CURTIS STEVENS READY TO DO WHAT HE DOES BEST - Curtis "Showtime" Stevens vs. Derrick Findley - Sat. April 20th - The Theater at Madison Square Garden

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Rising middleweight power puncher Curtis "Showtime" Stevens, 23-3, 17 KOs, is raring to go for his next outing, an 8-rounder against Derrick Findley, 20-9, 13 KOs, scheduled for Saturday afternoon, April 20th, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The fight will be part of a nationally televised NBC afternoon broadcast topped by the Tyson Fury vs. Steve Cunningham heavyweight elimination bout. The broadcast, which is part of the NBC Fight Night series, will begin at 4PM ET.

Stevens has been fighting as a pro since 2004, but it is his last two bouts that have started attracting serious attention. In January, he disposed of the usually durable Elvin Ayala in less than one round to win the vacant NABF middleweight title. That highlight-reel KO was his second straight first-round stoppage, and the Brooklyn native is looking to add another knockout to his collection.

"I don't get paid for overtime," Stevens said about his upcoming fight. "I go rounds in the gym, not in the ring."

Certainly Stevens has been on a real tear after a layoff stalled his promising career. But now that he's fighting regularly and has trimmed down to the middleweight division, the New Yorker looks like he could be a real player among the top fighters in the world.

In Findley, Stevens will be up against a sturdy opponent who's never been knocked out and who is always looking for a fight.

"He looks to knock you out, and that's what I do too," Findley said. "I'm pretty sureI won't have to look for him, and he damn sure won't have to look for me."

If this is true, the fight figures to be explosive.

"He's never been knocked out, but he's never been hit by a guy like me before," Stevens said.

With everyone watching, both live at the Garden and at home on TV, another strong showing by Stevens may start to open some important doors for him.

"This is a great opportunity to go out there and showcase my skills," Stevens said. "In December (NBC's last Saturday afternoon boxing event) four million people were watching, that's incredible. I'm excited to be here in my hometown, at the Mecca (Madison Square Garden), and fighting on NBC. On April 20th, I'll just do what I do best."  

APRIL 20TH FIGHT INFO  

April 20th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York features a 12-round heavyweight battle between Tyson Fury and Steve Cunningham in the main event. Curtis Stevens will take on Derrick Findley in the 8-round middleweight co-feature. Six additional bouts are planned for the undercard. Doors open at The Theater at Madison Square Garden doors open at 1:15PM ET. The main event and co-feature will be broadcast 4PM ET on NBC as a special 2 hour afternoon presentation of NBC  Fight Night. The card is presented by Hennessy Sports and Main Events.  

  

The main event is an official IBF Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #2 position. The winner must meet #1 or the leading available contender to establish the mandatory challenger for Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko.   

♔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.

FIGHTERS MAKE PREDICTIONS FOR EACH OTHER'S BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK MEGA-FIGHTS

FIGHTERS MAKE PREDICTIONS FOR EACH OTHER'S

BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK MEGA-FIGHTS 

Canelo Alvarez, Danny "Swift Garcia, Fernando Guerrero, Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, J'Leon Love, Abner Mares, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, Leo Santa Cruz and Austin "No Doubt" Trout Make Their Calls on Upcoming Championship Fights 

Fights Will Be Shown Live on SHOWTIME^® or SHOWTIME PPV^®

With the Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight between Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout coming up this weekend on Saturday, April 20 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, followed by the Unified Super Lightweight World Championship between Danny Garcia and Zab Judah at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, April 27 and the culmination of the back-to-back-to-back championship fight weekends, "MAY DAY: Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero" on Saturday, May 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, predictions are swirling around on the internet, in newspapers and on television from boxing scribes and fans doing their best to make their calls on what will happen in the upcoming fights.

Yet perhaps the predictions that hold the most weight are those of the pugilists themselves set to fight in the coming weeks.

Below are fight predictions from WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez,Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny "Swift Garcia,Middleweight Contender Fernando Guerrero,Six-Time and Four Division World Champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero,Middleweight Rising Star J'Leon Love, Two Division World Champion Abner Mares,WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin "No Doubt" Trout.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout - Saturday, April 20 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®

"I am going with Austin Trout, but he has to go in there and box.  He can't let Canelo Alvarez warm up too early.  If he drops hard punches, he'll pull it off."

- Danny Garcia

"Gotta go with Canelo Alvarez.  He's young and he's a mentally and physically strong person.  Also, the people (fans) make him better."

- Fernando Guerrero

"Canelo Alvarez is very hungry to prove all the doubters wrong.  Both fighters have tremendous heart and will give fans a night to remember.  Canelo has developed nicely and I'm giving him the edge in this fight based on pure desire.  His body attack will be the difference.  Canelo wins by mid-fight knockout."

- Robert Guerrero

 "I think Austin Trout will win because he has a better skill set and he's a better boxer."

- J'Leon Love 

"That's going to be a really exciting fight being that Canelo Alvarez has never faced a champion in his prime.  Austin Trout is a difficult fighter that just beat (Miguel) Cotto, but I think Canelo should win because he's younger and has a statement to make to let the world know that he is the real thing as a younger and hungrier fighter."

- Abner Mares

"I'm going with Canelo Alvarez because he's more powerful.  I think Canelo can win by knockout if Austin Trout is willing to exchange shots."

- Daniel Ponce de Leon

"This is a good matchup for boxing.  You can't go wrong with either fighter.  Its two top fighters at the top of their game.  I'm in the gym with Canelo Alvarez, and Austin Trout is my friend, so it is hard to pick."

- Peter Quillin

"I think Canelo Alvarez is going to win.  He comes forward.  It's going to be hard for Austin Trout to take Canelo's pressure and handle his strength.  Trout will make it difficult for Canelo, but I think he will win."

- Leo Santa Cruz

Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah - Saturday, April 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®

"This is a great fight.  I don't have a favorite.  The best fighter will win."

- Canelo

"Danny Garcia will win.  Zab Judah had his time. I think its Garcia's time now."

- F. Guerrero

"Zab Judah will make the proper adjustments in this fight, which will tame the young lion Garcia.  Danny's youth and punching power will even out Zab's experience.  This fight ends in draw."

- R. Guerrero

"I pick Danny Garcia because he is younger and stronger."

- Love

"This is another interesting fight.  I'm 100 percent sure that Danny Garcia is going to win.  No doubt the power punch is there.  I know that isn't everything for everyone, but that's everything for Garcia.  Zab Judah is an older guy.  He's an older fighter.  I think he's coming in with everything he has, but that isn't enough.  Youth and power trump age.  I pick Garcia by knockout."

- Mares

"Danny Garcia has power in his fists and will win by knockout.  He is young and full of energy."

- Ponce de Leon

"I think that in the first rounds Zab Judah will be a problem for Danny Garcia, but he will get tired in the later rounds.  Danny will take advantage of that and knock him out."

- Santa Cruz

"Danny Garcia will win with his consistency and power."

- Trout

Peter Quillin vs. Fernando Guerrero - Saturday, April 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING 

"I cannot give a prediction since I've never seen Fernando Guerrero fight.  However, Peter Quillin is the champion and has the advantage."

- Canelo

"Peter Quillin all the way.  He has the street in him and the heart.  That's the making of a great fighter."

- Garcia

"This is going to be a competitive fight.  I'm going with Peter Quillin to win by knockout because I feel he has the better punching power and will catch Guerrero with a punch he doesn't see coming."

- R. Guerrero

"Peter Quillin is a bigger puncher, but it will be a hard fight.  I think Quillin will pull it off though."

- Love

"That is a really tough fight.  I know a lot of people see it toward Peter Quillin, but I think he's going to have a hard time.  Guerrero takes everything and more and gives as much back.  It's going to be an even fight."

- Mares

"I think Peter Quillin has the advantage and can win in any way.  He's the better boxer and is the champion."

- Ponce de Leon

"I haven't seen much of Fernando Guerrero, but what I have seen from Peter Quillin, he's a really good, strong fighter.  I think he's going to win by decision, but I think he is going to take a few punches along the way."

- Santa Cruz

"Peter Quillin showed his heart and determination to win the belt.  I'm sure he will go above and beyond to keep it.  I am picking Kid Chocolate."

- Trout

Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero - Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV^®

"Robert Guerrero has a great opportunity to win.  He's hungry for glory and will try everything to get the victory.  I am picking Guerrero."

- Canelo

"Floyd Mayweather all the way.  Robert Guerrero is a good fighter.  He earned his shot, but Mayweather is the star."

- Garcia

 "You can never bet against Floyd Mayweather.  He's just overall one of the best fighters ever.  Gotta go with Mayweather."

- F. Guerrero

"Floyd Mayweather is too intelligent of a fighter."

- Love

"Floyd Mayweather is such a talented fighter and he backs it up.  He talks a lot, but he backs it up.  I know Robert Guerrero is hungry and determined, but wanting to win doesn't get you a win.  It's about what you can do inside the ring, and that's why Mayweather will win."

- Mares

"I think Robert Guerrero can win if he fights the same way he fought Andre Berto, pressing the action like Jose Luis Castillo did against Floyd Mayweather.  However, Mayweather is a great fighter and so difficult because his style, but I think Guerrero will win."

- Ponce de Leon

"I never count Floyd Mayweather out.  He's the best pound-for-pound fighter.  He's who every fighter looks up to.  I call it the Floyd Mayweather era of boxing.  Robert Guerrero wanted this for a long time.  He's a multi-division champion and he deserves it.  They both have something to prove.  I don't know who to pick here."

- Quillin

"That is going to be another hard fight.  I think Floyd Mayweather has more experience and he's smarter.  He knows what he has to do to win.  Guerrero is a good, smart fighter, but I think Mayweather is going to take it by decision."

- Santa Cruz

"I'm picking Floyd Mayweather, but this fight is not as easy as everyone thinks it'll be.  Robert Guerrero is hungry and has the ability to make it a tough fight."

- Trout

Daniel Ponce de Leon vs. Abner Mares - Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV^®

"I'm taking Daniel Ponce de Leon.  I don't really see Abner Mares pulling it off at 126 pounds.  That's a tough fight."

- Garcia

"Abner Mares just has the youth and the will.  When guys are winning, they want to keep at it."

- F. Guerrero

"Both Daniel Ponce de Leon and Abner Mares are great Mexican warriors.  Mares is going to come forward with pressure and Ponce de Leon will counter.  I'm picking Ponce de Leon to win by a close split decision."

- R. Guerrero

"Abner Mares has much better skills."

-  Love

"A lot of people don't give Abner Mares the credit he deserves.  Daniel Ponce de Leon has a rough, rugged style.  I see Mares putting on a great performance against a guy like Ponce de Leon who gives people trouble, and coming out with the win."

- Quillin

"That is going to be another hard fight.  They are both Mexican warriors.  It can go either way, but if it goes to decision, Abner Mares will win.  However, if Daniel Ponce de Leon catches him with a good punch, he will win by knockout."

- Santa Cruz

"Abner Mares takes this one.  His youth and toughness can outdo the super tough Daniel Ponce de Leon."

- Trout

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Alexander Munoz - Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV^®

"Leo Santa Cruz should win.  He's younger and full of talent."

- Canelo

"Leo Santa Cruz is a tough guy and he is on a hot streak.  I'm going with him."

- Garcia

"Leo Santa Cruz is going to grind out a tough hard fought victory with pressure and a nice body attack.  Santa Cruz wins by unanimous decision."

- R. Guerrero

"Leo Santa Cruz is a much busier and better fighter."

- Love

"That fight is hard to call.  I think Santa Cruz is a strong up-and-comer. I think Alexander Munoz is an tough opponent for Santa Cruz to go up against, but he will go in there, look good and come out with a win."

- Mares

"Leo Santa Cruz is the favorite to win because is young and powerful, and I think he will win."

- Ponce de Leon

"I love watching Leo Santa Cruz.  He's a fan-friendly fighter and I think he will win."

- Quillin

J'Leon Love vs. Gabriel Rosado - Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV

"Gabriel Rosado is a Philly guy, so I have to go for the hometown fighter."

- Garcia

"J'Leon Love is the man.  We've fought on the same card several times.  I fought Gabriel Rosado.  That is a pretty tight fight.  He's a tough opponent.  That one is a question mark for me."

- F. Guerrero

"J'Leon Love is a good prospect, but I think Gabriel Rosado is going to pull off the upset.  Experience will be the key factor in a Rosado split decision."

- R. Guerrero

"Flip a coin on that one."

- Mares

"This is J'Leon Love's biggest fight.  He's in camp with the pound-for-pound champion.  He has a controversial win on his record.  Gabriel Rosado is rough and rugged.  He puts it all on the line.  We'll see. I don't know who will win this one."

- Quillin

"I have heard that J'Leon Love is a really good fighter.  He should be able to take it.  He has more to lose.  I think he's going to go out there and win by decision."

- Santa Cruz

"This is a toss up.  J'Leon Love is looking to prove himself.  Gabriel Rosado is proven in my mind at 154, so we will see if weight is an issue."

- Trout

About Canelo vs. Trout:

Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for Canelo's WBC title, Trout's WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and will be a WBC lightweight semi-final elimination bout for the vacant NABA Lightweight Championship and Cotto's WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Championship. The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

 About Garcia vs. Judah:

Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia's Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T.  In the co-featured attraction, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin puts his title on the line against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight.  The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).

About "MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero":

"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.

SHO STREAM: CANELO vs. TROUT WEIGH-IN *SHOWTIME SPORTS TO STREAM CANELO vs. TROUT WEIGH-IN LIVE VIA SATELLITE, YOUTUBE, USTREAM & ONLINE AT SPORTS.SHO.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 19 AT 3 P.M. ET / NOON PT FROM SAN ANTONIO

SHO STREAM: CANELO vs. TROUT WEIGH-IN *SHOWTIME SPORTS TO STREAM CANELO vs. TROUT WEIGH-IN LIVE VIA SATELLITE, YOUTUBE, USTREAM

& ONLINE AT FRIDAY, APRIL 19 AT 3 P.M. ET / NOON PT FROM SAN ANTONIO

SHOWTIME® Sports will offer a live stream of Friday’s weigh-in for the Super Welterweight World Championship Unification between Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout taking place on Saturday, April 20, LIVE on SHOWTIME from Alamodome in San Antonio. 

Friday’s weigh-in will be available for live viewing across multiple platforms, including LIVE via satellite feed, YouTube, Ustream, sports.sho.com/live. All feeds of the weigh-in, hosted by SHOWTIME Sports Expert Analyst Steve Farhood, will be available in High Definition beginning at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT / Noon PT from Market Square in San Antonio, Texas. 

** Websites and blogs may carry the live stream using either the Ustream embed code at ustream.tv/shosports or the YouTube embed code at youtube.com/shosports.

Ustream




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SATELLITE COORDINATES:

FRIDAY, APRIL 19: LIVE from 3 – 4 p.m. ET (Noon – 1 p.m. PT) (1500-1600 ET): 60 Minutes Total

Satellite: Galaxy 19 / C-15

Location: 97 degrees west

Bandwidth: 36 MHz

Downlink Freq: 4000 V

Encoding: 4:2:0 HD Tandberg E5788

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ABOUT "CANELO VS. TROUT"

Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for Canelo's WBC title, Trout's WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico for the vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Championship which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions. The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 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, 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.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin "No Doubt" Trout & Undercard San Antonio Workout Quotes

 

Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for

Canelo's WBC title, Trout's WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and will be a WBC lightweight semi-final elimination bout for the vacant NABA Lightweight Championship and Cotto's WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Championship.  The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion 

"If  I want to win this fight, I have to move fast.  I have to watch out for Trout's left.  I've been studying his style and I can definitely adapt to it.  It's going to be tough, but I know I can beat him.  I trust I have what it takes to beat him.

"On Saturday, after defeating Trout, I will raise my hand and my belt and will be thinking of my brother.  That belt is his.

"I'm 100 percent ready for Trout.  He's a world-class boxer and an undefeated world champion.

"I'm thankful to the people of San Antonio.  They give me great motivation and they have an amazing energy.

"I'm very grateful and happy to be here.

"I'm maintaining weight.  I'm training hard.  I'm ready.

"I'm visualizing the fight.  I'm very focused and very determined.  Saturday is going to be my night.

"I'd like to thank my fans for their support.  I'm anxious to give them the show they want on Saturday.

"I'm excited to be part of all this.  I feel motivated that Oscar De La Hoya is part of all this.  It makes me happy to be part of his team.

"I'm the type of boxer that adapts well to other styles.

"When I step into the ring, the best of me comes out.

"I'm ready for Trout.  I'm ready to not let my fans down.  I'm ready to win."

AUSTIN "NO DOUBT" TROUT, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion

"We just want to up the intensity from the Miguel Cotto fight.  Even though they're not the same fighter, they have similar styles.  We want to up the intensity because Canelo is a bit more intense of a fighter than Miguel Cotto. 

"He's an all-around fighter and he doesn't have many faults, but he's not as strong in some areas as others and we're going to exploit that.  We're preparing for the total package.

"Canelo's a world champion so he has to have what it takes.  They wouldn't have given him the belt otherwise.

"I'm ecstatic to be the focal point of over 38,000 people.  It's wonderful.  I really just can't wait to be in that atmosphere.

"If Canelo's not ready now, he's never going to be.  I'm excited to get in there and I'm glad he put his foot down to make this fight happen.

(On the public turnout at Wednesday's workout) "It's love.  I appreciate all the love.  They're the reason that boxing is going to thrive for ages.  It's one of the oldest sports and it's not dying anytime soon.  This is evidence of it right here.

"Anything is possible.  We've done things that people said couldn't be done.  I believe God does miracles everyday.  I'm not saying it's going to beat the man, but it can be done.  Impossible is a mind state and I don't have that type of mind state.

"My focus is to just be in shape.  We know he's going to bring it, so we want to make sure we can up the intensity when we need to.

"I don't think it's going to be difficult at all fighting in front of these fans.  It's the opponent that's going to make it difficult.  The crowd isn't going to make it harder or easier.  Canelo is going to make it harder.  So the crowd is not going to stray me or bother me one bit.

"My hometown is really divided being that it's a mostly Latin area, but we have a lot of support coming from Las Cruces.  Mexican blood is thick and it's hard to divide that.  They're the best fans to have.  If I could have them adopt me as their own champion, I'd be ecstatic because they're loyal and they fight for their guys.  My whole goal is to just take that love and push it onto me.

"Canelo is a champion and he wants to please his fans.  If his fans didn't say that he needed to fight me to prove that he's the true champion, then I don't think he would have done it.

"My strategy is to win by any means possible.  Whether it is brawling, boxing, moving, sticking there, staying there, whatever I need to do.  We're going to win.

"I want to be a legend in this game.  I don't want to be a one-hit wonder.

"I've been the underdog a lot.  What they think doesn't bother me.  I think 'underdog' is a mind state.  I'm here to win.  I'm here to win decisively.  What the odds say, what the people say, is not really going to affect what happens in the ring.

"I've prepared for it and the way I'm feeling right now in my heart and in my mind, that's what is going to affect the fight.

"The formula is the same (as against Miguel Cotto), but we know they're not the same fighter.  Canelo is in his prime, he's undefeated and he's not battle worn.  He's still got a lot of pop and life left in him.  Although the formula is the same, we have to up the intensity and we're not treating him as the same fighter.

"I fought his style of fighter my whole life being from Las Cruces, New Mexico, and fighting around the area.  I'm not sure if he's fought my style, though and we'll see the difference come Saturday."

ABNER COTTO, WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Champion

"First, I want to thank the public of San Antonio for being here.  Then, I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for giving me this opportunity.  I'm so proud that I'm fighting at the Alamodome in front of over 30,000 people.  It's a true honor.

"It's truly an honor to fight on the same card as Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout.  They're both great boxers.  It's not going to be easy for Canelo.  Trout is a tough fighter.  After all, he beat my cousin [future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto].  To be honest, I don't know who's going to win.  I'm not going to make a prediction.

"When I have to fight, I'm always ready to fight at my best.

"I'll be representing my people from Puerto Rico on Saturday at the Alamodome and I won't let them down."

OMAR FIGUEROA JR.,

Undefeated Lightweight Contender

"I'm excited for the fight.  This is what I've been waiting for.  It's a good match-up featuring two undefeated fighters.  Neither of us has a blemish in our record.

"The main event is a super-mega fight, but I am going to do my best to give the fans their money's worth.

"Right now we are just focusing on the last couple of pounds.  The hard work is already done.  We left all of that in the gym.  We are waiting for the weigh-in and then the fight.

"I've been told that I'm going to have a lot of fans there.  I'm not too far from home and I think that's amazing.  Fans get to come support their hometown guy and also get to see a great main event.

"I'm excited to fight in front of such a big crowd.  I'm going with the flow and enjoying the experience."

JERMELL CHARLO, Top Super Welterweight Prospect

"I'm so happy to come back to San Antonio.  I really enjoy the boxing fans here.  They're so nice and excited about boxing in this city.

"I feel good.  I've been training hard.  I'm focused and I'm ready.

"This is my shot...my first real shot.  This is my chance to show not only San Antonio, but also the boxing world, what I'm made of and what I can do."

RAUL MARTINEZ, Top Bantamweight Prospect

"I'll be in my prime in a couple years.  I'm training very hard.  This fight means a lot to me.  It's my chance to move forward.

"I've had tough times, but boxing is a tough sport.

"I don't have a promoter right now, but I have a great trainer, Jesse James Leija.  He's truly an inspiration to me.

"It's an honor to be here working out at The Alamo.  I've been to workouts before, but none like this one.  This is awesome.  Being in front of my people is an amazing feeling.

"To me, if you go by what you believe and you put a lot of effort and pride into it, you will get something out of it.

"I look up to Jesse [James Leija].  He gives me energy and he motivates me.  When we're training, I want to show him what I have and what I'm made of.  He makes me want to punch harder."

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions

"This fight will truly show the world what Canelo is made of.  This is the opportunity he has needed to prove himself.

"I can't wait to be in that arena on Saturday night.  With almost 40,000 people in the Alamodome, it's going to be rocking 

"It's just amazing the draw that Canelo is.  At 22 years old, his following is unlike anything I have seen in a long time.

"This is going to be a tough, tough fight.  Canelo has his work cut out for him.  Trout showed what he is made of when he fought Cotto and he is going to have to bring that intensity and more on Saturday night."

JESSE JAMES LEIJA, President of Leija Battah Promotions and Texas Boxing Legend

"We brought the big fight here and San Antonio responded.

"Not only was I proud to fight here every time I stepped into the ring to fight, I am proud as a promoter to bring big fights here now.

"This is such a tough fight.  I can't pick a winner.

"If the energy in the arena is anything like it was 20 years ago when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker, you will be able to feel the electricity through your body."

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