO's) turned pro later that year and has never looked back.  A throwback fighter willing to go into the trenches to put on exciting bouts for his fans, the 29-year-old from Winter Haven, Florida first struck professional gold in 2008 when he stopped Miguel Rodriguez in the seventh round to win the WBC Welterweight World Championship.  Berto successfully defended the crown five times before losing it to Victor Ortiz in The Ring Magazine's 2011 Fight of the Year.  He bounced back five months later to defeat Jan Zaveck for the IBF Welterweight World Championship.  In his most recent bout, Berto engaged in a fight of the year candidate against Roberto Guerrero, losing a hard fought 12-round decision last November.

"It's been a long time since I've fought in Texas and I'm happy to be back fighting in front of the great fans here," said Berto.  "I'm hungrier than ever to get my title back and the first step is taking out Soto Karass on July 27."

One of the fight game's most rugged competitors, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico's Jesus Soto Karass (27-8-3, 17 KO's) always gives a supreme effort in the ring and, win or lose, his opponents never emerge from their fights with him unscathed.  Fresh off of a January win overSelcuk Aydin, the 30-year-old Soto Karass hopes to add Berto's name to a list of vanquished foes that includes Euri Gonzalez, Said El Harrak, Vince Phillips, David Estrada and Chris Smith.

"I respect what Andre Berto has done in his career and he's a tough fighter, but a win over him would be the biggest of my career," said Soto Karass.  "If I want to get a world title shot, I have to go through him to get it."

A crushing puncher with a 90% knockout rate, Clearwater, Florida's Keith "One Time" Thurman (20-0, 18 KO's) has raised his worldwide profile considerably since returning from a year-long injury induced layoff in 2012.  Since then, Thurman has gone 5-0 with four knockouts, with wins over Brandon Hoskins, Orlando Lora and former World Champion Carlos Quintana.  In his last fight in March, the 24-year-old scored a shutout win over former World Champion Jan Zaveck and on July 27, he challenges for his first world title.

"I'm looking forward to fighting for an interim title and doing it against someone like Chaves," said Thurman.  "I'm not going to have to chase him or get him to fight.  We're going to battle and I'm going to be the last man standing."

The latest in the line of hard-hitting standouts from Argentina, Diego Gabriel "La Joya" Chaves (22-0, 18 KO's) shares a similar fighting philosophy with his opponent, Thurman: to end matters as soon as possible.  Currently sporting a five-fight knockout streak, the 27-year-old Chaves won the WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship in July of last year with a second round knockout of Ismael El Massoudi and defended it two months later with an identical result against Jose Miranda.  Now he's back to fight in the United States for the first time since 2010.

"I appreciate the opportunity to fight in the United States and against someone with a great reputation like Keith Thurman," said Chaves. "We're proud people and proud fighters in Argentina and I'm going to show this to the world on July 27^th."

Adding to the knockout theme on July 27 is Texas' own titan, Weslaco native Omar "Panterita" Figueroa Jr. (21-0-1, 17 KO's), who has ended four of his last five wins with first round knockouts.  In April, the 23-year-old thrilled his home state fans with a first round knockout over then unbeaten top prospect Abner Cotto, winning the NABA and WBC Interim Silver Lightweight titles in the process.  He will draw on the energy from a San Antonio crowd for his third consecutive fight when he fights for his first world title against Arakawa on July 27.

"For me there's nothing like fighting at home in Texas and the fans of San Antonio have pushed me to new heights in my last two fights," said Figueroa.  "I'm looking forward to giving them another big knockout win."

Fighting out of Tokyo, Japan, 31-year-old southpaw Nihito Arakawa (24-2-1, 16 KO's) is a nine-year veteran guaranteed to give Figueroa some looks he has never seen in the ring before.  A Japanese and OPBF lightweight champion, Arakawa has won 11 of his last 12 bouts, most recently dispatching Pakphum Tor Pornchai in two rounds on May 4.  On July 27, he'll enter hostile territory with the goal of pinning a "1" on Figueroa's loss column.

"I'm looking forward to fighting in the United States for the first time against a tough opponent like Omar Figueroa," said Arakawa.  "I'm coming here to put on a great show and take the title back to Japan with me."

"KNOCKOUT KINGS II," featuring Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto vs. tough Mexican contender Jesus Soto Karass in a 12-round welterweight main event, takes place Saturday, July 27 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  In the 12-round co-featured attractions, unbeaten knockout artist Keith Thurman and fellow power-puncher Diego Gabriel Chaves battle for Chaves' WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship in a fight promoted in association with KO International and Weslaco, Texas' undefeated rising star Omar Figueroa Jr. squares off against Tokyo's Nihito Arakawa for the vacant WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship in a fight promoted in association with Teiken Promotions.  The tripleheader will be broadcast live on SHOWTIME and will be available in Spanish via second audio programming (SAP).

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

FLOYD "MONEY" MAYWEATHER & ROBERT "THE GHOST" GUERRERO QUOTES FROM BACK-TO-BACK MEDIA WORKOUTS IN LAS VEGAS Plus Mayweather Promotions Fighters J'Leon Love, Luis Arias & Badou Jack

FLOYD MAYWEATHER, Eight-Time and Five-Division World Champion

"I've got to give thanks to everybody; there are so many different sponsors, Corona, Valvoline, MGM Grand and so many other people that have supported me throughout the years, all my fans, the media, my followers on Twitter.  To SHOWTIME, CBS and all the other networks that have been showing love to me.

"SHOWTIME has let me do a lot of creative things.  '30 Days In May,' 'ALL ACCESS' and we have another documentary coming out on CBS.  I have a new relationship and a new marriage and I'm happy now.

"Freedom is very, very important.  You can be locked up and be rich, but it's just like being poor if you don't have freedom.  So, freedom is very, very important.  That's how I feel.

"I have another big fight on May 4th and it is against Robert Guerrero, 'The Ghost.'  This guy is very, very confident and he believes in himself.  We know he has only one loss, but they say a true champion can bounce back.

"It's obvious he did something right to get to this point.  It's obvious he did something right in the Andre Berto fight.  He dedicated himself to his craft, which is boxing.  He stayed focused and he listened to his corner.

"I want a fighter to come in confident.  We don't want the odds to be crazy, but the odds will always be crazy because I've proven myself over the years.  But we want a fighter like Robert Guerrero who's confident and believes in his skills.  Only thing that we [The Money Team] can do is push me to the limit and take me to that next level.  That's what it's about.

"Now he [Robert Guerrero] got the fight with me.  The game plan is to go out there, be smart and get the victory the best way I know how, continue to give the fans what they want to see, work hard and set record-breaking numbers.

"I'm a winner.  I like to perform.  I like to entertain and that's what it's about.  It's about going out and giving the fans what they want - excitement.

"I've faced every style so it's not hard for me to make an adjustment.  I just have to go out there and see my dad's game plan is going to be.

"Like I always say for every fight, everybody had a game plan.  All 43 of my opponents had a game plan and all 43 opponents came up short.  So, I could care less what my opponent has to say.  There isn't a blueprint on how to beat me.  No one has found a way to break the Mayweather code.

"Being a legend, wanting your name mentioned in the mix of other fighters' names, that's why I work so hard right now.  I've been fighting since 1987.  I've been a professional for 17 years.  I've been dedicated to my craft.

"I don't think the layoff will affect me.  My dad is back in my corner.  My dad is my lead trainer, but I'm also working with my uncle Roger.  The Mayweather family, as of right now, has good chemistry.

"Camp has gone tremendously.  My weight has already been made, and I'm ready to fight.  I feel good and, like I said, I couldn't do it without the support from the fans.  When I was locked away, the fans wrote me letters and sent cards and I really appreciated that.

"This is world championship boxing and it's always blood, sweat and tears.  It's not a sport if there isn't blood, sweat and tears.  I'm happy that my dad is back in my camp and we're going strong.  It's good working with him.  If we have a problem and we're not seeing eye-to-eye, we pull each other to the side, talk about it and we get on the same page."

ROBERT GUERRERO, Six-Time and Four-Division World Champion

"My lucky number is 44.  So you know, I'm ready to go.  I'm excited and I've worked hard for this.  I've worked hard to be in this position.  God has blessed me with a lot.  I'm ready.  I've had the right fights to be here.  I've been built up the right way.  I'm ready to go.  I feel ready.  I had two good fights as a welterweight weight class before this.  It was what I needed to break into the weight class.

"You've got to be ready to do everything [when fighting Floyd Mayweather].  People say you need to have an A, B and C game plan, but with Floyd, you need an A to Z game plan.  You've got to be ready for whatever because Floyd is the type of guy that makes adjustments here and there and he makes it tough for fighters to get in there with him.  You've got to be ready to make those adjustments; we've been practicing a lot of stuff.  Our game plan is to go out there and be 100 percent ready and be able to make those adjustments.  Throughout my career everybody has seen that I've been able to make adjustments.

"For a lot of guys, Floyd gets into their head and he frustrates them.  They lose their game plan.  That game plan goes out the door.  That being said, you also have to be able to execute a game plan and a lot of these guys know what they need to do, but they don't have the ability to do it.

"You've got to go in there and fight an intelligent fight with Floyd.  He is a very sharp guy, a very smart guy in the ring.  That is why he is 43-0.  It's about being smart, using your head in the ring and maintaining your game plan.

"My wife's battle with cancer really made me grow as a man.  It makes you mentally strong.  She is fighting for her life.  Being a caretaker makes you a mentally strong person.  That is why I laugh when you say this is just a fight compared to that because it is.  It's just a fight.  That is one of the things that I learned from her whole fight with cancer.  Being mentally strong, being able to hold it together and pushing through is what counts.

"[When asked if the pressure will affect him] I laugh because it is laughable.  To have people ask me questions and this and that, that isn't pressure at all.  Raising two kids and having a wife dying from cancer, now that's pressure.  So this is no problem.  This just comes with the territory and you've got to do it to take care of business."

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

"Mayweather vs. Guerrero is the biggest fight of the year.  Everyone is excited, and we want the fans to be engaged. It's going to be a great, great fight.

"I think he [Guerrero] put himself in this position by beating a very good fighter in Andre Berto.  It was a very exciting fight and he proved that he could fight Floyd. I think he put himself in the position where he became more than a viable opponent. He became 'the guy.'

"It doesn't matter what the manager says and it doesn't matter what the promoter says.  It will be up to the fighters come May 4th.

"He's [Floyd Mayweather] a lot more laid back, and he values freedom.  Having been incarcerated was definitely a life-changing experience for him.  It was something he hadn't experienced before.  No one wants to be in that situation.  There's nothing to prepare you for something like that.  The environment and conditions he was placed in made it tough.  But that's behind him.  He did his time and it's time to move on."

RICHARD SCHAEFER, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

"It's a Mayweather fight and a Mayweather fight is the Super Bowl of boxing.

"A Mayweather fight means a sold out venue and great buzz in Las Vegas.  It's going to be one of those nights when The Money Team will show up against Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero.

"Robert Guerrero has moved up several weight classes and is always perceived as the little guy, but he is bigger than Mayweather.  He has a height advantage on him.

"Guerrero is one of the most underrated fighters.  When this fight was made, he was a nine to one underdog, and I checked yesterday and now he's a four to one [underdog].  As people get to know Robert Guerrero, through the CBS exposure and the pay-per-view promotion, etc., I think people are starting to realize that there is a reason Robert Guerrero hasn't lost in almost several years.

"I have no doubt that Guerrero is the most dangerous opponent that Mayweather has faced in a long time."

"Robert hasn't really lost since 2008 and the one loss he has, the only loss on his record, was against a guy who we found out later was on performance enhancing drugs.  They had a rematch and he  [Guerrero] stopped him inside of three rounds.

"Robert really is undefeated.  He has the size advantage.  He has the youth, and for those people who watched his fight against Berto, they could see how remarkably he was able to take Berto's punches.  Berto is one of the toughest, hardest punching guys in the 147-pound weight class.  He is a natural 147-pounder and Robert just walked through him.  That just shows you how tough he is.

"Now if Guerrero is able to take Berto's shots, how can Floyd Mayweather possibly hurt him?  If you can't hurt Robert Guerrero, then he is going to be coming all night long, and it is going to be a long night for Floyd Mayweather.

"I know it is going to be a great fight because Robert is coming to fight.  He has wanted this fight for so long.  Over the last three or four years they [Team Guerrero] kept saying to me, 'I want Mayweather.  I want Mayweather.'  So finally it is here.  Two weeks to go.  Robert Guerrero is motivated. 

"He [Guerrero] isn't just fighting for himself, but he is doing it for all the cancer survivors as well.  He's getting tremendous support from the Christian community as well.

"Of course Floyd Mayweather is in a class of his own.  He's undefeated and pound-for-pound the best fighter and as he always says, '43 have tried and 43 have failed and this is going to be number 44.'  So we'll see.''

J'LEON LOVE, Rising Middleweight Star

"Having Floyd [Mayweather] as a mentor and seeing him train in the gym everyday is such a special opportunity for a young fighter like myself.  He is the best in boxing and just being around him and watching him train the way that he does has already taught me a lot.

 "I'm ready to go on May 4th and I'm so grateful to Mayweather Promotions for giving me the opportunity to open the pay-per-view portion of the event.  I've been training hard.  I'm prepared to go in there against Gabriel Rosado and give it my all.

"I don't take anything for granted.  I feel this is a moment in my career that I will remember for a long time and I'm looking forward to showing Floyd and boxing fans worldwide that they can count on me to become a world champion in the near future."

BADOU JACK, Top Light Heavyweight Prospect

"Eddie [Mustafa Muhammad] is a great trainer.  He's like a father figure to me.  He's like family.  He's a great motivator, so having him in my corner makes me very confident.

"He [Floyd Mayweather] is one of the greatest fighters of our era, so it is a great feeling for a guy like that to have your back."

LUIS ARIAS, Top Super Middleweight Prospect

"Camp is going really well.  I'm definitely excited.  Obviously this is a huge platform for me and a great opportunity for me.  It's an exciting part of my life to be only 4-0 and be fighting on such a big stage, but I'm ready.

"I'm young and I'm hungry. This is what I wanted.

"Sparring with Floyd is an unbelievable thing.  My confidence is at an all time high." 

"MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero," a 12-round fight for Mayweather's WBC Welterweight World Championship and the vacant Ring Magazine Welterweight World Championship, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O'Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Star Trek Into Darkness and Valvoline. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV^® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Also featured will be WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon taking on Two-Division World Champion Abner Mares in a 12-round fight for Ponce de Leon's WBC Featherweight World Championship, former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz facing veteran Alexander Munoz in a 10-round fight for the vacant USBA Junior Featherweight Championship and rising star J'Leon Love squaring off against recent world title challenger Gabriel Rosado in a 10-round middleweight battle for the vacant NABF Middleweight Championship.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Victor Conte statement about Andre Berto's positive drug test

Victor Conte statement about Andre Berto's positive drug test

I had absolutely nothing to do Andre Berto's positive drug test for nandrolone.

Andre enrolled in the VADA drug testing program in early 2012. While using my nutritional products and protocols Andre's blood and urine were randomly tested twice before his recent bicep injury and all tests were negative. After his positive test was revealed, Andre admitted that he recently took some supplements that were not provided by me and did so without my knowledge. It is possible that one these supplements was contaminated with trace amounts of nandrolone and caused his positive test result. My understanding is that an investigation is being conducted in an attempt to determine the culprit. I was the person who encouraged Andre to enroll in the VADA program and I will continue to encourage athletes to do so. There have been hundreds of nandrolone positive drug tests in the past that I believe were a result of contaminated supplements. Nandrolone is the longest lasting anabolic steroid known to man and therefore it is unlikely that any elite athlete would ever use it in and attempt to cheat. However, the strict liability rule makes an athlete responsible for whatever is in their body regardless of how it got there. I do my best to help athletes to make good choices, but unfortunately they do not always listen to my advice.

Victor Conte

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

VICTOR ORTIZ vs. ANDRE BERTO II PRESS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Former World Champions Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto held a press conference on Monday in Los Angeles to formally announce their upcoming rematch of the 2011 “Fight of the Year” on Saturday, June 23, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO’s), of Ventura, Calif., and Berto (28-1, 22 KO’s), of Winter Haven, Fla., will square off more than one year after their classic slugfest was named 2011 “Fight of the Year” (USA Today, Ring Magazine) for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship. The eagerly awaited 12-round fight, which was originally scheduled for February but was postponed when Berto suffered an arm injury in late January, is a rematch of a fiercely contested, multiple-knockdown affair on April 16, 2011 that Ortiz won by a unanimous decision while capturing Berto’s WBC 147-pound title.

Ortiz went on to lose the WBC title in his next fight to pound-for-pound champ Floyd Mayweather via a controversial knockout while Berto won the IBF Welterweight title in his next fight, but then relinquished it with hopes of avenging the only loss of his career against Ortiz.

In the June 23 co-feature, Mexican legend and former Three Division World Champion Humberto Soto (54-7-1, 24 KOs), of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, will face Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse (30-2, 28 KOs) in a 12-round super lightweight bout.

"Ortiz vs. Berto II: The Rematch," is the highly anticipated 12-round welterweight rematch of USA Today and Ring Magazine's 2011 Fight of the Year between former World Champions "Vicious" Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship which will take place Saturday, June 23 at at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The co-feature will see former Three-Division World Champion Humberto "Zorrita" Sotobattle Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse in a 12-round super lightweight fight presented in association with Baja Boxing Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. The double-header will be telecast live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Here’s what the participants had to say on Monday.

VICTOR ORTIZ

“I’m counted out 100 percent of the time, but that’s my comfort zone.

“He’s a great fighter, but I’m here to win. It doesn’t matter that this is in my backyard. As long as there is a ring and gloves, I’m comfortable.

“I always fight with my back against the wall. I like being counted out. It makes me hungry.

“I told him I’m going to beat you again and he told me I got lucky. He tried to bring Floyd in, but I told him to keep this between me and him. Floyd doesn’t have anything to do with us. I beat him (Berto) last time and I’ll beat him again.

“The slugfests keep boxing alive. It keeps fans coming back and I expect another one in June.

“I didn’t want to wait, but the postponement gave me time to prepare a little bit more.”

ANDRE BERTO

“I didn’t have to take this fight. I vacated the title to make this happen again.

“This fight is for the fans. The last one was tremendous and this one is going to be even better.

“We’re doing it in Kobe’s (Bryant) house, so come out for a great fight. I know all the stars will come out for it

“I was disappointed with the injury. It was unfortunate, but I’m glad we made the fight happen. Now I’m back to avenge that loss.

“I just need to be smarter and there are a few things I’ll do differently this time.

“I came back from the Ortiz fight hungry, got a world title and gave it up to beat Ortiz. This is the most important fight of my career.

“I feel a lot better. We’re healed and ready to roll.”

HUMBERTO SOTO

“I’m happy to be fighting in Los Angeles. It feels like I’m fighting at home. I expect a very difficult fight. I want to fight like a true Mexican warrior.

“I’m hoping it can be for a world title. I’m going to be in top shape and ready for a war.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions:

“We expect a sellout on June 23. The first fight was a tremendous success and we expect the same for the rematch. The last one was the “Fight of the Year” and I don’t think this one will be any different. It will be an explosive fight once again. Will it be repeat or revenge?

“The co-main event will also be great. It has all the ingredients to be a classic. The co-main event could be a main event anywhere.

“We’re also excited that SHOWTIME will also showcase the fighters in FIGHT CAMP 360 with three episodes leading up to the fight.”

RON RIZZO, VP of Operations of DiBella Entertainment

“These guys belong in a venue like this and it’s going to be an amazing event.

“Andre is one of the most dedicated guys I’ve seen in any sport. He’s looking to correct a wrong from last April and I believe he’s going to do it.”

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Victor Ortiz-Andre Berto II Rescheduled For June 30

According to Victor Ortiz’ manager Rolando Arellano, Ortiz fight with Andre Berto has been rescheduled for June 30 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. “I would like to dismiss any rumors that Victor may fight Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero first,” said Arellano. “Victor’s primary obligation is to fight Andre Berto. The fight was to have taken place this Saturday, Feb. 11, but had to be postponed because Berto suffered a training injury last week. Guerreo is a fine young man and a very good fighter and we would be pleased to fight him in what could be an entertaining match.

“However, I would suggest that Robert not wait around for Victor but restart his career that was interrupted by a training injury that required surgery. If the opportunity arises in the future to fight Guerrero, we would be happy to commence discussions. But for now, Victor Ortiz’ focus, as it has been for the past three months, is to fight and defeat Andre Berto again in a match that boxing fans the world over want to see.”
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

ANDRE BERTO INJURY FORCES CANCELLATION OF FEBRUARY 11 FIGHT AGAINST VICTOR ORTIZ POSSIBLE POSTPONEMENT DATE BEING DISCUSSED

Due to a left biceps injury sustained while training on Monday, January 30, Andre Berto will be unable to compete in his scheduled February 11 SHOWTIME televised bout against Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., forcing a cancellation of the event on that date. All parties involved are actively seeking a possible postponement date for Ortiz vs. Berto II.

Information regarding previously purchased tickets being honored for a possible postponement date will be released as it becomes available or, alternatively, ticketholders can contact their place of purchase for refunds.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Jan Zaveck vs. Andre Berto September 3rd IBF Welterweight Championship clash

IBF welterweight champion Jan Zaveck (31-1, 18 KOs) and Andre Berto (27-1, 21 KOs). The show will take place at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, and air live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark at 10:45 P.M. ET and PT

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.