International Media Conference Call

Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter Jr. International Media Conference Call Transcript & Audio Recording

Richard Schaefer
Thank you very much and thank you to all the media members and the fighters for being available today on this call. I’m really happy to talk a little bit about this upcoming fight. Clearly this is the fight of the summer. Probably going to be a Fight of the Year candidate. It’s one of those can’t miss fights and whenever you have champion versus champion, undefeated versus undefeated, you know that the fight fans are in for a special treat.

Mikey Garcia versus Robert Easter Jr. for the Unified Lightweight Championship of the World, two fighters in their prime challenging themselves for greatness. Premier Boxing Champions presents this fight, a truly premier event from the premier venue in the United States, the STAPLES Center, Saturday July 28th. It seems whenever you have a fight at the STAPLES Center they always exceed – not only live up to, but exceed their expectations. The STAPLES Center is the kind of venue with the way it’s built and the way the crowds are embracing their fighters there in the center ring, it always brings out the best of the athletes performing at the STAPLES Center.

It’s a 15-fight card and yes you heard right: 15 fights are on the card. I don’t really remember ever having promoted a card with that many fights and the good news is it’s not just like a pileup of fights. It really is a great card top to bottom. As part of the tripleheader on SHOWTIME, we are going to have one of the best heavyweights, Luis “King Kong” Ortiz on the card and we have one of the most exciting young junior welterweights in Mario Barrios. He’s undefeated with 21 wins, 13 KOs from San Antonio. We will have him on the card as well.

Also Fabian Maidana, Marcos Maidana’s brother, who is quickly make a name for himself. He’s 15-0 now with 11 KOs so make sure you keep an eye on him as well. And then the most talked about elite prospect from the U.S. from the Olympics – Rio Olympics in 2016 Karlos Balderas will be returning to the STAPLES Center as well. He’s 5-0 now.

Tickets for this boxing extravaganza and that’s what it really is, are starting at $50. We do anticipate a huge crowd at STAPLES Center. We saw that with the last fight we did there with Mares and Santa Cruz. Huge lines formed the day of the fight, people buying tickets last minute. So if you do intend to go I would suggest that fans do go and buy their tickets now.

I want to thank the man who made it all possible, who’s passionate about the sport, passionate about the fighters he advises and manages and that is of course Al Haymon. I would like to thank the entire Haymon team. It’s always a pleasure to work with them. And then of course I like to thank our co-promoter, the President and of TGB Promotions Tom Brown.

Now for those who can’t make it to STAPLES Center of course the fight will be shown live on the number one boxing destination and that is SHOWTIME. SHOWTIME clearly is number one and no one out there comes even close. Their continued commitment to the sport, with the best fighting the best, champion versus champion and in this case here a unification fight, a stacked card and the man who makes that possible is a good friend of mine and he is first and foremost a boxing fan himself and he is of course President Sports & Events Programming, Showtime Network Inc. Stephen Espinoza.

Stephen Espinoza
Thanks very much Richard. Appreciate that introduction. This fight which we are all very excited about, champion versus champion, will be the third world title unification fight on SHOWTIME just this year. We’ve spent the last two or three years trying to ramp up and position things so that 2018 and maybe ’19 will be periods in which we will see these kinds of unifications. So we’ve done all the work, the fighters have done the hardest part and I’d like to recognize both Mikey and Robert Easter Jr. for taking this fight and taking this fight with no delay.

There is a long history of exciting lightweight unification fights on SHOWTIME. In fact, the last lightweight unification fight on SHOWTIME was of course Corrales versus Castillo in 2005. So those are big shoes to fill but I think there’s a tremendous matchup with two very skilled fighters.

Both Garcia and Easter are coming off victories in world title fights on SHOWTIME, Mikey defeating Sergey Lipinets for the 140 title and Easter making the third defense of his title versus Javier Fortuna. Mikey Garcia since coming back from his layoff has quickly risen to a top five pound-for-pound consensus fighter. In four fights on SHOWTIME since returning he’s won world titles in two different divisions.

The one thing that speaks well about Mikey among many things is that he seeks out the biggest and toughest fights. We’ve seen that over and over again. In this particular case no one’s rushing to fight Robert Easter Jr. He’s a tall, athletic and skilled fighter and no one really is anxious to fight him other than Mikey, who didn’t hesitate at all. This is Mikey’s first fight in Southern California in seven years. Last time he fought here was 2011. I know, having discussed it with Mikey, that it was important to him and he’s going to put on a good show for the crowd.

Robert Easter Jr. is in fact the longest current reigning champion at135 pounds, who won his title in 2016. He has rare physical gifts, 5-foot-11, 76-inch reach. That gives him a big height and reach advantage over Mikey and part of what makes this an intriguing matchup. You add in Luis Ortiz and two really interesting young super lightweights in Mario Barrios and Jose Roman, and we’ve got a really exciting triple-header on SHOWTIME.

R. Schaefer
Thank you very much Stephen. It’s a pleasure now for me to introduce to you Team Easter. Robert has been waiting for a moment like this, a world champion, undefeated, and a big-time fighter. A champion like Robert Easter Jr., they like to challenge themselves against the best. And when the fight was offered to him against Mikey Garcia, he didn’t hesitate a second. He said where do I sign? In fact, he’s been looking for this fight because he knows in order to become the best and the biggest you need to fight the best and the biggest.

He’s undefeated, a huge crowd attraction in Toledo, Ohio. With Kevin Cunningham he has a world class trainer in his corner. I’d like to acknowledge Kevin as well as Robert’s father, Mr. Robert Easter, Sr. Kevin certainly knows how to train and he knows how to get the best out of world champions. He is a very smart trainer and he knows how to come up with the right game plans to win fights.

And as it relates to Robert Easter Jr., when he lands next week here in Los Angeles let there be no doubt about it: he’s not coming here to deliver a belt. He’s coming here to pick up another one. And it’s a pleasure for me now to introduce to you the undefeated lightweight world champion Robert Easter, Jr.

Robert Easter Jr.
Camp has been really good. We had a long camp, nine-plus weeks and just staying focused and staying sharp and everybody in has been waiting for this fight and this moment for a long time. I believe this fight is what boxing deserves, champion versus champion. I’m no stranger to tough fights. This is going to define my career and make the best out of me, fighting another best great fighter.

This fight with Mikey Garcia is one of the big fights that I’ve been waiting on for so long and it’s finally here. July 28th and we’ll see one of the best you’ve ever seen. I’m going to bring in plenty of skills thanks to my coach Robert Easter, Sr. and Coach Kevin Cunningham. We’ve made adjustments and changes in my game and everything is coming out perfect. July 28th you will see me with two belts.

Q
Given your fights against Javier Fortuna and Richard Commey would you call this fight against Mikey by far the biggest of your career given the stakes?

R. Easter
Yes of course, I look at every fight like it’s big. Of course with this one being another champion it is even bigger. So we train hard for every fight and we look at every opponent the same. We don’t just favor just one opponent. I step in there I step in the ring with my life on the line.

Q
What advantages do you feel you have over Mikey that will enable you to beat him on July 28th?

R. Easter
My height and my speed and my power. My ability to box will keep him away and eventually I’ll be able to finish get off the power punches I want.

Q
Robert how do you feel that you fought in your fight against Javier Fortuna? What did you like about your performance and what did you dislike about it?

R. Easter
I believe I fought that fight wrong and made it tougher on myself. Instead of using my reach and my ability to box, I sort of smothered my punches. But when I fight I move on from it, we learned from it as well as every fight.

Q
Was that the fight that really convinced you to go with Kevin after what happened in that fight?

R. Easter
No. What convinced me to go to Kevin is, to just switch it up, make things less comfortable for me. I was too comfortable in Toledo having things my way, doing things my way and just around too many distractions.

Q
Kevin also can you assess how Robert fought against Javier Fortuna and what you thought about his performance in that fight?

Kevin Cunningham
Well I thought after watching the fight I thought the fight could’ve been a lot easier for Robert just if he had used his natural gifts in terms of the height and reach and control and range and distance. Like he explained, he knows the mistakes that he was making in the fight. He was not using his range properly, not controlling distance and then smothering his punches by fighting in a little too close and giving up his height and things of that nature.

Robert understands what he needs to do to, the adjustments that he needs to make. He’s got the ability and the skill to pick it up going back, pick it up. He’s really looking sharp and I just think that he’s really going to put on a show come July 28.

Q
I know you are friends with Adrien Broner and Gervonta Davis and everything. So I was just wondering if perhaps on the night of April 21, when both of those fighters had their debut bouts with Kevin in their corner, was there anything specifically that you saw in those performances for both of those guys that convinced you that maybe Cunningham was the move for you for this type of fight?

R. Easter
I saw the focus and the shape those guys were in. Plus, every step of the way I was calling Adrien. I was on the phone with him throughout the camp. And I was seeing videos and he was telling me things they were doing.

I’m pretty familiar with Coach Cunningham anyway, growing up and I’d see him in the amateurs and of course in the pros. Plus he from the Midwest so it was like family. So he welcomed me in with open arms, and there you have it. I’m here at camp with him and we cooking up something for July 28.

Q
Did you watch the kind of exchanges that Broner and Cunningham had in the corner and is that something that you think could be beneficial on July 28?

R. Easter
Of course. That’s a big reason why I made this move to come down here and be in Coach Cunningham’s program. Like I said, being back at home, I had a lot of distractions and my mind was everywhere and I couldn’t focus just on boxing. So whenever I was in the ring, I was never sticking to a game plan.

So making that move with Coach Cunningham, he made me focus on our game plan and nothing but our game plan. That’s all I’ve been focused on, is boxing, period. Being away from home and all the distractions, all I can think about is boxing.

Q
Coach Cunningham, the influx of these world-class guys coming down to Florida to work with you, what has that meant to you professionally?

K. Cunningham
Well, I appreciate the fact that a lot of these guys appreciate me really giving them 110% if they make the decision to come to my camp. So, we kind of reciprocate the appreciation with each other. It’s all work and no play down here. It’s just a tremendous situation for these guys.

Any time you come and put the work in, like Robert for instance, his camp will be, weeks when it’s over and he left no stone unturned. He sacrificed everything. He did everything that was asked of him. And he’s a talented guy. He’s naturally talented. We have a tremendous game plan. He’s been a pleasure to work with.

R. Schaefer
Excellent. Thank you very much. I want to thank Robert and Kevin, Team Easter for being on the call and making themselves available. I know we are in the final days of training and I know you’re going to be traveling out here soon to Los Angeles. Looking forward to seeing you all and welcoming you to STAPLES Center for this big unification bout. So good luck and I’ll see you guys next week.

So let’s move right along. It’s a pleasure for me to introduce to you Team Garcia now. We have pound-for-pound trainer Robert Garcia on the line and we have the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Mikey Garcia on the line. Both will be available to answer questions.

Mikey’s an athlete who keeps challenging himself to fight the best. He seeks out the most challenging and biggest challenges. And in this fight here, I mean biggest as well, literally. With Robert Easter, Mikey will face a fighter who possesses skills and power and is obviously naturally gifted with his height and reach advantage.

But Mikey is a four-division world champion. He’s moving up and down these weight classes as if they don’t exist, always finding a way to solve the most difficult and most challenging puzzles. In fact, he’s only the third fighter in modern history to be a champion, a world champion, at 126, 130, 135 and 140 pounds. And I have that sneaky feeling that he’s not done yet.

He’s a man who is driven to make history. This is Mikey’s first unification bout. It’s Mikey’s first fight in Los Angeles for I believe seven years. And he knows where he is going to perform on Saturday night and it is a building which is reserved for the biggest stars in sports and in music, and that’s the STAPLES Center. I know that Mikey will be ready for this challenge, for any challenge.

It’s a pleasure now for me to introduce to you the undefeated superstar, the undefeated world champion and the undefeated pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world, Miguel Angel “Mikey” Garcia.

Mikey Garcia
Well, you know, camp is winding down now but camp went very well. We had a nine-week camp and great sparring, greater number of rounds. I’m excited for the fight. I’m very happy that we happened to land a unification match. It’s big fight for me in my career.

I’m happy it could land it here in L.A. It’s even more wonderful. I get to experience this fight with my local supporters. And so I couldn’t ask for anything else. I think everything is going very well and I’m just very happy.

Q
From what you’ve seen of Robert Easter Jr., what does he bring to the table? And what are you going to have to be most watchful for?

M. Garcia
Well, I’ve seen him on several occasions and he’s a fighter. He’s had some tough fights and I think he’s had those tough fights because he allows it to get tough for himself. Because he’s a fighter, he likes to fight. He likes to exchange punches and gives up the height and reach advantage at times. But he’s always in the fight. He’s always punching. He’s dangerous. He has power.

I think he might actually use his height and reach early on. So that’s something I have to be aware of. I have to be prepared. And that’s what we did in the gym. We worked on a lot of things to overcome those height and reach advantages. But I’ll make those adjustments. I have experience fighting a lot of different opponents, different styles, different heights. I’d say I’ll be prepared to do whatever it takes to win on the night of the 28th.

Q
Hey, Richard, just really quick. How are the ticket sales going for this event?

R. Schaefer
Tickets are going excellent. Actually, some of the price categories, we’re sold out and we’re having a meeting this afternoon with the STAPLES people to see if we can open up some more. So I do anticipate a very big crowd, a fantastic crowd. The fight fans are here in L.A. They love a great fight. They love a big fight and they’re going to show up.

With Mikey Garcia, they have somebody who’s a local guy, who they can cheer on and who they can support. With Mikey Garcia, they have a pound-for-pound No. 1 in the world and he’s coming from right here, from Los Angeles. So fans will show up.

Q
Mikey it’s your first time back at 135 for the last couple of fights, how’s your body reacting to it? Are you feeling comfortable getting back at the weight?

M. Garcia
Yes, I’m comfortable. We had, like I said, a long camp with nine weeks. And the right eating, the right diet allows me to be able to fluctuate in weight and come back down to 135. I feel strong. I feel fast. I feel very healthy.

Q
You’ve fought at lightweight and super lightweight. Which division do you feel more comfortable in? Or does it matter to you at this point?

M. Garcia
Well, I feel comfortable at both divisions. I feel fast and strong in either division. But I do feel that I’m at a disadvantage when I’m fighting at super lightweight, 140 pounds. Those guys are naturally bigger and carry more weight. But I feel the same as far as my abilities go. And that’s why I’m able to fight in both divisions because I feel fast and strong in either one.

Fighting at lightweight, I think it’s more of an even category, weight class. Even though my opponent this time around is a lot taller and has a lot of reach, we weigh the same. I don’t feel that that’s going to be any factor, when it comes to fight night. But I feel comfortable really. I honestly do feel comfortable in both divisions.

Q
Looking at Robert’s length and his reach, Javier Fortuna found a lot of interesting ways to get inside of him. I’m wondering, did you study that fight? And did you pick anything up that Javier Fortuna did that you could capitalize on?

M. Garcia
Well, I’ve seen the fight. And believe it or not, Javier Fortuna has a weird, awkward style that makes everybody have problems. He’ll give problems to anybody no matter height or reach. Javier Fortuna is tricky, experienced, a former champion. Robert Easter Jr., sometimes gives up those height and reach advantages on his own because he’s a fighter, because he likes to fight and exchange punches and looks for a knockout. And that’s part of the reason why Fortuna had some success in a really difficult fight. But overall, I still felt that Robert won and did enough to win that fight.

Q
Given the stakes of his fight, does the fact that you’re fighting in Los Angeles make the fight even more special than your previous ones?

M. Garcia
Well, it’s a big fight for me. I’ll be unifying titles at lightweight so that’s a big accomplishment and it does make it more special because it’s here in LA, in Southern California, my home. I get a chance to give my local fans and people a chance to support me and an opportunity to see me live for the first time in seven years. I’ve been fighting in Texas and New York and out of other states.

So, it’s very special for me to be here. I know I have a lot of family, a lot of support, a lot of fans out here in France who sometimes can make the trips out and this time they’re definitely going to be here so that makes it a little more special.

Q
I know there’s been some chatter about you potentially moving up in weight again or looking at other big fights, does it become tough at times to not look ahead of your current fight or is it you just not pay mind to that kind of talk and chatter?

M. Garcia
Well, I will discuss anything — any options available, any name that’s being mentioned, I have no problem with. It doesn’t distract me from my opponent in front of me. Robert Easter Jr. is a tough fighter who I have to take very seriously and I do and that’s why we did a nine-week training camp and got the great sparring, got the right training, the right diet–everything.

But speaking about other opponents, other fighters in the possible future doesn’t affect me at all, , I’m willing to speak and discuss anything with anybody.

Q
Richard, are you expecting attendance number around the last fight at STAPLES Center? A lot higher? Lower?

R. Schaefer
No, I expect an attendance number around that ballpark, maybe even more. When I started working with Mikey, one of our goals was to really start making the STAPLES Center at least once a year, the home for Mikey Garcia.

Before that, before that fight we did with Mares and Santa Cruz, it has been quite a while before STAPLES Center had a fight card. But to be able to make STAPLES Center your home was one of the goals and Mikey’s a very ambitious guy and he set many other goals which, I’m sure, at due course he will discuss with you guys. But, you know, to fight in STAPLES Center is a big thing and Mikey’s the right guy and he will be the king – the king of LA and the king of boxing and to pound-for-pound king and all of those kings, you watch and see.

Q
Do you consider this a chance to really to make your statement that you are, indeed, not only the king of the lightweight division but also pound-for-pound?

M. Garcia
So, I always have believed I’m the best and that’s why I’m taking on these fights to prove to everybody that there’s no one else better than me, there’s no one else equal to me and these are the fights that excite me the most and will cement my name.

Q
How important is it to fight an undefeated fighter like Easter?

M. Garcia
I’m looking for the most attractive fights, most important fights for me in my career and I want fights just like this, undefeated champions. I’m fighting champion after champion, those are the fights that will excite me the most and motivate me the most.

I could easily be defending my title against top contenders in the top ten, but if they haven’t been champions or their record’s not perfect, it doesn’t really excite me, it doesn’t motivate me. But that’s why I’m facing guys like Dejan Zlaticanin, Sergey Lipinets — undefeated champions. These are fights that really motivate me and excite me because in the end, I want to leave my name cemented in the history books of boxing.

Q
I saw that you were at the ESPY’s yesterday, and you were there, it’s across the street from STAPLES Center, did you have any thoughts about your fight when you were leaving and taking a look at the arena? Did you think about your fight? Or did you tell people anything about it?

M. Garcia
Well, I was just excited to be there and I’m looking forward to next week when I come back and fight in front of all my local fans. It’s exciting to be there at the red carpet, meeting all these athletes and just being around that atmosphere is great at the ESPY’s. But my task next week is most important and that’s what I’m looking forward to.

Q
When you were an amateur boxer and you were fighting in the Golden Gloves, like right there in the Lincoln Park, did you ever have dreams of fighting at STAPLES Center?

M. Garcia
Well, I remember going to STAPLES Center to watch some of the fights there and it’s always just nice to be in that arena and I’ve seen some of the fights there and I also would, obviously, have the dream to one day be there. I remember going to some concerts there and I’ve seen Jay-Z there and to go to the arena and I’m like, wow, one day I’m going to be there and I’m going to be fighting here and now I get to do that and experience it this week, so I’m very excited for it.

It’s been a goal ever since I started, fighting title fights and were never allowed and never had the opportunity to fight at STAPLES. It’s what I wanted to do and now I get to do it, so that’s what’s making this that much more special.

Q
Robert, do you think that Mikey’s gotten the credit for what he’s done? Do you think he’s gotten the proper recognition so far?

R. Garcia
I think so, as of now, I think he does. Particularly people who know the talents and the skills that he has and he does get a lot of credit for what he’s accomplished.

Q
Robert, what do you think of the challenge that Easter presents for Mikey next week?

R. Garcia
Easter is a typical fighter. He does have a five-inch height advantage and eight-inch reach advantage, so that’s a big difference so I’m sure he’s training and getting ready to use that advantage. So we’re doing the opposite, we’re training to beat him to that and it’s just going to make a great fight and all the fans are going to enjoy a great fight, the boxing world and people watching on SHOWTIME are going to enjoy a hell of a fight.

Q
How do you look at Easter having Kevin Cunningham as his new trainer for this fight?

R. Garcia
Kevin is a great trainer, he’s one of the best in the business right now and I’m sure he’s doing a great job in training camp and I can’t wait to see what kind of game plan they move with because I know he’s really good at that and he always brings the best out of the fighters. So I am excited to be part of it and I’m excited for the challenge.

Q
How has it been for you working with a guy in your first fight with them?

R. Garcia
Well, look, sometimes depends on who the fighter is, you know? A lot of times, I don’t know if that’s the case with Cunningham and Robert but some fighters, sometimes they just need a new voice, they just need somebody to call the shots like we say. They get too comfortable with the trainers, they start calling the shots, they start saying when they want to train, who they want to train with and where they want to train. I think it’s definitely going to benefit Robert Easter Jr and if that’s the case with him, I know Cunningham is very strict with his work and does a great job.

Q
Mikey, how much of a difference do you expect to see in Easter now that he’s working with Kevin Cunningham in this fight?

M. Garcia
Sometimes it just takes another person, another voice, to get the fighter to use what he needs to do. I think he’s going to try to use his reach and height advantage. I think they’re going to try to use that most of the night but that’s part of the fight, that’s part of the game and I have to make those adjustments to overcome that and find other ways to get to him. I think he’s going to be very motivated and probably in the best shape ever; he knows what’s at stake, he knows it’s a huge fight. It’s the biggest fight of his career as well so I’m expecting the best Robert Easter Jr. ever.

Q
Mikey, how much do you expect him to be able to resist what you’ve mentioned earlier, that he gives away his height and his reach but because he’s so willing to get in there and fight, do you expect him to revert back to that or you expect him to be able to use his height and reach a little bit better then in this fight?

M. Garcia
I think he’s going to use this height and reach a little bit more. I think that somewhere down in the middle of fight, maybe, midway in the fight, if things start getting heated, he might start to exchange with me on occasions but I think that’s where the trainer will come in. Cunningham will come in and remind him to stay away and use the reach and height again. It’s just part of being a good trainer, a good coach and reminding your fighter to stay in your game plan but I think there’s going to be moments where we are going to get in exchanges because that’s just who he is as a fighter.

R. Schaefer
Excellent, thank you. Well we heard from Robert Easter Jr, we heard from Mikey Garcia, I think what’s very clear, even more so today after this call, that both are ready, both are motivated and both wants that other belt.

On Saturday, July 28, right here at STAPLES Center, we will see the biggest fight of the summer, one of the biggest fight of the year, the unification between Mikey Garcia versus Robert Easter so hope to see you all there. We’re going to have some exciting things planned for next week, as well.

On Wednesday we’re going to have some media workouts here in Los Angeles. On Thursday, it’s going to be the final press conference at the Congo Room in L.A. Live and then on Friday, of course, the weigh-in, at STAPLES Center and open to the public. Then on Saturday, at 3:00, the STAPLES Center doors will open for this fantastic 15 card fight-night in Los Angeles so make sure you tell all your writers this is truly the biggest card I can remember, maybe the biggest Los Angeles has ever seen with 15 fights and I’m so excited, can’t wait and see you all. Thank you.

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares 2 & Jermell Charlo vs. Austin Trout International Media Conference Call Transcript & Audio Recording

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares 2 & Jermell Charlo vs. Austin Trout

International Media Conference Call Transcript & Audio Recording

Click HERE for Audio Recording

Richard Schaefer

Thank you so much for being on today’s call. Very excited to have all the fighters here. We only have ten days to go until the big Saturday, June 9 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING World Championship double header which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions. Tickets are still available. They begin at $50 here at STAPLES Center. We had a tremendous demand already. The gross gate already exceeds what those two guys did the first time around, so I do expect a sell out at the STAPLES Center.

I want to introduce to you first, Chris DeBlasio, the Senior Vice President of Sports Communications from SHOWTIME. I think Chris wants to make a few opening comments. And of course, I like to always thank my good friend, Stephen Espinoza, for his commitment to the sport as well. Chris, do you want to say a few words?

Chris DeBlasio

Thanks, Richard and thank you to the fighters for your patience. We’re really excited for this particular fight card. First off, we’re excited to be back in Los Angeles. The fight crowd in Southern California is knowledgeable, excitable, usually star-studded as well. It always makes for a great experience in the arena and that translates onto television and that’s what we’re about, putting on exciting fight cards on our network.

STAPLES Center is a world-class venue. We’re thrilled to be back there. It’s been more than five years since we’ve had an event there. The bottom line is that SHOWTIME continues to lead the boxing industry. We’re delivering the largest slate of live events week after week and month after month. These are the most pivotal match-ups, the most competitive match-ups in boxing’s deepest divisions. It’s just a fact for literally SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event after event.

On Saturday June 9, we have two world title fights with four men ranked in the top 10 of their respective divisions. The main event features two guys that are top five ranked champions. The four fighters on this card have a few things in common. First off, they’ve been amongst the most prolific fighters on our network in the recent era. Between Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Jermell Charlo, and Austin Trout, they fought a combined 41 times on SHOWTIME. That includes a few SHOWTIME pay-per-view events. That’s a pretty remarkable number.

Our audience is familiar with their exciting style and their aggressiveness. Secondly — and I think it’s as important or more important really — these guys have consistently sought the top opposition fight after fight. That’s all four of them. Over the past three years, our network has delivered many 154-pound world title fights, many featuring Austin Trout and Jermell Charlo and Saturday will be our 10th.

We continue to see the best fighters fight the best opposition fight after fight and we’re seeing a move closer and closer towards identifying one, true champion, the one man to beat, at super welterweight. And that’s a really exciting prospect in a deep division like that. Likewise, for the main event on Saturday, SHOWTIME has had four high-stakes featherweight bouts on our network in just the past two months. That’s another division that’s long on talent and the stars of the sport are continuing to battle for the top spot fight after fight.

So again, I thank you for your patience and letting me drop that in there. I think it’s important. We’re thrilled at SHOWTIME to be able to put on fights like this with incredible athletes like the four men we have on Saturday. So, Richard, back to you.

R. Schaefer

Thank you Chris. Our main event is the rematch of one of 2015’s most exciting battles, the Featherweight World Championship between Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares. And finally, we are here again where those two all-action warriors will meet, not only for the bragging rights here in Los Angeles, but really, who is gonna be the king of the 126 pound weight class, one of the deepest weight classes in the sport.

The co-main event pits the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Jermell Charlo against the former world champion, Austin Trout. It’s a 12-round co-main event and with Charlo, we have certainly one of the most exciting fighters in the world today, not only with how he performs inside the ring, but his charisma and the way he carries himself outside of the ring as well. So, it’s really a special treat to have Jermell here in Los Angeles defending his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship.

He’s going to be facing Austin Trout, a fighter who certainly is one of the craftiest in the sport, has a record of 31 wins with only 4 loses. He is trained now by one of the best trainers in the sport, Barry Hunter. He has been a world champion, former WBA Super Welterweight World Champion. I know he wants to take this opportunity and become a world champion again.

We all remember how he turned back Miguel Cotto at the Madison Square Garden back in 2012 and he was also the last fighter to go the distance with Jermall Charlo, losing to him in May 2015. It’s a pleasure now to turn it over to Austin Trout to make a few opening comments and then open it up for questions. Austin?

Austin Trout

Yes, I’m happy to be here. I’m ready to get this going. Woken up from a nap and I’ve got training to go to. Let’s go.

R. Schaefer

Let me introduce to you the man, as I mentioned to you before, one of the toughest fighters in the sport, Jermell Charlo. He’s undefeated. He’s the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion. He has a tremendous personality and he’s just knocking out people. He is from Houston, Texas and trained by Derrick James in Dallas. He is now in Santa Monica this month to finish up camp. As a matter of fact, for those of you that are in around Los Angeles, make sure you stop by tomorrow for the open that media workout.

He won his world title with sensational knock-out of John Jackson in 2015. And of course, him and his twin brother, we all know them, became the first twins to hold world titles simultaneously in the same division in boxing which is boxing history in 2015. And it seems like every time he enters the ring, he outdoes his highlight reel knock-out over and over. And it’s a pleasure, it’s a treat, for all fight fans here and around Los Angeles and, those watching live on SHOWTIME to welcome Jermell Charlo to the STAPLES Center on June the 9th. Please, Jermell.

Jermell Charlo

Only thing I got to say is that Austin Trout is a phenomenal fighter. I’m pleased to be able to face off and square up with a former world champion and someone that has a heart, some one that comes with a dog mentality. We’re all looking to put on a 12-round fight for you guys and we both train our asses off in training camp. I’m ready to deliver whatever I have to deliver at the moment.

Austin, what made you change trainers to Barry Hunter and can you tell us how it’s been going in training camp so far?

A. Trout

Yes, I was with Barry like two years. And then when I stayed home for the next few fights against Jarrett Hurd and then Juan DeAngel, the results were not what I needed or wasn’t what I liked. So I went back to what was working and the only reason why I stopped going to Barry was for the Hurd fight because Hurd trained in the same area and that’s where I actually met Hurd was in Barry’s gym, so, I tried to stay home for that.

Which was a big mistake in my opinion. But things are going good, we’re training good. We’re back and we picked up where we left off and I have to be at my best for a fighter like Jermell, so I had to go get to a place where I was able to get to my best.

In the Hurd fight I felt like, I don’t wanna say issues, but I gassed out. It was really dehydration. But at the same time, I think we would have prepared for the heat that Hurd was going to bring, because Barry does know him. The mistake was that he makes you give your best and accept nothing less than your best. I was able not necessarily able to do what I wanted. So we came back to what was working.

Can you compare Hurd and Jermell maybe what they do differently and how they compare as fighters?

A. Trout

Jermell has a boatload more skills. In my opinion, Hurd’s not very skilled, he’s just a big, tough dude. And Jermell, he’s tough and he’s bigger than most junior middleweights, but he’s also skilled. So we gotta worry about definitely his skillset as opposed to just him taking punishment and making you wind out from beating him up, because that’s what happened with Hurd. I just beat him up until I ran out, till I couldn’t beat him up anymore.

I was just worn down. I had to go to the hospital for dehydration which I’ve never experienced. We were throwing some heat for those first six, seven rounds. And we bugged him a couple times and I felt like with just a little bit more and a little bit more each round until I had nothing left. And that’s when he came on.

Jermell, just wondering if you could tell us what you thought of Austin’s performance against Jarrett Hurd?

J. Charlo

Every fight is different. I never like to worry about what they do and what they did different. Fighter’s styles make fights. Like Trout emphasized on earlier, he got worn out and dehydration does that. With Barry, someone who trains you the way you would fight and the way which you would go through the ring, I just believe that, Hurd was a much bigger guy and I’ve never been in there with Trout before, so there’s nothing I can say about his fighting style and what he actually brings to the table.

Do you hope to beat Trout in a more convincing fashion or a more spectacular fashion than Jarrett Hurd did or do you not even think about that?

J. Charlo

I’m not in competition with those guys. Those guys are competition for me. Unfortunately, they just got the fight first before me. I don’t know what Trout going to bring out. So if he brings out the best in me, then who knows what the end result could be. I’m looking to go 12. I’m looking to fight all the way to the end. I’m in dog shape. I’ve been training for a long time and I do a pre-training. I do a pre-camp before I even get into camp and that’s while my brother was getting ready for his fight with Centeno.

I like myself the first day of camp in particular shape. So it’s all about sharpening my skills and doing what I got to do at my best. I’m growing. I’m turning 28 and I got to look at things a little bit differently. And I know Trout is a veteran himself and he knows what’s right and what fits him and what fits his body.

So it’s just almost like, nah, the only thing that’s on my mind is just getting there to see what this body does and what this mindset that I got now does and who knows the results of it. If it looks good, it’s better than Hurd or any other guys, as long as you all watching and you all kicking it with the Charlos and kicking it with Jermell Charlo, we on.

Jermell, your last two fights were contenders for KO of the Year. Can we expect anything of the same in this one?

J. Charlo

I’m going to do what I got to do like I just answered earlier. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Anything can happen. We both two men putting our life on the line. I don’t know how he views this, but I view it a little bit different. I take this as deep to me. I don’t care about the last fights or what I’ve done before, just like I didn’t know what was going to happen in the Lubin fight. I didn’t know what was going to happen in the Hatley fight.

We in there to go 12. We were in there to fight, be smart, and be cautious and take care of ourselves. So at the end of the day, I don’t care. I don’t know. I’m not with the ruthless. I’m not trying to go in there try to destroy and kill, because I know that’s a mistake that a lot of boxers make.

I grew up watching boxing all my life, and I know for a fact that if you go in there looking for the knockout, it doesn’t come. So therefore, I’m going in there to box, be slick and smart, and be strong at the same time and make it 12 rounds, 36 minutes.

Both Jarrett Hurd and Jaime Munguia, they seem to be heading for England. Where does that leave you as far as title unification goes?

J. Charlo

We could fight in South Africa, I don’t care. As long as they get their fight on and they do what they do, they make the money, they feed they family, we good. They know who the champ is, the know who really the champ is. They know who the guy to come to. They really want some competition and they want to fight, we study this boxing thing, we do this boxing thing. I’m up there, I be there almost every fight this year, if I could make it, I was there. If I was sitting ring side, I was there, you know what I’m saying? And I haven’t fought there so I’m anxious to be in there and I’m ready.

I don’t care about none of them other champions, they got the belts and what they got going on. A lot of these fights that they won was close. This new kid that came out that beat Sadam Ali. He’s nothing like the champions that are reigning now. Austin Trout will beat him and take his title.

However, I’m the best fighter at this weight division and I want to continue to be a champion. I got to continue to feed my family this way and I’m going to do it.

Do you want to outdo your brother against Trout?

J. Charlo

It’s always been something like that growing up, knowing I wanted to be the best. And my brother considers himself the best, I consider myself the best. He fought Trout and I never fought anyone my brother has ever fought since we’ve become elite fighters. I can’t go by what my brother thinks, he might think Trout is strong, I might think he’s not strong.

I don’t feel that my brother feels that the ring. The only thing I do is I feel the emotion that he has and that’s it. So what my brother done to Trout is back in the day. We’ve grown now in 2018. A lot of things are changing, even technology in the gloves is changing. So there’s no way I could say why my brother didn’t get him out of there or why Trout didn’t do the same or vice versa. I look at Trout like a world champion himself and I’m coming to take his title.

You’ve been sparring with Errol Spence for the last couple of years., Is it a coincidence that both your last opponent and Trout are southpaws as well?

J. Charlo

I sparred all kind of different south paws growing up and I believe that has a lot to do with why I’m able to handle it well. My poise in the ring and being comfortable and just being comfortable with what I do. We have 12 rounds to get this fight – to get this W. And I got to – whatever round I got to make adjustments, I will.

It’s just the name of the game and the thing that I got to go through in order to get to where I want. These guys are all diverse and if I ever have to face adversity, I’m ready for whatever it takes and I’m ready for whatever I got to do to continue the Charlo Show.

Austin do you see similarities between the Charlos fighting styles given that they’ve grown up working with each other through the years?

A. Trout

I mean, there’s some similarities, but nah, they two different people. Jermall, he’s a middleweight, but they have – they both have good jabs and a strong right hand. I think Mell has the better skillset he’s been a bit faster. The thing about Mell is I see he takes different approaches to different fights whereas Mall, he kind of comes about each fight the same way.

I watch the fight of me and Mall all week to see what I can do better. Not necessarily to compare in any way. That’s what we watch tape on Mell for.

Dan Rafael: So having watched the videos and preparing to fight Jermell and having gone 12 round with Jermall, do you have an opinion of who you think is better?

A. Trout

I can’t tell you, man. They both undefeated. I’ll tell you June 9 after I have to fight both of them I can tell you who’s the better fighter. I’m looking more so as to be a better Austin. So, be the best Austin Trout I can be in order to take on the best Jermell Charlo. We not fighting Jermall Charlo/ He’s got his own things that he’s dealing with/

That’s not something that I’m concerning myself with. I just got to be the best me in order to deal with the best Mell.

Do you feel like your career is a little bit on the line here?

A. Trout

Honestly, I felt that way when I was undefeated. Every fight my career was at stake. If I took a loss, I have to go back to the bottom. I feel like every fights my most important fight.

But I’m feeling good now. I’m looking forward to June 9. I have a feeling that we can steal the show. It’s going to be a great fight. I got this lion in his prime and I’m going in to tame the lion and become world champion again.

You’ve had one round in now what will be, like, 14 months. Any sense of rust?

J. Charlo

I’m rusty as shit, yes. I think I’m rusty as shit, hell yes. Man, I put my life on the line every time I spar. That’s why we spar with world champions. So if the world thinking, like, yes, this kid, he just got one spectacular knock-out, yes, yes, yes, yes. Man, I’ll shut that shit out the way I was supposed to, and I barely touched the kid on the chin and he went to sleep so that mean I must be doing something right in training.

I’m a clean fighter. I eat clean, I train clean. They test me, I’m clean. Everything is right. I’m not a mistake and everybody got a different favorite. I’m promised for something that a lot of different people aren’t promised. My work ethic and abilities are different, and I watch everything that’s going on in the weight division. So with that being said, I have a big fight in front of me.

Austin Trout was talking about coming to steal the show like he just said. He wants to win another world title. That’s enough for me to get on my bike and know that I got to grind this shit out all the way until June 10. So I’m not focused on anything that I did before. I got 12 rounds, 36 minutes to be am animal every time I step in that ring and I’m going to do what I got to do.

We can go to the 10th round and I promise you I will be the same way I am from the first round. If he beat me, that means he’s better than me and I’ve always known that.

How much longer do you think you can hold 154?

J. Charlo

I ain’t moving up. I’ll tell you all now. I’m making weight. I’m hydrated. Yes, I’m all the way good. Like, I’m right now, I’m waiting on the WBC to – I’m actually for me seven day weigh in and I’m going to surprise them with that. They actually for my 30-day weigh in and they were completely surprised from then. So I’m excited, I love this weight division, especially because I’m separated from my brother. I don’t want to be in the same weight division where it’s almost looking like who the better fighter? Who the better twin?

When it comes down to our careers and stuff, man, different oppositions make different fighters and I’ve always been in there with some of the best in the weight division. I’ve been in there with, to me, some top-tier guys, and so has Trout. You can’t take that away from him at all. He’s fought all of the top guys, everybody. This ain’t a rookie that I’m getting in the ring with. And so, my life is on the line just like his. So may the best win – may the best man win.

Have you had a chance to just kind of reflect on what it says about the career that you’ve had that despite the layoffs and the losses to the top guys in recent fights, that you continue to get big fights and big opportunities like this?

A. Trout

In a sense, yes, but for real? Nah, not really, because I got to look forward. The past is the past and I’m trying to rewrite my story with the career defining win. Beating Jermell Charlo will be career defining. It will be bigger to me than beating Cotto in the Garden, straight up. People will make excuses for that, but looking back, it’s cool and all, but I ain’t looking towards the past. I’m always looking to the future. And the future, it really is going through Jermell.

Are there pieces from other fighters that you’ve been in with that you can compare to him and what he does well?

A. Trout

All I can do is just learn the lessons that I need to learn from my past experiences and I’ve learned lessons from fighting Jermall. I’ve learned lessons fighting Hurd. And that’s just building to making a better me. Not necessarily then comparing to Jermell, because, again, he’s a separate man. He’s his own man and all I can focus on really is just being the best I can be.

Is Louie Burke still involved in this camp and can you talk about his role?

A. Trout

Yes, he’s involved. He came out to help be another set of eyes and he knows me. He’s been with me my whole career and even though I am with Barry Hunter, he’s the head coach, I still have him around to keep me grounded and humble. And he was out here for two weeks of this camp and when I was home we’re in the gym working.

We were on the phone and helps with the game plan and then him and Barry are on the same page with the game plan. Everybody’s on the same page and there’s a lot of unity in this camp. So it’s all good.

R. Schaefer

Yes. All right, now it’s a pleasure for me to introduce to you Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz. These are two guys which I’m very familiar with. I was fortunate to have promoted most of their fights since very early on in their career. In the case of Abner Mares, from his first fight when he came out of the Mexican Olympics. A lot of people leading up to this fight have asked me why did the rematch take that long? The first fight was in 2015. It was a Fight of the Year candidate, it was a toe to toe battle.

It’s sort of like the way those two guys fight. I don’t think Abner Mares or Leo Santa Cruz are capable even if they try and they try really hard to be in a boring fight. They’re there to entertain. They love to fight. And I think if somebody would ask me what is the perfect timing for the rematch, I would have to say it’s June 9, 2018.

Now why do I say that? Well, I think after the first fight, Abner Mares took some time off, he regrouped, he hired a new trainer with Robert Garcia, one of the best trainers in the world and I think Robert has instilled a lot of confidence in him. They mesh extremely well. (Robert) has come up with perfect game plans for Abner in his last two fights and the chemistry is just something which I really have seen very rarely in the sport.

I know as a fact, because I’ve been there with Abner Mares — that he is maybe the best Abner Mares we have seen. Maybe the best Abner Mares ever going back to the time when he was fighting in the super bantamweight tournament on SHOWTIME as well.

With Leo Santa Cruz, last week was the open media day here in Los Angeles, and what I came away with is I was very impressed. I was of course impressed with Leo Santa Cruz. He looked spectacular. He looked fast. He looked strong. But what I was made even more so impressed with his father.

As we all know, his father suffered cancer; wasn’t really much of a factor in Leo’s last few camps and that clearly weighed on Leo’s shoulders. And now to see Leo’s father in full strength, making comments, “I defeated, I KO’d cancer.” You can just see how that weight has been lifted off Leo’s shoulders.

So I have no doubt that we will see the best Leo Santa Cruz we have seen in many years, and we will see the absolute best Abner Mares. I think the timing is perfect for June the 9th for those two guys meeting each other again at the famous STAPLES Center which always brings out the best in the fighters.

It’s a pleasure now for me to introduce to you first Abner Mares; doesn’t need much of an introduction. We all know a 2004 Mexican Olympian, pound-for-pound, one of the best and most exciting fighters in the world, born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and now fighting out of Los Angeles with a record of 32 wins, two losses. He is a multi-division world champion; always fighting the best, from 118 to 126 pounds. It’s a pleasure for me to turn it over now to Abner Mares to make some opening comments.

Abner Mares

Thank you, Richard, for the introduction. Thank you to the media. Thank you to all you guys.

I am on my way home from a hard work day and I am ready for June 9. I cannot wait. It’s only less than two weeks, almost a week. And I’m just looking forward to another spectacular night where it would be the best, maybe another one for the books. Thank you.

R. Schaefer

The other man is the world champion, Leo Santa Cruz with the record of 34 wins and one loss and one draw. As I mentioned before, he’s the one who throws punches in bunches. He is in spectacular shape. He is a multi-division world champion as well; 118, 122 and 126 pounds. In a stellar victory over Carl Frampton where he regained the featherweight world title.

I think, given the fact that his father feels so much better, I think, I can see a different Leo Santa Cruz. And it’s a pleasure for me now to introduce to you as well, my friend, Leo Santa Cruz.

Leo Santa Cruz

Thank you, Richard, for the introduction. And thank you for the media and thank you for everyone who’s in here.

I’m ready for June 9. I know Mares is going to come with his best but he looks really good. He’s a great guy, great person. And he was the best, one of the best fighters out there. The best fights the best. It’s a guaranteed great fight on June 9. We’ll give a great fight for our fans and we’re ready to just go out there and entertain the fans.

Does your experience with that Frampton rematch give you confidence going into this rematch with Abner Mares?

L. Santa Cruz

I’m confident in every fight. I’m not going to go in there with the mindset that, “Oh no I’m going to lose”. I live by my confidence and my training. I train really hard. I give 100% in my training. And now with my dad in my corner, he’s been a lot better, I’ve been able to focus more in my training and everything.

I know Abner is a great fighter. He’s been training really hard. He’s at his best. He’s got a new trainer. So he’s going to come by his best, I know that so far. I like that when they give their best, it makes me work even harder and bring out my best too.

I’m confident in my training, what I’m doing, doing everything good. And June 9 we’ll see how it goes and hopefully my fight is still great and everything we worked in the gym and give a great fight.

Have you seen any weakness in Leo that gives you more confidence going into this rematch?

A. Mares

I don’t look at tapes, to be honest. I let my coach do that. Obviously I do remember that fight because I did watch it. I was there live. And I mean all I could say from that fight is that you go in looking for certain things and I’ve seen what I need to execute and we’re going to put them to work come June 9.

It’s going to be a great fight, close fight. We’re both in our prime, in our moment like we were in the first fight. And I’m just ready to execute the perfect plan that we have.

Leo what did you feel in your spirit, in your body, in your mind, was there anything missing that night you lost to Frampton as compared to your victory over Frampton in January of last year?

L. Santa Cruz

Yes, you know, I think it was more I wanted to see my dad. In the first fight against Carl Frampton, my dad wasn’t really with me, he was mostly in the clinic or in the hospital. He had surgery. He has that experience to tell me what type of fight to fight in. So I think that was the missing key right there.

Then for the rematch my dad was mostly there in the gym. He told me what kind of fight to fight in. What punches to throw and stuff like that. And so I think it was my dad. My dad was the difference in that fight.

I wonder because you’re fighting him in a rematch and you did get that victory in that fight, is there any part of you that says to yourself, “You know what, I beat this guy.” And it’s a little bit harder maybe to motivate yourself?

L. Santa Cruz

I’m more motivated. Like I said, I don’t want to underestimate Abner Mares. I know Mares is at his best. He’s in his prime. He looked a lot better now. And I am a lot better than the first fight so it makes me train even harder/ I have learned a lot too.

So I think you’re going to see a better fight because Mares is going to give his best. He looked the best he had looked. And I’m more motivated. I don’t want to underestimate him.

It’s going to be a hard fight but we have done everything in the gym to get the victory. We have to work hard and we have worked on things that we have seen that worked on him and that’s what we’re going to do. But I know it’s going to be a hard fight and it’s going to tough, but we’re going to go out there and do our best.

What is it that makes you say that you believe that Abner is better now than he was when you fought him three years ago?

L Santa Cruz

He looks good. He fights differently. He has Robert Garcia as his trainer. Robert Garcia is a great trainer; very smart and driven. He knows how to send a fighter to fight. I have seen him and you could see in his training that he is working really hard and everything. But we like that. We like that because he’s going to come in his best and we’re going to give a better fight.

Do you view Robert as that big of a difference and one of the reasons you believe that he is better today than he was three years ago?

L. Santa Cruz

Yes. I know Robert. Robert is a great trainer and I know he might make a difference. But I also have learned a lot. I got a lot of experience over these few years. And whatever he has learned, I have learned too. And I think it’s going to come down to who wants it the most and I think it’s going to be a great fight/

Do you think about a unification fight after this fight, if you’re successful or do you think about maybe moving up in weight?

L Santa Cruz

I want a unification. Hopefully because of the win, I would like to unify with any other champion. There’s Josh Warrington, Gary Russell, Oscar Valdez and even a third fight against Carl Frampton.

So if the fight is going to make it, I’ll be right there. But for any reason or anything that we can’t make those unifications or any other fights, yes, I would like to move up to 130 and look for another title for 130. But mostly I want to make a fight against another one of the champions.

Does the Gary Russell Jr fight interest you more than any other at featherweight after this fight is successful?

L. Santa Cruz

Yes, it is. I fought Gary in an amateur. We both went to the finals. He beat me but I’m a lot better now. Hopefully it does happen and I can say that I could beat him.

Do you go in there trying to pick up where you left off and thinking like round 13 against Santa Cruz?

A. Mares

I’m not going to focus on the first fight. It happened already. That’s in the past. It was a great fight and now we’re moving forward. I think Leo brought up a good point, a really awesome point I think that we’re both better fighters now. I’ve grown as a fighter. I’ve learned so much with Robert and with the two Frampton fights he has too. I think he’s grown as an athlete.

So I think now you’re going to get in to some better fights because we just learned so much and then grown in boxing that we’re just going to give it to this fight. But at the end of the day I think where we’re both improved as fighters. We just like to please the crowd.

Are we going to see fight number three after you win this one?

A. Mares

If the fight is that good, again, there’s no other way than to give them the rematch as he gave me a rematch. We like to fight the best and if it wasn’t clear enough, we would do it again and if not, we’ll move forward and take whatever champion is out there.

I think that everybody is a champion. Everybody is good. And just looking forward to June 9 to prove me once again that I am an elite fighter.

Can you tell us where your dad is at in his recovery?

L. Santa Cruz

Thank you very much for asking for my dad. Right now my dad, he is in complete remission. His cancer is zero right now. So anything that he has is like he has back pain, like he’s always like feeling nauseous, he’s feeling sick, he’s throwing up. But even though, it doesn’t stop him to keep going to the gym every day. He’s right there observing me, telling me what to do in the gym and everything. He’s been there every day.

I’m glad to have him in there. And every time I do good in the gym and I do what he wants, it makes him happy and he forgets about all the pain and everything he’s feeling. So again thank you for that and, yes, my dad is, he’s in complete remission and he’s feeling a lot better than before.

How much of a weight was that lifted off of you just to know that your dad was going to be okay moving forward?

L. Santa Cruz

I think my dad is the most important thing right now. And knowing that he has cancer and everything and before I really couldn’t concentrate in my training because I was thinking about if he’s going to be with me in the camp or if he’s going to be with me in the fight or if he’s going to wake up today or tomorrow.

But right now I’ve been dedicated to my gym. I’ve been focused in the gym. Now I can focus and I could relax and I don’t have to worry about dad. I haven’t really been thinking about that. I’m just been thinking about training and then going out there and giving a great fight.

My last fight he was there. He missed a couple of days but he was mostly almost every day in the camp.

Abner what do you think that was like for Leo to go through as a son?

A. Mares

I know he’s going through a hard time and I respect him as an individual, as a person, a father, it’s just tough what they’re going through. And I’m always wishing them the best. And God be with them.

Will it be harder to stay disciplined when you’re facing each other because you guys are both Mexican and want to go at it?

A. Mares

I think it is going to be difficult because the atmosphere, the first was intense. It’s going to be double that. And it’s going to be super hard. So again that’s why we keep addressing that the fight is going to turn out to be a fan-fest type of fight because I just know we both compete like that.

L. Santa Cruz

Yes, I know, it’s tough because we’re going to be fighting on our home town. We’re both from here. Abner Mares is a great guy but I have to beat him. We have to fight for our family and we have to live for our future.

At the end of the day, whoever wins, I thank God and I hope that we both come out clean. We just want to go out there and give a great fight.

What kind of improvements have you seen from Mares?

L. Santa Cruz

Mares has more speed. He has thrown more punches. He has better defense and everything. He has improved. He improved a lot since our first fight. But also I have improved. I have learned. I have experienced a lot. And I had a lot of life experiences.

So I think we’re both going to be on our best. We will both going to go out there and give everything in the ring. And we were going to go out there and give a great fight for the fans and that’s I think what the fans love and we’re just happy to entertain the fans and give them a great show.

Can you tell us what your game plan is against Abner Mares?

L. Santa Cruz

Well my game plan for this is to be smart. I’m going to be a smart fighter. When the first bell rings, I’m going to go out there and see what type of fight Mares brings and it depends on the fight he brings, we’re going to adjust.

My dad he could tell me to box, he could tell me to brawl. We think we’re going to fight different fight. It depends on Mares how he comes to fight, that’s how we’re going to fight. But we’re going to be smart, bigger shots, intelligent and on June 9 when the first bell rings, that’s when we’re going to know how to fight him.

What kind of adjustments are you – have you been making for this rematch? And is it a question of a balance between boxing and brawling?

A. Mares

I’m making every single adjustment I can that is in my power and that I can do physically. As an athlete, we started from the training methods, to everything. We just have to change it all. People ask me, Abner, are you going to fight differently this fight? “Yes, if I don’t fight this one, then I’m going to get a defeat.” So I think that’s the best way to answer them.

Abner, looking back on that first fight, how do you evaluate that strategy that you had and what did you learn from that experience for this fight?

A. Mares

I learned a lot in that fight. Going in that very first round, I got ahead of myself. I got just anxious. I honestly and I’ve been saying it pretty loud, I’ve been open about it. I just wanted to win this fight so bad all I thought about was tearing his head off.

It just got a little confusing there in the corner with directions. But nevertheless, it was a great fight. I think I fought a lot more with heart and desire than technique in that fight.

In that first fight there was enormous amount of punches thrown. Are we going to expect to see something like that?

L. Santa Cruz

Well I think we could expect maybe not as much punches but almost the same punches, because we have learned, right there I throw a lot of punches and I miss a lot. But this time we’re going to try to throw more selective punches that more punches that land.

So whatever I throw, we want to make sure that they land. We don’t want to throw just to throw. So I think we’re going to be smarter and select our punches and just make them count. Make our punches count and we’re still going to throw a lot of punches, be active and Mares is at his best, I’ll be at my best. It’s going to be a great fight and we’ll both going to go and throw a lot of punches. You guys are going to see back and forth fireworks.

Would you like to make a prediction, Leo, for the fight?

L. Santa Cruz

I’m most confident. You never know what’s going to happen. Mares is a great fighter and we’ll see what happens on June 9. We’re going to go out there and look for the victory.

We’ve been training for 12 rounds. If we go 12 rounds, we’re ready for the 12 rounds. If the opportunity comes, we’re going to go for a knockout. But I’ll be happy to come out with a victory.

Abner, would you like to make a prediction also?

Abner Mares

My prediction is June 9, hell of a fight. Thank you so much.

R. Schaefer

Well I can echo that from Abner and from Leo, it’s going to be an amazing night here at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. It’s going to be a loaded card as well. One of the most talked about blue chip Olympians from the Rio Olympics, Karlos Balderas from Santa Maria is going to be on the card as well.

So make sure fight fans come early to STPLES Center on June the 9th. As little as $50 you’re going to see these two world championship fights. I have no doubt that both of those fights are going to deliver and over deliver.

These guys are in their best shape I have ever seen them. Both want it and it’s going to come down to may the better man win on June the 9th.

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