Friday, November 29, 2013

ZAB JUDAH AND PAULIE MALIGNAGGI MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT‏

Marylyn Aceves

Thanks everyone for joining us today. We have Zab Judah and Paulie Maliganggi available to talk to you and answer your questions about the fight

Richard Schaefer

Thank you, Marylyn. I'm really excited, I've been talking with Paulie and Zab Judah, I know its freezing cold in New York but those guys are going to heat up the Barclays Center. It's been a terrific year for SHOWTIME. It has been the best year in boxing history for SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME is not ending the year with one bang but two bangs. The first one will be Dec. 7 here with Judah and Malignaggi. It's a battle of Brooklyn; it's for the pride of Brooklyn.

We also have some of the best talent in those respective weight classes that are going to be showcasing what they are all about in meaningful fights. Truly a big thank you to SHOWTIME for stepping up and delivering this fight card to fans in the U.S. and around the world.

It's been the biggest year in their short boxing history for Barclays Center. It was no other than Paulie Malignaggi who opened up the building last October and every one of those events since we've seen more and more people embracing the sport and showing up at Barclays Center. Every show we're going from one record crowd to the next and that's exactly what I expect for this big night on Dec. 7 - a new record crowd for Barclays Center.

Pricing tickets that everyone can afford has become a hallmark for Golden Boy Promotions. Tickets are an unbelievable deal. We want a record crowd event at Barclays Center. It's really an unbelievable deal to see this great card.

I want to thank our sponsors as well - Corona, AT&T, Casamigos Tequila and the Grudge Match, a movie which will be coming out in December.

I now want to introduce to you Zab Judah. He's one of the best known names in the sport of boxing. He's always exciting and that's exactly what this sport wants and needs. He knows what's at stake here. It's not just the pride of Brooklyn, but the 147-pound weight class is the deepest weight class, the biggest names are fighting there and that's exactly what Zab Judah wants. He knows he needs to beat Paulie Malignaggi to move on to those big world title fights in the division.

Zab Judah

Thank you, Richard, I appreciate it. Training camp has been fun. We had a great training camp here in Las Vegas and a lot of good public relations and I'm just excited to come back home and be crowned the king of BK.

Richard Schaefer

Paulie is one of the most skilled fighters, always comes to win. He has a tremendous personality outside the ring. I think whatever he does he always strives to be on top and I think there's no question Paulie is the best color commentator in the sport. But it doesn't stop there - Paulie still has unfinished business in the ring and he realizes what a win against Zab is going to do to him in that stacked weight class. So he's going to come to win.

Paulie Malignaggi

It's a pleasure being on with everyone once again. I really look forward to mixing it up with Zab and hopefully we get a record crowd for Brooklyn at Barclays Center. I know he's got a lot of support in Brooklyn and I know I have a lot of support in Brooklyn. We have a great supporting cast on the undercard and I think this card has the potential to be the best card that Barclays Center has put on yet, and we've had some great cards there. Hopefully, like Richard said, we get a good crowd. I would like it to be a sell-out card. I think it is going to be the most spectacular card that has been at Barclays yet. I look forward to mixing it with him and seeing who really is the king of Brooklyn for this generation and I've prepared very well for that.

Q: Dan Rafael ESPN- Hello guys- good to talk to you today. I'd like you both to answer. You guys are both from Brooklyn in the same weight class. When did you start to think this fight would happen?

Zab Judah

For me this fight came about after the Garcia fight. In my preparation for moving forward to do what I do they said Paulie and I said "Paulie, nah, Paulie is my homeboy." But I was like, 'Hey, you know this is an opportunity that you've got to take for boxing.' So I guess we're here now. Like I said, this is a fight where there's no animosity or anything like that. It's just us going in there and representing for our city.

Paulie Malignaggi

I'd like to echo the same sentiments as Zab. For a lot of years I came up behind Zab and he kind of laid the building blocks for my generation. He was kind of the guy to look up to and to try to match his accomplishments. It really didn't come to mind, we were in different weight classes and at different places in our career, but people started mentioning it and talking around Brooklyn the past year or two. But I still didn't think the fight had any chance of happening because we were still in different weight classes and kind of had different goals for our careers. We each took a competitive loss in our last fight and it's kind of a situation where you have to take a step back in way from world title fights. But this isn't such a step back because we're still world-class even with no world title on the line.

It made a lot of sense from that perspective and also for us both being from Brooklyn. Until the fight was made I didn't think it would be more than Brooklyn talk and that's all. I think in the last couple of years people started getting in my ear that people in Brooklyn wanted to see what would happen if me and Zab Judah got in the ring together.

Q -Dan Rafael - I kind of thought this fight would get made a while ago. With the combination of Golden Boy working with the Barclays Center and Zab signing with Golden Boy it seemed like this fight was going to happen.

Paulie Malignaggi

Zab just got signed after the Garcia fight and this was all a recent thing. Once Zab got signed that's when the fight got brought up. Up until recently I didn't think it would happen, but then when he got signed it started to come to fruition.

Q- Dan Rafael - You both seem to have a chip on your shoulder in past fights. Is it a little bit more difficult to get motivated for this fight because you guys have a lot of respect and a good relationship outside of the ring?

Zab Judah

My motivation comes from the opportunity. The opportunity of still being here 18 years strong, to be competitive against young fighters like Paulie Malignaggi and Danny Garcia, and to still be competing at a high level of boxing. I mean, to be crowned the kings of BK, that's a very big accomplishment coming from Brooklyn. There's one thing a lot of people will tell you - there's a pride about being from Brooklyn. Now we've got the opportunity in a sport that I've been in for the last 18 years of my life to be called the king of it. I'm excited for this one and that's where the motivation comes from on my part.

Paulie Malignaggi

The competition drives us all. That's the reason we do this and get up in the morning and train hard for each fight. You need different things to drive you. The competition always is the driving force. The competitor in me is driven by winning. Winning means everything to me. Yeah, Zab is someone I respect and looked up to coming up, but winning means everything to me. I'm a competitor in anything I do, especially boxing. It's not hard to get up for a fight like this. You can still respect your opponent and still get up for a fight. Come on man, we're both wearing eight ounce gloves so I'm sure once someone gets hit we'll both be throwing arms at each other.

Q- I know you both want to win really bad. How hard would it be to lose this fight in your hometown?

Paulie Malignaggi

I think it's more for the fans. It's hard to go back to your fans and say, 'Oh man you're not the best fighter in your borough.' I think the motivation is from there. You fight guys from other cities and you rep your neighborhood, you rep your city real well. I get announced as from Brooklyn, N.Y., regardless of where I've lived in my career because it's a sense of pride. Here, the other guy is announced from Brooklyn, N.Y., and it's a sense of inner-pride within the city. You have to run into the other guy's fans. I don't run into Adrien Broner fans in New York or other people's fans in New York. But I can run into Zab's fans and that is a mini-motivator itself.

Zab Judah

Like Paulie said, the job is the motivation for what we're doing right now. I'm motivated by the opportunity. I'm motivated by the situation. Paulie is somebody that I've known for a long time. I've watched him, I've watched him grow and there have even been a lot of fights where I've supported him. So now, it's kind of crazy to be going up against each other but it's the sport that we chose and, like he said, once the bell rings and the leather starts flying I think that anybody would come to their senses.

Paulie Malignaggi

It's a really emotional fight. You want to be king of Brooklyn. It's the kind of fight you get up for because there are a lot big fights in your career but there is a lot of extra emotion being able to represent your borough and being able to be the king of Brooklyn. I know I have what it takes to be a world class fighter; I know what it takes to get back to the top. Winning a fight like this and getting myself a chance to get another world championship in my career is something I don't doubt

Q- Lem Satterfield- Zab- Paulie told me about a time when you coached him as an amateur. He said he lost the fight but he's always looked up to you. Do you remember that and do you remember what you thought of him as a fighter back then?

Zab Judah

I thought he won that fight, from my recollection. Even back then as an amateur he had a heart, he was gutsy. He came out, he was very scrappy. I recall that, yeah, we kind of pulled out a lot of champions that year. So yeah, I think that Paulie did win the fight that year.

Paulie Malignaggi

I didn't win that fight but I lost to a big rival of mine. But we won the team trophy. Zab was the team coach and we won the team trophy at the Empire State Games.

Q- Lem- Obviously you guys fought at the highest level both at 140 pounds and 147 pounds. At what point do you think you were at the absolute best in your career?

Zab Judah

I would probably say my Mickey Ward fight. I was 15-0 and I was highly motivated. That was one training camp I remember Ronnie Shields and my dad - we had a tough training camp. I was only 15-0, I remember taking on Mickey Ward and he had like 34 or something fights. He was known as a killer at that time, he was stopping guys with body shots. Everyone was like, 'Zab that's not a fight you should take, it's going to mess your career up.' And we went in there and we trained very hard, we had a dog camp and went in there and won the fight.

The first half of the Mayweather fight I was super sharp. It's different times. Even in my last Danny Garcia fight I came on very strong at the end. I don't look at one particular fight and say this was the best fight because every night is special to me. Every time you step in the ring you've got different things that happen, you've got to weather through them.

Paulie Malignaggi

I'd say there have been a couple different times in my career when I was at an elite level or getting there. There was a moment in 2003 and 2004 where I thought I was really coming into my own, starting to win fights and starting to look impressive. I was getting to fight high level contenders and then I had a real bad hand injury. My hand was shattered and it set me back a lot and hindered a lot of my progress. I always wonder how I would have kept progressing if I didn't have those injuries. You have a lot of youthful enthusiasm at that point in your career. I can pick nights where I've been sharper than others but I can't pick one night where I've been my best.

Q- How do you capture that moment or those moments in this particular fight? Do you feel that you're motivated given that you're fighting in your home town?

Zab Judah

I'm highly motivated and I'm ready to come in there and do what I do. Like Paulie said, I'm a very competitive person. As everybody can see throughout my career, I hate losing. Some of my early losses I kind of went crazy. I've learned to control myself over the years but losing is something that's not in my arsenal right now and it's something that we're not looking forward to doing and we looking at progress and moving forward. This is why we teamed up with Golden Boy and Super Judah Promotions with Golden Boy. We're ready to take on the world. I think Golden Boy and SHOWTIME are the two biggest- you've got the biggest promoter and you've got the biggest network out there and this is a place where Zab Judah needs to be. Zab Judah is pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world, hands down, and I am going to show the world that I am the best. Give me the opportunity and I'll show you.

Paulie Malignaggi

I think the motivation has to always be there. I think if you try too hard to summon it you fight yourself out. I look at the hard work and dedication I've put into my career and I try to put my best game face on fight night. If you think about trying to match your best performances you probably won't because you'll be thinking about the wrong things. The focus has to be to concentrate and focus on the person in front of you. You have to focus one round at a time, one minute at a time. And from there you put on some good performances without evening knowing it. I don't think the goal is to put on a good performance, I think the goal is to execute a game plan when you go in there. Sometimes it comes out beautifully, sometimes it doesn't. But you can't go in there trying to put on a good show, you go in there trying to execute. That's what I go in there trying to do.

Richard

First of all I want to say that both of those guys are rejuvenated because of all of the opportunities at 147 pounds. For both of them, one of their best fights is actually their last fight. When Paulie fought Broner he fought a great, great fight and I think he surprised a lot of people. Most people had it as an easy fight for Broner and look what he did. And that's not because of what Broner didn't do; it's because of what Paulie did. I think he's right there at the top and he knows what this win can lead to and how important this fight is. The same goes for Zab fighting Danny Garcia- most people thought it would be a one-sided affair. And look what Zab did, he turned back the clock. That's as good of a Zab as I've seen. When Zab wants something he goes for it and I know he wants this. Their biggest fights, their best fights were actually their last fights and that's why this is such a meaningful showdown.

Q- Mike Woods- This question is for Paulie- You've made no secret that in the last couple years you've thought about if you want to do this anymore. What are your thoughts now?

Paulie Malignaggi

You don't give yourself a definitive answer when it comes to something so serious. If I accept the fight then I accept the fight and go in and train 100 percent. Sometimes between fights I'll be thinking, 'I don't know if I'm up to train for a fight again.' But once mentally and physically I decide to fight I kind of erase the negativity. Its full speed ahead, you step on the gas and you go. Don't get me wrong, in the beginning of camp when you're trying to get back into shape you're like, 'Man, why did I do this?' But once that competitive juice comes back and you start getting in shape, you start feeling sharp, you start feeling good and you realize why you do this. You realize the things that spur you on, that motivate you, that drive you to do this. The adrenaline rush, the excitement as a fight approaches and all of a sudden you're not thinking about those negative things anymore and you're thinking about all the positive things and all the fun this brings. Don't get me wrong, it's hard fight fighting at this level. But, at the same time, it's a situation where I'd rather be here than anywhere else.

Q - Does it make it more difficult because you've become such a highly regarded commentator? Because you always have something to fall back on?

Paulie Malignaggi

No, not the training, the training I work hard. Anything I do, I do it wholeheartedly. But sometimes before camp starts you wonder, 'Do I really feel like getting up and starting another training camp?' But once I'm in training camp, I do the miles and I put the hours in the gym wholeheartedly. There's never a time where I say I don't want to train today because I could fall back on something. I'm not the kind of person that does something half-assed. If I know I won't do it wholeheartedly I won't do it. When I accepted this fight I knew what that came with.

Q- Zab - do you ever stay awake at night and say, 'Man I'm 36 old this really could be my last fight?'

Zab

No, as far as the age, my age is great. I'm highly motivated. You've got one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Floyd Mayweather, he's older than me. You've got Juan Manuel Marquez, he just knocked out Manny Pacquiao with one punch, he's older than me. You've got Bernard Hopkins, one of the baddest fighters of today's era, he's my grandfather. So when you say old, what do you mean by old? Old by what, longevity? I've been in the game since I was 18 years old and I've been world champion multiple times in different weight classes. Is that what you mean by old? I mean as far as age goes, I'm far from old. I mean, some of the best of the best of the world today are way older than me and I'm just highly motivated the opportunity. I want to thank Richard Schaefer and the whole Golden Boy staff and team for just even allowing themselves to do business with my camp and myself and I think we're going to have a phenomenal time. I think that when people say your last time or your last fight is your best fight, this is nowhere near my last fight. This is the beginning of a turn of a new leaf. I am going to go in there and come out of this fight successfully.

Yeah Paulie and I have a great respect for each other, but at the end of the day there can only be one winner and I am going to take that route. I'm going to take that medal of achievement and I'm going to step up and do what I've got to do. Is there any beef or anything? No, there's no beef. But we're both two competitive athletes and Paulie's supposed to say his skills are better than mine and I'm supposed to say that my skills are better than Paulie's. That's what's going to make Dec. 7^th a fantastic night of boxing. That's why all of Brooklyn and New York City and the tri-state area and New Jersey and Connecticut need to come out and watch a great night of boxing. You are going to watch two of the best guys to come out of the tri-state area put on for you guys. So be there.

Q- What do you admire most about each other?

Zab Judah

Number one, I admire Paulie because he's from Brooklyn. He stands up with that Brooklyn pride. He represent Brooklyn wherever he goes, he talks about it and keeps it fresh in people's ears and eyes. Number two, he's a fighter. I respect that every fighter has the heart and audacity to climb into the ring and take on competitive fights, so you've got to respect him as a human being. Yes, I do.

Paulie Malignaggi

The admiration I have for Zab came from trying to follow in his footsteps coming up. I saw him accomplish things that I had the goal to accomplish. I watched Zab accomplish each and every one of them before me. It was an admiration and a motivator to see someone my city, from my borough accomplish these things and get some credibility and notoriety doing the same thing that I do. When somebody does it so close to home they automatically get that admiration when they're older than you and you see them accomplishing those things and you kind of want to follow in their footsteps. That admiration comes from being that younger fighter looking up to someone like that.

Q - Gina Caruso - What's your comfort level now coming back into the ring with someone you know and respect so much.

Zab Judah

I don't know, it's the situation. It's nothing personal against Paulie. It's something that we've got to go in here and do. This is how we feed our family. This is the game that we chose. My greatest motivation in this situation is I just fought a 25-year-old undefeated young fighter, one of the best young 140-pound fighters today and I hung in there. Everybody said if there were 30 more seconds the fight would be different. So that's where my inspiration and motivation comes from. Just being able to still go toe-to-toe with the young boys like this and just show that when I do step up and when I do focus my mind and focus on getting these guys I just go in there and get them. With that kind of motivation I am the best pound for pound fighter in the world.

Paulie Malignaggi

I think with me, the approach I always take is in boxing you have to have a short memory. No matter how much you've accomplished or how low you can go as far as downfalls, you have to forget about them and you have to move on no matter what. I put whatever happened behind me, the Broner fight is done. The opponent now is Zab Judah. As Zab said, there's nothing personal as far as a competitive aspect is concerned, but that's the guy in front of me and that's the guy I intend to be successful against in two weeks. The game plan is focused on that and nothing else. In reality you can only look forward. The past can't be changed, only the future can be changed.

ABOUT "JUDAH VS. MALIGNAGGI":

Judah vs. Malignaggi is a 12-round fight for the NABF and NABO Welterweight titles taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Super Judah Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T, Grudge Match and Casamigos Tequila. In the co-featured bout, Devon Alexander puts his IBF welterweight title on the line in a 12-round bout against Shawn Porter, Erislandy Lara defends his interim WBA Super Welterweight title in a 12-round fight against Austin Trout and Sakio Bika defends his WBC Super Middleweight title against Anthony Dirrell in a 12-round bout. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT immediately following ALL ACCESS: Broner vs. Maidana which begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. PT. The telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

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♔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 Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving World!

Help someone without. Let's always be thankful not just today but always.Stay blissed.

♔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 Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

All Access: Broner vs. Maidana - Trailer

''''''''''All Access: Broner vs. Maidana brings you behind the scenes as these two superstars prepare to battle for the WBA Welterweight World Championship. Don't miss the premiere Saturday December 7 at 7:30PM ET/PT on Showtime.

♔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 Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Official Weights Are In For Tarver vs. Sheppard Golden Boy Live! Card‏

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Official-Weights-Are-In-For-Tarver-vs--Sheppard-Golden-Boy-Live--Card.html?soid=1102055440350&aid=iDC5cc3dzRs

♔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 Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Monday, November 25, 2013

MOSLEY Vs MUNDINE ( IT'S BACK ON)

The most hyped fight of the year is back on & we'll have every hit LIVE on our big screen!

After a much publicised walkout by Shane Mosley over a pay dispute, the fight of the year has been rescheduled with a new promoter and a truckload of cash to ensure that this fight will go down as one of the greatest events in Australian boxing history.

Mundine's put everything on the line and has promised to retire if he loses to an ageing Mosley

WILL THIS BE MUNDINE'S LAST FIGHT EVER?

WILL MOSLEY ONCE AGAIN PROVE THAT HE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST FIGHTERS OF ALL TIME!

FIND OUT LIVE AT THE BEACHFRONT HOTEL!

UNDERCARD STARTS FROM 6PM

Anthony Mundine and Sugar Shane Mosley held their final pre fight press conference on Monday 25th November at the AllPhones Arena in Olympic Park Sydney.

Judah vs. Malignaggi: Battle in Brooklyn

On Monday Dec. 2nd come out to 494 Dean Street to meet Brooklyn's own Paul Malignaggi and Zab Judah. Show your support for #teamjudah or #teammalignaggi by bringing a non perishable food item and receive an autograph photo. Who will win this battle at the donation scales?"

Zab Judah and Paulie Malignaggi battle for Brooklyn bragging rights Saturday, December 7 at 8PM ET/PT, Live on Showtime.

Judah vs. Malignaggi: Battle in Brooklyn

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Danger Zone Undercard Conference Call Notes

As 2013 comes to a close, Los Angeles based promotional giants Golden Boy will see fit that the year ends with anything but a whimper. Although their September card which featured Floyd Mayweather and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez broke numerous financial records and carried an almost fever pitch of anticipation, the bout itself was more bang snaps than fireworks. Nevertheless, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the southern California company will showcase two back to back weekend fight cards which could easily rank among the year’s best.

In particular, the evening which has been labeled "Danger Zone" is sure to please not only those in attendance at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, but also the viewers at home who will be able to enjoy the fights on a non pay per view Showtime telecast on December 14 (8PM ET / 5PM PT). The evening’s main event will feature the brash, slick and undefeated Cincinnati fighter Adrien "The Problem" Broner (27-0, 22 KO’s) versus the hard charging slugger from Argentina, Marcos "El Chino" Maidana (34-3, 31 KO’s) in a scheduled twelve round bout for Broner’s WBA welterweight title.

Additionally, the night’s undercard is heavily stacked and sure to please. In the co-main event, Keith "One Time" Thurman (21-0, 19 KO’s, Clearwater, Florida) will place his interim WBA World welterweight title on the line in a twelve round contest with Jesus Soto Karass (28-8-3, 18 KO’s, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, MX). This past July at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Thurman and Soto Karass fought in separate bouts and each scored knockout victories. Thurman knocked out Diego Chavez in ten rounds, while Soto Karass gained a shocking twelfth round knockout win over Andre Berto.

Another match of note is the one scheduled between newly crowned WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (25-0-1, 15 KO’s, Rosemead, California) and Cesar Seda (25-1, 17 KO’s, Puerto Rico). The aforementioned participants in the night’s undercard took part in an international media conference call this afternoon alongside Richard Schaefer (CEO of Golden Boy Promotions).

Selected highlights are listed below.

Richard Schaefer: "This is the best card we’ve ever put together. It’s not just about Broner and Maidana, which I believe is a pay per view event. The undercard we’ve put together is amazing. It will be live on Showtime and will be available for free. We’ve set the Alamodome up for 30,000 people and 10,000 tickets have already been sold. The least expensive ticket is only ten dollars. Even the non televised portion, which features Rau’Shee Warren, Jamel Herring, Ricardo Alvarez (Canelo’s brother) and Jermain Taylor as well, is just fantastic."

Opening Statements, Jesus Soto Karass: "We’re ready for a war on December 14 and we’ve been preparing for one."

Opening Statements, Keith "One Time" Thurman: "We’re getting in shape and I’m looking forward to December 14."

Thurman on Soto Karass’s upset win over Andre Berto: "I watched the main event. I saw his fire and passion. He had a warrior mentality and he wouldn’t back down. I’m expecting the same fighter when I face him. I didn’t know which way his fight was going to go. As soon as he dropped Berto and the fight was over, then I knew a bout between us could be a possibility."

On Getting a Big Time bout: "This fight right here will be the icing on the cake. After this bout, no one will be able to say that Keith "One Time" Thurman hasn’t been tested. After this, hopefully the door will be open for a big world title fight."

Soto Karass on Thurman’s KO of Diego Chavez: "I didn’t see that much and I don’t like watching videos. He fought on the undercard of my fight with Andre Berto and it wasn’t until it was all over that I was told about the chance to fight Thurman. I’m getting ready like never before, just as always. I know he’s a young, strong fighter. I need to win this fight and take the title back to Los Mochis."

Thurman on his 90% Knockout Ratio: "I can box and I can punch. Sometimes, I’ll have a game plan on whether I’d like to fight on the inside or outside. My name is "One Time" and I’m always looking for that one shot early on. I like going home early. I’m prepared to give my best on the (December) 14th."

Soto Karass on Fighting Toe to Toe: "I’ve been characterized as a fighter that likes to do that. Lately, I’ve been doing more boxing, but of course as always I can go toe to toe if I have to. There’s always some skill and a game plan involved."

Keith on his love for Boxing: "This job brings the best out of me and I’m my own boss. Each day in the gym I am developing as a fighter just as every day I’m developing as a man. It brings success inside and outside the ring."

On the history of the Sport: "I actually was not much of a boxing fan as I grew up. It was not until I did my own research that I fell in love with so many of the old school fighters. All you had to do in those days was to walk up to a fighter and say, "Hey, I’m going to knock you out" and he would say, "Okay. Where do we sign?"

Schaefer on Future Matchups: "Imagine the winner of this fight against the winner of Broner vs. Maidana? These are the types of fights that I as a fight fan just love to see."

Opening Statements, Cesar Seda: "Good afternoon to everyone. Thank you to Oscar de la Hoya and Richard (Schaefer) for this opportunity. Thanks as well to Leo Santa Cruz. I’m ready to show that Puerto Rico is still full of boxing talent."

Opening Statements, WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz: "Thanks to my manager Al Haymon, Richard (Schaefer) and Oscar (De La Hoya). I’m ready for December 14. I want it to come so I can so everyone how motivated I am."

Richard Schaefer on staging fights around the USA: "We started in San Antonio with club shows. It’s been a slow process with Leija-Battah promotions. The goal has been to bring world championship fights there. We’ve done the same thing as of late in Brooklyn, New York. The key is to capture those markets which share the same passion for the sport and those who are willing to invest in the sport as well. It’s just a matter of finding the right promoters and fighters who’d like to work with us."

Cesar Seda on moving up in weight (115 to 122): "I moved up just like Leo did. I’ve kept my eye on him and the truth is that I feel much stronger at 122 pounds. In terms for punches, I’ve never fought anyone who throws as many as Leo. I want to prove that I’m ready."

On Displaying Talent for Puerto Rico: "It motivates me and gives me hunger. Right now in Puerto Rico, there aren’t too many champions, but I will prove how good we are."

Leo Santa Cruz on moving up in weight: "I feel much better at 122 (pounds). The weight is better for me. I feel great in sparring and in the gym."

Cesar Seda on Pressure to fight for Puerto Rico: "No pressure at all. We’ve been working hard on my conditioning and strength in the gym to make sure there’s no pressure."

Santa Cruz on Expectations: "I try to improve everyday in the gym. I give one hundred percent. I dedicate myself every day. I like to give the fans a great show and I never want to disappoint them."

On Facing a Southpaw: "They’re more difficult. The last southpaw I fought was Vusi Malinga (June 2012). I can get used to their style. I’ll be ready and prepared for it."

Richard Schaefer on future dates in San Antonio: "It’s always been a great market for boxing. With Mike (Battah) and James (Leija), we’ve taken this to another level. I’m not listing in order, but there’s the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Staples Center in Los Angeles and then there’s the market in San Antonio. We’re holding a number of dates for next year there. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez felt very welcome there and wants to fight there again. You don’t hear much about Dallas any more since they hosted a Manny Pacquiao fight there a few years ago. You cannot build a market with just a "one off" event. You need to bring a mix of smaller and bigger fights."

On The Hispanic Market: "It’s extremely important to the overall health of boxing. We’ve used a research company to ask about the demographics of boxing fans. The Hispanic as well as African American markets are so important. We are seeing more and more that the market in general is getting behind boxing. The ratings we’ve received so far for our Fox Sports 1 telecasts have been unbelievable. If you can bring events to the stadiums as well as arenas in a particular city, then you can only elevate the sport."

On Local talent: "There is great talent there. These young kids see that boxing is coming on a regular basis to their town and it encourages them to train even harder. It’s encouraging and it helps the sport grow from the roots up. I think it’s a dream for many fighters to become professional and one day fight in their hometown. Mike Battah is just an amazing guy who has a true passion for the sport."

On Lowering Ticket prices: "You always should want to create an environment where a family can go and enjoy the event. I think that pricing is important and we want to make a point here. The larger venues give us more options on ticket prices and inventory."

Seda on winning a decision in San Antonio: "Yes and we’ve prepared for that. I understand that the place will be pro-Santa Cruz, but we can find ways around that."

Leo on Seda’s fighting style: "I know that he’s a very good fighter. He has the quality to be a champion. He can punch and he can box. He can do a lot."

Cesar on Santa Cruz’s style: "I have the tools and the ability to beat a fighter like him."

Monday, November 18, 2013

Prince And Marston Set For WBU Title Double Header In London On Nov 30th‏

Prince And Marston Set For WBU Title Double Header In London On Nov 30th

On Saturday, 30^th November 2013, a WBU Europe Championship double header will top the bill, on the Dave Murphy Acourtier Events promoted WARZONE event, which takes place at York Hall, in Bethnal Green, London.

Main bout of the night will see former WBO and IBF Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight Champion Mark Prince, against a yet to be named opponent, for the vacant WBU Europe Cruiserweight crown, whilst the co-headliner sees the inaugural WBU Europe Women’s Super Bantamweight title, being competed for by London’s Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston against Bulgarian #1 ranked Galina Gumliiska.

Prince, who has a formidable record of 20 wins (16 KOs) and just the single loss, against long time WBO World Champion Dariusz Michalczewski, will be making his first challenge for Championship honors, since returning to the ring earlier this year following a fourteen year sabbatical.

Whilst an opponent has yet been announced for Prince, promoter Dave Murphy has gone on record stating that he is looking for a top fifty ranked opponent for Prince, as he intends to move the North Londoner into World title contention as quickly as possible.

This seemingly brash statement should come as no surprise, as Prince has competed at the highest level previously and judging by his sensational fourth round stoppage win, over Czech Republic’s Jindrich Velecky on October 4^th, anything less would not present a challenge for the former World title challenger.

Speaking earlier, at the famous TRAD TKO Gym in London - where he was to watch co-headliner Marianne Marston sparring former British and European Bantamweight Champion Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa - an elated Prince could barely contain the excitement, of being back on the Championship trail.

“I’m really excited to be fighting for the WBU Europe Cruiserweight title, really excited.

I suppose it’s a bit surprising for people, because I’ve had just the one fight, coming back after fourteen years out and I’m fighting for a title already, but I’m more than capable to do such things, because the level of fighter I am.

I’m very different from most fighters, a lot of fighters couldn’t come back and demonstrate the power and skills that I have.

I’ve taken a year to prepare to get to this point, I’m really looking forward to doing this.”

The Co-headline bout is the aforementioned Marianne Marston versus Galina Gumliiska.

Marston, the protégé of the late, great Heavyweight Champion of the World, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, has only competed twice in the pro ranks, both times stopping her opponent in the first round.

Whilst Marston may have just fought just twice, her opponent, Galina Gumliiska, has a wealth of experience and has fought twice for the World title, as well as six further European, International and Inter-Continental Championship fights.

Whilst Gumliiska wasn’t available to talk about the upcoming fight, Marston was and she took a little time off after her previously mentioned sparring session, to talk about the upcoming fight.

“I’m really honored to be fighting for the WBU Europe title.

However, to me this fight isn’t about the title, it’s about me being a boxer, winning the title will be the cherry on top.

I am so pleased to be fighting Galina, she has been in with the best in the business and is one seriously tough cookie.

No disrespect to Gabriella (Roman) or Katalena (Lazar), they both stepped in at short notice for our fights, after injuries and pullouts by my original opponents, but I want to fight tough credible opponents.

I came into the sport late, even later than planned thanks to the prejudice and politics of the BBBofC, but I’m here now and intend to make up for lost time.

I’m really looking forward to the fight, I know it will be a tough fight, but I intend to be at the very top of my game, hopefully that means at the end of the night it will be me that gets the WBU Europe belt around my waist.”

Mark Prince, against a yet to be named opponent, for the WBU Europe Cruiserweight title and Marianne Marston versus Galina Gumliiska, for the WBU Europe Super Bantamweight title, that co-headline the Dave Murphy Acourtier Events promoted ‘WARZONE’ Xtreme Combat event, that takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday, 30^th November 2013

Devon Alexander: "From Nothing to Something"

"From nothing to something", Devon Alexander emerged from the rough streets of north St. Louis to become the IBF Welterweight Champion. Watch Alexander defend his title against undefeated Shawn Porter, as well as Judah vs. Malignaggi Saturday December 7 at 8PM ET/PT Live on Showtime.

"A lot of people didn't make it out, but I did." - Devon Alexander

IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander has always turned to the gym as an escape from the rough life of gangs and drugs that plague North St. Louis. Now the 26-year-old southpaw is a once-beaten, two-division champ with Hall of Fame aspirations. Check out this video to hear Alexander discuss his upcoming showdown with Shawn Porter, Saturday, Dec. 7, LIVE onSHOWTIME (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. 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, 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 Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI GIVES THANKS AND VISITS WITH BROOKLYN YOUTH AT BARCLAYS CENTER Former Two-Time World Champion Makes Appearance Ahead of His Dec. 7 Fight On SHOWTIME® For Brooklyn Bragging Rights Against Zab Judah

Photo Credit: Adam Pantozzi

Former Two-Time World Champion Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi attended a special Thanksgiving celebration at Barclays Center for community youth. Malignaggi joined the Brooklynettes, BrooklyKnight and LIU Brooklyn mascot for a special Thanksgiving meal for students from Project Mentor Development Council and Put Down the Guns Foundation (P.S. 161 chapter). The former Two-Division World Champion signed autographs, took photos and spoke to the youth about the importance of believing in yourself and following your dreams.

Malignaggi will see one of his dreams realized when he headlines a night of Brooklyn boxing at Barclays Center on Dec. 7 live on SHOWTIME (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) against fellow Brooklynite Five-Time Two-Division World Champion Zab Judah.

Malignaggi vs. Judah is a 12-round welterweight fight taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Super Judah Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T, Casamigos Tequila and Grudge Match. In the co-featured bout, Devon Alexander puts his IBF welterweight title on the line in a 12-round bout against Shawn Porter and Erislandy Lara defends his interim WBA Super Welterweight title in a 12-round fight against Austin Trout. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT immediately following ALL ACCESS: Broner vs. Maidana which begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. PT. The telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/PAULIE-MALIGNAGGI-GIVES-THANKS-AND-VISITS-WITH-BROOKLYN-YOUTH-AT-BARCLAYS-CENTER.html?soid=1102055440350&aid=qt6uvjkl1Go

♔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 Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

NYABC New York Amateur Boxing Championships's Saturday November 30th at The UPSKY Hotel in Hauppauge Long Island.

Just 5 of our exciting bouts! at The UPSKY Hotel in Hauppauge Long Island. Championship Boxing.

MMA On Tonight;UFC 167

Friday, November 15, 2013

Saturday, Nov 16 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in NY and on NBC 2:30 pm ET/11:30 am PT featuring Glazkov vs. Wilson and Dargan vs. Brooks.

DEVON ALEXANDER, SHAWN PORTER, ERISLANDY LARA AND AUSTIN TROUT MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

Thanks, everybody for joining us today. We have four fantastic fighters that are going to be available to talk to you and answer your questions about their fight on the December 7th, Zab Judah and Paulie Malignaggi Undercard at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Kelly Swanson

This call is with Devon Alexander, Shawn Porter, Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout and we're going to start the call with Austin Trout and Erislandy Lara and then we'll switch over to Devon Alexander and Shawn Porter. So, I'm going to turn it over to Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions to make the introductions. Richard?

Richard Schaefer

Thank you, Kelly. Hello, everybody. Good morning, good afternoon. You're right, four great fighters on the phone here, but we're going to have four great fights on that card. It's going to be a quadruple header with three world title fighters, Sakio Bika against Anthony Dirrell opening up the night and then Lara against Trout and Alexander against Shawn Porter and then although no world title at stake, it's going to be the fight of Brooklyn, Malignaggi against Zab Judah.

The Showtime telecast is going to start at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and I'd like to introduce now the two fighters, which are going to be fighting for the WBA Interim Super Welterweight World Title in a 12-round fight. First up I'd like to introduce to you Austin Trout with a record of 26 and 1, from Las Cruces, New Mexico, fighting out of El Paso, Texas. We all know he's the former WBA Super Welterweight World Champion belt he won over Rigoberto Alvarez in February 2011.

He defended the belt successfully four times and then lost, including against Miguel Cotto, which was a great performance there at Madison Square Garden. So, for him it's a coming home to New York to the place where he had the biggest victory of his career.

He is going to be fighting Erislandy Lara, one of the greatest amateur boxers to emerge from Cuba. In 2011 he lost a highly controversial decision over former World Champion Paul Williams, but then followed up with impressive knockouts over Ronald Hearns and outpointed Freddy Hernandez. Then in one hell of an exciting fight his 10-round technical knockout victory over Alfredo Angulo earlier this year and so now he on December the 7th, Lara will face Austin Trout for the WBA 104 pound crown. Lara and Austin Trout are without any question two of the top five pound-for-pound 154 pound fighters. Most experts have them ranked right there, number three and four.

So, this is a very meaningful match-up in this division, in a division I might add, which is loaded with a lot of good names out there. So, I'd like to introduce to you now, with a record of 18 one and two with 12 knockouts, from Cuba now fighting out of Houston, Texas, Erislandy Lara.

Erislandy Lara

Hi everyone. I'm working very hard in the gym. Thank God that everything is going great. Just waiting for the date of the fight, but everything is going very, very good moving forward.

Austin Trout

Well, I want to thank God for the opportunity to get right back to the position where I left, where I felt I belonged. A fighter like Lara is right there in my resume to be fighting the best and being the best.

Hi, guys. Thanks for taking the time to do the call. First question is for Mr. Trout. Austin, I'd like your assessment of Erislandy Lara. What does he bring to the table? What do you think of him technically and how do you plan to beat him?

A. Trout

Well, you know, I'm not going to give how I'm going to beat him, but he brings a very strong technical amateur base to it. He's very strong, having a lot fights in amateurs. I feel like he lacks real heart and will and we're going to go out and expose out that because I'm a technical fighter as well, but as I said I've got the high determination to win in all different types of scenarios.

All right. That's a good assessment. A question for Erislandy. What do you think of Trout technically? What does he bring to the table? And I'd like you to comment on him saying that you maybe lack the heart and the will to win?

E. Lara

Austin Trout is an okay fighter. There's nothing special about him. I feel that he's on his way out. He had his time and I'm going to prove that. And as far as having a heart, you know, let's see in the ring. I'll show him in the ring who has a heart or not and we'll decide then.

Richard, you're talking about these being two of the best here at 154, don't know who's going to win; it's kind of a coin flip fight, but I am curious, do you have any ideas what will happen with the winner? Who might the winner face?

R. Schaefer

Well, you know, you have Carlos Molina, you have Canelo Alvarez, you know, there's obviously Floyd, but I don't see Floyd fighting at 154 unless it's a really big undisputed truly middleweight fight, that kind of thing. You have Angulo still there, you have a bunch of guys so we'll just have to see on how that will match up with the calendars of some of those names I just mentioned now. But I can definitely see a potential fight down the road with Canelo Alvarez.

Hey, guys. Obviously, Richard just said you both have, well, you've already fought Canelo, Austin, and Erislandy has wanted Canelo for a long time. How much incentive does having his name out there as an immediate fight, how much incentive does that add to this fight for you guys, for each of you?

A. Trout

I'm not worried about Canelo. My focus is on Lara. You know, whether Canelo picks the fight with the winner, that's great. I don't know or believe that he will, but regardless of that or not my whole focus is beating Lara on his way out.

Erislandy, same question.

E. Lara

I'm not even thinking about that. I'm even thinking beyond this fight. My job is to first beat Austin Trout and then after that all the other doors are going to open up and I'll take on all comers. Right now I'm just focused on the fight and I'm focused on busting up Austin Trout's mouth.

Okay. One more question for each of you. Austin, the last time you fought a southpaw was David Lopez and we all know how Erislandy did against Paul Williams, who is a southpaw. Can each of you address what the difference is for each of you in facing a southpaw of the caliber that you're going to face on December 7th?

A. Trout

Well, Lara is not David Lopez and I'm not Paul Williams, so the comparison is not really there. David was a bigger slugger, in my opinion, but he was also slower. So, to try to look at that fight towards this fight, it's apples and oranges. He's a different caliber of fighter and a different breed and I'm going to make him look like the amateur he is.

E. Lara

Well, the big difference between Paul Williams and Austin Trout is that Paul Williams has balls. He was a fighter that would attack you and he was aggressive and he would come at you and he knew how to box as well. With Austin Trout, he's just a guy that runs; he's a fighter that runs.

My question for you, Austin, is it's been since April where you had the fight with Canelo. A lot of people thought you did enough maybe to get the decision in that fight. And I'm wondering, you're coming back now end of the year, how much excitement is there for you to get back in the ring? I know that fight didn't go the way you wanted, just your general enthusiasm for the combat once again?

A. Trout

I'm absolutely excited to get in the fight. I really wanted to fight as soon as I could. I wasn't injured, I wasn't necessarily beat up, but I had to wait for December. So, all that in value then builds up and I'm ready to take it out on Lara. Somebody has got to get rid of this guy and I'm happy to be the one to do it. I feel like I'm the only one that can do it, so it's really honorable to be able to get in there and get my belt back at the same time.

Now, when you lost to Canelo in what by all accounts was a very close fight and then you watch Canelo go in his next fight in the humongous event that he had with Floyd and lose in the estimation of most a completely one-sided decision, did you sit and watch that and think to yourself, boy, man, I would have done a lot better against Mayweather than this guy just did?

A. Trout

Most definitely. Like I said, Canelo had his best fight in his life when he fought against me. And in my opinion I'd give myself maybe a seven or eight; it was definitely not my best and then an off night for him, by his standards. And that was the number one thing I thought, like, come on, Canelo, you're making us both look bad, one. And two, you should have just let me go ahead and get that fight because I sure would have put up a better fight than that.

And now, the other big name opponent that you fought, which is Miguel Cotto, who you beat in a fight that there was no controversy about. He's come back and got a victory last month and now he is now in contention, a fight, a big fight with Canelo Alvarez, another huge fight, for the guy that you beat. Do you feel like, I mean, he's the bigger name, I guess, he's the bigger, but does the competitive unfairness maybe gnaw at you a little bit and make you motivated to go out and kick some butt against Lara?

A. Trout

Well, I use that as motivation. It's not necessarily the best fighting the best and, again, except the fight with me and Lara fighting each other, but it's more; I think really that we're fighting each other because nobody else wants to fight us. But you know me, I'll take all comers and for him to say I don't have any balls, he's never watched me fight, which is fine. He can sleepwalk if he wants to.

It's the golden rule; you punch, that makes the rule. I can't be bitter about it because that's something I don't have control over. I've just got to do what I can do with opportunities that come my way and that's really why I'm going to make the most of this opportunity that's presented itself.

So, when you saw Erislandy's last fight, which was a much more action packed fight than we've seen him in typically when he fought, what did you think about that? It seemed like he took advantage of the shortcomings that Alfredo Angulo has, but he also fought in a much more crowd pleasing way than he has in the past. Did you think he changed his style a little bit in that fight and what did you make of it?

A. Trout

I think he had to. He had to fight; Angulo was coming for him and Angulo was catching him. You're either going to fight or flight and he fought some, but he did run a lot so he chose both.

I think maybe, you tell me if I'm wrong here, I think part of the reason why you have not fought since April was you were going through the legal situation and your separation from your previous promoter. Can you talk a little about just the whole aspect of going through the separation and dealing with the legalities and not sure when you'd be allow to fight again?

A. Trout

Gladly. It was hard to not know when you're going to be able to work again. I fell out of work, I felt like I was waiting for my unemployment check which was not coming any time soon. I'm very happy and proud to say that I'm not with Greg Cohen Promotions. It was the best thing that could happen to my career as this year goes and I'm just happy to put that all behind me and move forward.

What actually happened in that? What was the disagreement?

A. Trout

He was trying to sue for some bogus basis. The word forgery can be used very heavily so without going into too many details, I'm just happy that it's over with and now Showtime and Golden Boy, they know that it was all bullshit. So, to get that bullshit aside I'm ready to fight and that's awesome motivation to whip Lara's ass.

Did you sign with Golden Boy now?

A. Trout

I am not signed with Golden Boy technically, but they have promoted my last four or five fights.

R. Schaefer

We have a great relationship, as you know. Austin's with Al Haymon and Al and me work very closely together so even though it's not signed, you know, Floyd Mayweather is not signed with us either, but sometimes those contracts where you don't have a contract may be the best one.

I understand that. I know you guys have a good relationship. I just wanted to know the technical fact of whether he was under your promotional contract. I know that he's with you guys. Thank you, Austin. Good luck in the fight and appreciate your time. Thanks, Richard.

Austin, as you mentioned before, you're getting right back in there and you're going right for a world title just after you lost one. How do you feel about having the opportunity to win back immediately what you lost?

A. Trout

I feel that God doesn't make mistakes. In my loss I learned a lot of things, I learned a lot of things and it helped me tighten up my game, tighten up my business. And, in a sense, the lessons learned kind of evened it up for me and to be able to come right back and get back to my world title, it's kind of predestined in my opinion.

I believe God does everything for a reason and He put me right back in this spot to put me back to where I need to be. Had I won I probably would have never learned these lessons that unfolded themselves.

Erislandy said that he believes that you're going to run in the fight, that you won't stand toe-to-toe with him. It comes down to a situation where you basically have to do that. Will you stand in the trenches with him?

A. Trout

Have you ever seen me run in a fight as opposed to Erislandy Lara? That's all he does in the ring, so I mean, he's just talking. I'm not a runner; I box, but I don't run. And I like to fight, which you can't say about him. If you watch my fight you'll see, I don't run.

All right, when you look at his last fight do you think the type of war that he had with Angulo could actually take something out of him?

A. Trout

Yeah, and that war was brought by Angulo. Lara didn't want any part of that war. He was in a war because he had to survive. I think it's hilarious that he says I'm a runner. That's his MO. He ran from Cuba, he runs in the fight; he's the runner of boxing. So, the title fight will be in my favor.

All right, now having heard Lara does it give you extra motivation to beat him because he's talking so much before this fight?

A. Trout
He talked before the fight was even made and once the fight was made he's gotten real quiet. Whether I like him or don't like him, which I don't, it's not going to change the fact that I'm going to try to take his head off.

And my questions now for Erislandy. You've heard Austin speak and he's saying he's not going to run from you. Why do you think he's going to run?

E. Lara

That's what he's always done in all the fights. It's not the same as stand and fight right in front of you at a fighting distance than to be standing far away and trying to fight far away.

Erislandy, you were dropped twice in your last fight with Angulo. What did you learn from that whole experience?

E. Lara

Yeah, you're right, yeah, he did drop me twice, but we're talking about Angulo, who is a very good fighter. He's a big puncher. He came to win. He was well prepared and he caught me with perfect punches that could pretty much drop anybody. But the fact is that I did get up and I finished the fight and I won.

All right, my final question here is you've had a few decisions that, obviously, didn't go your way the way you wanted to. If this fight builds a scorecard do you feel confident that you will get the decision?

E. Lara

You have to remember that there are technicalities in those two fights that I didn't get the decision and part of it was that I fought on other promoters' fight cards. When I fought Vanes it was a top ranked show and when I fought Paul Williams it was Paul Williams promoter, Goossen, so I fought with them. This time I'm fighting under my promoter's banner and that's the difference.

Austin, when Lara's name was brought to your attention to be a possible opponent in the future, what was the first thing that was going through your head? Was it then beating Lara at the elite level or was that beating Lara would legitimize your name in the sport.

A. Trout

It was both. Beating him was definitely put my stake as the best in 154 pound division. I had a little setback in April and I think Lara's the type of name and opponent that put me right back into the running for the best. After taking out the 154 pound division I want to be ready to go, so first things first. You pass this cat, get my belt back, unify the belt and then go after the top pound big headers.

All right, thanks a lot. And then my next question is for Erislandy. On this call we've mentioned a few times the loss with Paul Williams. Is there anything that you're going to be doing different in this fight, maybe looking for a knockout or more aggressive to kind of prevent the judges from even needing to score the fight?

E. Lara

No, no I'm going to calm. I'm going to be calm in this fight. I'm going to do my job and I'm very confident that doing my job is going to have the results and I'll be fine and I should win.

R. Schaefer

Thanks, Austin. Gracias, Erislandy and I'll see you guys in New York. All right, so we are moving to the co-main event, a great world title fight with Devon Alexander against Shawn Porter. Devon Alexander, without any question, one of the big names in the sport of boxing, a former IBF Junior Welterweight and WBC Super Lightweight World Champion, a record of 25-1 with 14 KO's. Has wins over Lucas Matthysse, Marcos Maidana, Juan Urango, Junior Witter and on and on. That's why it makes him the star and the big name he is.

And with Shawn Porter we have one of the United States' best amateur boxers with that time, a top Welterweight fighter, scored earlier this year a dominant 10-round decision over previously unbeaten Phil Lo Greco. And to set the record straight this past September when he pounded out a clear-cut 10-round decision in the rematch with Julio Diaz, certainly a young fighter, a hungry fighter, a fighter who is ready to become world champion and when the opportunity presented itself to fight against Devon Alexander he was immediately on board.

This is the kind of opportunity young emerging stars are waiting for and Shawn Porter is going to be coming on December the 7 to the Barclays Center, not to pick up the paycheck - that, too - but to pick up a world title. And I know he's always exciting. He's going to be well-prepared. It's a pleasure now for me to introduce to you, Shawn Porter. Do you want to make some opening comments?

S. Porter

No, just want to let you guys know that camp is going good, I'm working hard, studying Devon every day and when I'm not studying him I'm in the gym. So, doing what a professional athlete is supposed to do, stay on top of my grind, day and night, and I'll be ready on December 7th.

R. Schaefer

Great. Thank you, Shawn. I'm going to introduce to you now Devon Alexander. Devon Alexander, as I said, former IBF Junior Welterweight and WBC Super Lightweight World Champion. He moved up in 2012 to the Welterweight division and was crowned the IBF Welterweight World Champion by defeating Randall Bailey right there at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

So, he's going to come back to the scene and he is going to want to make his next world title defense. He earlier this year made the first title defense against Lee Purdy in a match that only went seven rounds after he was being stopped, after Alexander stopped Purdy by way of technical knockout and so now here he is making his next world title defense from the Barclays Center. Please welcome Devon Alexander.

D. Alexander

Hello, you guys, the media and everyone who are on the phone. This is an awesome fight. We know with Shawn Porter what I'm going to do. We know he's going to be ready, but it's not going to be enough. Yeah, training camp is going good. I'm in tremendous shape and will be ready to go 12 full rounds. If less, that's great, too. But I'm training to go the 12 full rounds and Shawn Porter better be ready December 7 because nobody is beating me, nobody. So, be ready.

Hey, a question for you. You know, earlier this year you were supposed to fight; Kell Brook was considered a pretty big fight for both of you guys. He dropped out with the injury, you ended up fighting a replacement, Lee Purdy. And for this fight in December everybody thought, Richard said many times, both sides seemed to be into it, that you were supposed to fight Amir Khan, that would have been a pretty big fight.

For whatever reason he decided not to fight you and now you're fighting Shawn Porter, who - and no disrespect to Shawn - is not as big of a name at this point in boxing as Khan was and I'm wondering from your point of view, after the disappointment of the Brook fight dropping out and then Khan deciding not to fight you, are you feeling a little let down by the way your schedule has gone this year?

D. Alexander

Well, I mean I just let my team handle that. Of course, I want the big names, I want the big wins so I can the notoriety that I want. Like you said, Kell Brook fell through and the Amir Khan fight fell through, which both would have been great wins for me. But everything happens for a reason.

I'm just a fighter. If the fighters don't want to get in the ring with me, what can I do? The only thing I can do is trust in my team to give me the best opponent, the best things that I need at the time. So, maybe it's not meant for me to fight a U.K. fighter because every time I'm scared to fight one of them if something happens.

You know, I leave it up to my team. And if Shawn Porter is going to the next victim, that's going to be it. So, hey, what can I do?

Well, you did fight Lee Purdy, who is from the U.K., so I'm not sure that theory holds up. But my question to continue on that topic is, with regard to Brook, he had a legitimate injury, obviously, with the stress fracture so there was an understandable reason why he couldn't fight you in July, or I forget what month it was, but he didn't fight you because of the injury.

But Amir Khan doesn't have an injury, so what are your thoughts about Amir kind of doing the dance with you to negotiate and saying that he was going to fight you and all this other stuff and then back out?

D. Alexander

You know, you have to be a true champion and a true fighter. I'm an old school fighter and I'll fight anybody. If something happens, I just I can't call it. There are a lot of rumors out there about why Khan pulled it out or why this, why that. But I can't speak on that. I wanted to fight because I know that fight would have given another rise that I needed. I'm one of the best welterweights in the division and it didn't happen.

So, who knows what he's thinking, what his team is doing, I don't know. I think that based on if I was the best risk, that I was too much right now for him or whatever. I don't know, but I was ready to fight him in December, but he pulled it out so it didn't happen that way.

So, now you have Shawn in front of you, who is an undefeated young fighter. Just even based on his opening remarks, he seems hungry. I've watched him a long time and I know he's probably really up for this challenge that you present to him. Have you seen him fight before and what do you think about his potential to be a champion someday?

D. Alexander

Yeah, I saw him fight before. I know Shawn from the amateurs and I fought him when I was little and I beat him and I don't see any difference in December 7th. Might as well keep the thing rolling. But, I know Shawn. He's a good fighter, a good kid. But his skills are limited. I mean, you can't beat me if you don't remember that. You have to be something special and I'm going to be ready December 7th whatever he brings, whatever. You know, him and his dad's plan, it's not going to work because my coach, he's a master strategist. He broke Shawn Porter down from the feet to the head, so it doesn't matter. So, we'll be ready.

When did you fight him as an amateur, Devon?

D. Alexander

At the Ohio State Fair.

And did you remember the fight? How long ago was that?

D. Alexander

Man, that's when I was eight or nine.

Oh, you were a little kid.

D. Alexander

Yeah, I was little.

You actually remember the fight? I mean you had a lot of amateur fights.

D. Alexander

Yeah, yeah, I remember the fight. I remember the fight. That was one of my bigger tournaments that I went to when I first started, so that's one of the ones that stuck with me that I remember because it was one of the very first ones that my coach took me to.

Did you win a decision in the fight?

And there were some rides there, some roller coasters and I was excited to be there, so I was a kid, so you know I was happy.

Did you win a decision?

D. Alexander

Yeah.

All right, thank you for that, Devon. Hey, Shawn, do you remember that fight that he's talking about? You're even younger I think than Devon is?

S. Porter

Yeah, I remember going three one-minute rounds throwing punches at each other, I remember that.

So, you're saying not much of a fight then, not a real fight.

S. Porter

No, man it's not much difference between then and now, but we're grown men now and, like you said, I'm hungry and I'm up for the challenge so December 7th, but we'll see December 7th.

So, one other question for you then. Where I understand where Devon is coming from and the disappointment maybe that Khan decided not to take that challenge because he wanted to fight the bigger name. On the opposite end of that, you've got to be thrilled that Amir Khan didn't take the fight because now you get a shot at a world title. Can you talk about your enthusiasm for seeing what happened with Khan rejecting the fight and you getting the opportunity to get what's the biggest fight of your career by far?

Like you said, just a lot of enthusiasm. After that fight watching to see who is going to make what moves and what belts are going to be fought for and all that kind of stuff, when I saw that Amir Khan was talking about fighting Devon I kind said, okay, well maybe we'll get one of those two after that fight.

And when Amir stepped down it was like, okay, it's got to be me. And so you're waiting by the phone, waiting on it to be you and then finally it's you. So, just a lot of excitement built up inside my body and I can't wait to let it out. I'm going to be ready. I'm going to be ready mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, all the way. I'm a well rounded fighter. I've got way more to bring to the ring than Devon thinks and I'm going to show him that on December 7th.

Hey, you spent a number of years, I don't know how long in terms of fights maybe you can tell me, as a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao. Obviously, he's a southpaw. Can you tell me how many fights that was and what you gained from that experience heading into this fight against Devon who is a southpaw?

S. Porter

I trained with Manny for Miguel Cotto and then also again for Shane Mosley, so I've got a lot of rounds under my belt with Manny Pacquiao and a lot of experience, but I think more than anything it just makes me comfortable again fighting a southpaw with some quick hands and some quick feet.

It's nothing that I haven't seen before, nothing that I've never been in the ring with, so I think December 7th, I'll be bringing a little bit more to the ring than Devon will in terms of experience against fighters, against the fight style that I'm up against. Manny Pacquiao is arguably one of the best of our time right now and I've gone toe-to-toe with him, I backed him up, I made him really fight me.

So, a lot of experience in the gym and around the world fighting, so this is an opportunity that Richard Schaefer spoke on that you can't help to rise to the occasion and I'm excited about it and I will be ready for it.

First of all, you've had some pretty solid performances at 147 pounds. You've said that the reason for some of your questions in the fights you've had during the latter part of your 140 pound career were because of weight loss. You came real close to having a really signature performance against Maidana and I know your criticism of yourself was that had you had that fight again you would stop him.

Could this be the signature fight that you're looking for against a solid opponent that you can look spectacular? If so, what aspects of your game do you think will be accentuated against Shawn Porter?

D. Alexander

Well, as you guys can see, every fight I'm getting better and better. When I made my move to 147, each fight I got better and better and better. I'm learning something from every day. You don't see just one style in Devon Alexander. You just see me standing there or you just see me box or you can see me do most new things. So, that's what people are now realizing.

But this fight is going to be one of my signature fights. Sean Porter is going to come to fight. Of course he is, he's supposed. That's what he's supposed to do. But it's not going to be enough. I believe in my skills. You've got to believe in yourself, believe in your skills. You know, as far as sparring with Pacquiao. I'm not a sparring partner. I don't go around sparring with people. I don't have that mentality. When you go around sparring other fighters, you know get that sparring mentality, right. You know, I need to take off, I need to let him beat me; I don't have that. I'm not a sparring partner.

You know, you can have all the sprint and sparring and this and that. But this is fighting. When you get in the ring it's about skill. So, I'm getting better and better. He's going to see it December 7th. What I'm going to, you know, I'm getting better. You guys will say, wow, he is getting better and better each fight. So, you've got to see it.

Okay, Devon, my last question to you is how is your left hand, the one you injured against Purdy and how is the, obviously, you wanted to get in the ring earlier, how has the time off helped you?

D. Alexander

Yeah, the left hand is good. I've been going to therapy for about a month and a half and I've been throwing my left hand like a rocket this year. You guys will see more of that come December 7th. Like I said, and I'm ready to rock.

What did you say about you're going to throw it like what?

D. Alexander

Like a rocket.

Thanks for taking the time. The question is for Shawn. Shawn, Devon called your skills limited. I'm wondering how you take that, do you take offense to it and also I do have to think that Devon is the best guy that you've ever fought, right? I mean, this is at least one step up from anyone that you've ever fought before, is he not?

S. Porter

Well, he's the world champion so he's got to be the best up to this point. As far as he calling my skills limited, that gives me confidence that he doesn't know what he's up against. That gives me confidence that he won't be ready for this fight. If he hasn't seen anything yet that I can't beat him with, he will see it December 7th, that's for sure.

And sort of technically how do you see that fight unfolding? Kind of give me a game plan, but what sort of fight do you see happening, a distance fight, a trading or slick boxing? What kind of a fight are we going to see?

S. Porter

He's a good boxer, I'm not going to try to box him early in the fight. He's quick, I've got to match his quickness. I've got to match his speed and I'm more powerful than him, so I think you'll see me rough him up and show that I'm a powerful, better boxer than that.

And, Devon, what do you think of that game plan from Shawn? He says he's more powerful than you, he thinks he can rough you up

D. Alexander

That's what a lot of people say until they get in the ring. That's what Maidana said, that's what Urango said, that's what a lot of fighters that I fought. I've heard that before. I've heard the same song, this and that. I say his power is limited. You saw what happened. People better not underestimate my power, because it's there.

But you'll see. Like I said, his game plan is his game plan, but that doesn't mean that's the right game plan.

And for fans who haven't seen maybe too much of Shawn Porter, can you give me an assessment, a scouting report of what he brings to the table, strengths and weaknesses? I said for fans that especially haven't seen much of Shawn Porter, can you give me a scouting report, what he brings to the table, his strength and his weakness

D. Alexander

He brings toughness. He's going to be tough. He's going to be game. He's not just going to lay down. And he's going to be in shape and he's going to come prepared. He's got some skills. Like I said, this is boxing. He's been boxing since he's an amateur, so, he's got to have some type of skills. He's in this for a reason and you can't take him lightly. I'm going into this fight like I'd fight Floyd Mayweather and that's what I'm going to do.

Hi, Devon. The question I have for you is that you became a champion at the age of 22 and a lot of people kind of forget that you're only 26 years old right now. Do you think right now that you've only matured as a fighter?

D. Alexander

I guess you hit the nail right on the coffin, I definitely have. I feel a lot of things that I used to do that I could have been doing, but I'm doing them now. My confidence level is up. I'm highly motivated. I'm focused, I'm zoned in. That's why I say nobody can beat me. I'm at a point in my career that I'm at the peak of my career. I'm at the prime and I'm fully focused, I'm zoned in and that's why I say nobody can beat me. When I'm zoned in and focused and prepared nobody can beat me and that's where I'm at right now.

Okay. My next question now is for Shawn Porter. Shawn, given the fact that you avenged your only blemish against Julio Diaz in your last fight, does that give you extra confidence going into this fight?

S. Porter

There's a lot of confidence coming up for that fight. I think every fighter, we go to the gym every day to improve and learn and get better and I think in that fight, I'm able to take a look at that fight and see where I've improved and gotten better and that more than anything gives me confidence, knowing that I can do all of what I did in that fight against Diaz and more than that against Devon to beat him. So, a lot of confidence built up inside of me right now and around my camp as well.

Richard, the question I have for you is this fight is at welterweight. Are you ideally looking to match the winner of this fight with the winner of Malignaggi/Judah?

R. Schaefer

Well, you know the welterweight division as to super welterweight, junior middleweight as well are very loaded divisions. I think the 147, the welterweight, is probably the most loaded of any division in the sport, so there are a lot of opportunities and possibilities there. Certainly the winner of that fight is one of the possibilities, but there are so many other names here at 147, which could be put in, so opponents for the winner of that fight.

Hey, Devon, hey, Shawn. Shawn, you talked a little bit about how you wanted to be a welterweight champion. Can you tell us a little bit about how this opportunity falls in line with your goals?

S. Porter

This is great. It's a wonderful opportunity. It's funny because sometimes I may just walk past this door and see my reflection in that window and just think to myself, oh, that's what a world champion looks like. So, it's like everything that I've ever wanted, everything I've been working for, literally it's coming to pass now and it's a wonderful feeling.

I know that it's a great opportunity that I actually get in the ring and do everything that I'm talking about doing, but the best part about it is I believe that I can and I'm excited to get in there and do it and perform at the Barclays Center, which is just an unbelievable venue and just a lot of excitement. And, like you said, becoming a world champion, that's number one goal right now.

I'm actually the other day thinking to myself, man, I've got to come up with some new goals now because this awesome goal is about to be accomplished and I'm just very excited about it.

Okay. And then finally, Devon is a dangerous fighter. He's a world champ, but you talked earlier about how you've been studying him on film. Do you look back at the Bradley fight, in particular, and think how your aggressive style and your improved defense can force him to quit again?

S. Porter

You know what, I'm going to do whatever it takes to win this fight and if that's making him quit, if that's making him sit down and not get up, if that's knocking him down and him not getting up, if that's taking this fight 12 rounds and winning the decision, I'm prepared. I will be prepared to do whatever it takes to go home with that IBF title. And I'm just too hell bent on winning that fight and having that title not to have it. I'm looking forward to nothing after the fight; everything is this fight and that's it.

And you take a look at the Bradley fight and you look at what he did and I know that I'm a little sharper than Bradley was in that fight and I can get to Devon's body a little bit better than Bradley did and I can get to his head a little bit better than Bradley did and I may do some things a little bit better than Bradley did, you know, if it comes to Devon quitting, which the kid is from St. Louis. I'm not expecting him to quit at all.

I'm expecting him to come 100 percent with his best and, like he said, in his zone. And I think this will make for a great fight. You see two fighters, two young fighters in the zone fighting for one goal and that's that world championship belt. He's trying to keep it, I'm trying to take it. It's going to be an exciting night December 7th and I'm ready to do whatever it takes to win that fight.

I said you're definitely not saying kids from St. Louis are as tough as kids from Cleveland, right?

S. Porter

Not at all, man. We do what we have to do as fighters so I think from that aspect it's just a mutual respect. I know where he's from. I know what he's about and I'm pretty sure he knows the same. If not, he knows that I've been around this game long enough to know that I've got to come 100 percent on December 7th or I can't win the fight. So, there's no questions that won't be answered before we get to that ring December 7th. You'll see some fireworks December 7th for sure.

Kenneth Porter (Shawn's Father/Trainer)

I've got question. I've got a quick question. Did you Shawn get cut in any of his fights?

K. Swanson

Okay, just make your point then.

Kenneth Porter (Shawn's Father/Trainer)

The point I was making was we've been cut in our fights, we continue, we don't stop. We don't blink, like Devon did, when he'd rub his eye and say I've got something in the wrong eye and not the eye that I got hit in, not the eye I got cut in or anything to that effect.

We're coming to win. We have absolutely nothing that's going to stop us. I'm going to cut the kid before they go in the ring. We're not going to have no excuses.

R. Schaefer

All right. Thank you, guys. Thank you to everybody. I just want to say I think what we've seen in those two interviews we had today with Lara and Trout and Alexander and Porter is there's certainly sparks and those sparks will carry into the ring on Saturday night, December the 7th. Great quadruple header three world title fight.

And, again, I think what we have done, Golden Boy, this year is to make it affordable. For as little as $25, yes, $25 you can be in one of the best venues in the world, the Barclays Center, a brand new, multi-billion dollar facility and you're going to be able to see three world title fights and the title for the Pride of Brooklyn between Malignaggi and Zab Judah. All that for as little as $25. I think make sure that your readers or your audience will know about it and they're going to show up on December the 7th. I'm very proud to put that card at the Barclays Center.

Thank you very much, Devon. Thank you very much, Shawn. And I'll see you all on December the 7th.

K. Swanson

Thanks, everybody. That concludes our call.

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