By Geoffrey Ciani (Interviewed by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani), Eastside Boxing
This week’s 114th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio featured an exclusive interview with boxing trainer Freddie Roach, who is currently preparing the Pound-for-Pound King Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) for a May 2 showdown against ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs). Roach spoke about that upcoming fight, and also talked about several other fighters he is working with including Amir Khan, Julio Cesar Chavez Junior, Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quilling and Vanes Martirosyan. Here is a what Freddie had to say:
On how he feels about Manny Pacquiao’s upcoming matchup against Sugar Shane Mosley:
“We’re getting ready for the fight. We got to expect Shane to be at his best and we’ll get ready for him, that’s for sure. But we won’t underestimate him.”
On whether he is at all concerned that Pacquiao could be taking Mosley lightly given the fact most observers expect Pacquiao to win:
“No, Manny’s not that type of person. He won’t underestimate anybody. If he was going to fight you he would train hard so we don’t have that problem.”
On what he expects from Mosley considering his lopsided loss to Floyd Mayweather and his draw with Sergio Mora:
“I think he’ll get up for this fight. It’s really hard to get up for Sergio Mora but it’s easy to get up for Manny Pacquiao. A win over Pacquiao will change his life. It would make everything bad that happened in his life go away. So he has nothing to lose in this fight and I expect the beginning of the fight to be crucial because he’s very strong and he’s a great puncher.”
On whether he views this as a high risk/low reward risky fight with Mosley:
“Well Shane’s always came through. The thing is with Mayweather there is no shame in losing to him. He’s probably one of the best fighters in the world. He’s a good boxer and he made some adjustments and nullified Shane’s advantage. With Mora, he’s kind of a runner and he’s a hard guy to fight. Manny Pacquiao is a guy that’s going to fight you, so it’s all about styles. It looks like a good fight to me but the thing is I think the first four rounds are crucial and it’s something we really have to be ready for is a quick start from Shane.”
His views on the fact Pacquiao was hit more often against Antonio Margarito than we are accustomed to seeing:
“Well he’s a bigger and stronger guy. He was a guy who could impose his will on Manny and I don’t think he got hit any more than he did in other fights. He got hit with a couple of body shots that hurt him by a big strong guy, but overall Manny Pacquiao’s defense has been getting a little bit better but it’s not his strongest suit. It never has been because when you go for it you become more susceptible to be hit back, and Manny Pacquiao goes for it.”
On whether he feels Manny Pacquiao will be more comfortable returning to the welterweight limit of 147 pounds:
“You know, going into the ring for the Margarito fight he weighed 147 and he’ll weigh 147 going into the ring for this fight. That’s his best fighting weight. It’s his ideal fighting weight. For his last six fights he’s weighed the same so it’s perfect for Manny.”
His views on Amir Khan’s upcoming title defense against Paul McCloskey:
“Well McCloskey is an awkward southpaw. He’s unorthodox and he’s undefeated of course, but I think Amir should be too much for him and he’s really never fought that caliber before. I think Amir should overwhelm him.”
On how he feels about a rumored unification match between Khan and Timothy Bradley sometime this summer:
“Well you know it looks good on paper but the thing is will it happen. Who knows? With different promoters, hopefully that fight comes. I actually think they need to build that fight up a little bit. I think maybe they need more exposure so I don’t know why you would rush into that fight.”
On how important his boxing career was for paving the way to becoming a world class trainer:
“It’s helped me a lot of course, and my mentor Eddie Futch helped me a lot. I worked as Eddie’s assistant for five years and he taught me some of the finer points of the game.”
On whether he is at all concerned that Mosley represents the fastest big man Pacquiao has ever faced:
“Well speed and power go together and he has one-punch knockout power. We just can’t take him lightly and think we’re going to walk right through him because that’s not going to happen. Shane’s again, an experienced fighter and he’ll get up for this fight. If we didn’t expect Shane to be at his best we’d be fools.”
On whether he hopes that Pacquiao is more apt to box against Mosley given the fact people who box and move like Mayweather and Mora had given Mosley so many problems:
“Yeah, well that’s part of our game plan to box more and work on the head movement more. You know Shane has a really good right hand and if Manny gets hit by anything it’s usually the right hand. I think we got our work cut out for us, but we’ll get it done.”
On his experiences working with Julio Cesar Chavez Junior:
“Well Chavez is great when he’s in the gym and he gives me 100%. He has a great work ethic but you know what? You can’t be sharp by fighting every fourteen months. There is no way you can fight once a year and be sharp. So I think he needs more activity to show his true skills because he does understand the art of boxing, and he’s very knowledgeable, and he’s trying to get better. I don’t think he’ll ever be his Dad but that’s a tall order. He’s a good kid and he works hard when he’s with me, but you can’t have layoffs of fourteen months in between fights and expect to look sharp.”
On some of the other fighters he is currently working with who are not under the big spotlight like Pacquiao and Khan:
“Well you know I got Vanes Martirosyan getting ready for a fight. Vanes is looking for a title shot this year. I got Jamie Kavanagh who just won his fifth pro fight. I got Lateef Kayode who just won his sixteenth fight now with fourteen knockouts. He’s a good cruiserweight prospect. ‘Kid Chocolate’ is coming along well. He’s won and had two knockouts since he’s been out here with me in LA. I got Rashad Holloway. I am trying to get him back on track after he lost his last fight. Overall I have a big stable and everyone is doing well. It just keeps me busy and if I can make something better I will. I just finished training Georges St. Pierre on Sunday and he’s getting better and better all of the time and his hands have really improved. Again, I love what I do.”
His views on the fact that Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin is making better use of his jab and throwing better combinations more frequently:
“You know because he has that big right hand he was always looking for that right hand. So we’re just working on setting it up better with the jab and the hook, and he’s starting to understand that better. He’s getting great sparring here with my new fighters. Him and Danny Jacobs go at it pretty good. I got Jacobs fighting on the 5th of March, on my birthday actually. So Danny Jacobs is part of my crew also. So it’s great middleweight sparring. Craig McEwan is getting ready to fight Andy Lee in a big, big fight. They have a history. Andy Lee beat him in the amateurs, but I think Craig can come on in the pros enough to beat him this time but it’s not an easy fight by any means.”
His views on the fight between Saul Alvarez and Matthew Hatton being for the vacant WBC 154 pound title:
“You know I’m really surprised they made that a title shot. I mean the caliber of fighters that they’ve faced is not world class and I’m very, very shocked that they made that a title fight. I think it’s embarrassing to boxing because he hasn’t proven himself, Hatton. His brother has. We know who he is. They’re just giving Saul Alvarez a title. Hopefully he’ll defend it against Vanes Martirosyan and Vanes will destroy him!”
His views on the return of James Kirkland:
“Well you know it’s hard to say after having a long layoff. It’s his first fight back. We can’t expect too much out of the kid, but he’s a very talented guy and he seems like a hard worker and Kirkland can punch, so he’s dangerous.”
His views on Amir Khan’s recent split with strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza:
“With Amir, Amir felt that he wanted to move on so he’s working with one of my assistant coaches who’s been here in the gym for about a year now and he’s doing a good job. Alex I paid. I paid him for the last fight just like I always do for every fight, and Amir just tried to move on with a new coach.”
On how much longer he expects Pacquiao to continue boxing:
“Well, with his work ethic he could go on for a couple of more years if he wanted to. It would be up to him. He hasn’t lost that desire to train hard. He actually works harder now than he ever did, so he can go on for a couple of more years as long as he keeps that work ethic going. I do feel that politics will eventually pull him away from boxing some day, but when I’m not sure.”
On how he expects the match between Pacquiao and Mosley to play out:
“Well you know I’m not a fortune teller of course, but I will have my guy ready and we’ll have a great game plan. I’ve been studying Mosley tapes. I know Shane very well. Again, the way watch the tapes we go over his best fights and his worst fights and we’ll come up with a perfect game plan and we’ll take care of business.”
On what he expects from boxing in the year 2011:
“It sounds like a good year. The thing is we need the best fighting the best and we need guys like Mayweather to sign contracts and not talk so much and get in the ring and fight. So I think it should be a good year and I do feel that fight will happen sometime this year. I’m a fan just like everyone else in the world and I would love to see that fight as a fan and as a trainer.”
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Thursday 3 March 2011
MATTHEW HATTON A NO-HOPER SAYS KID ALVAREZ -- Daily Express
By Niall Hickman, Daily Express
The unbeaten Alvarez, 20, is widely regarded as the best young talent in world boxing and has vowed to knock out Matthew Hatton in double quick time in Los Angeles.
![no hoper [Explicit]](http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002XKSH64&tag=boxnewwor-20)
“I will not only beat Matthew Hatton but I will also make it look good,” said Alvarez. “He is a complete no-hoper – I cannot lose. I know his strengths and his weaknesses and I will expose them.
Alvarez can back up the brash talk with statistics as he has sparked out 26 of those 36 opponents – a staggering ratio bearing in mind he does not turn 21 years of age until July.
Hatton is hoping to join his brother Ricky in becoming a world champion, but he has been set a near-impossible task as the clash was originally made at the 10st welterweight limit.
Hatton, who has spent his career at welterweight, could have pulled out when it was changed to light-middleweight with the WBC title on the line, but instead he has decided to go for broke.
Three years ago Hatton, 29, looked washed up when losing to Craig Watson, but a change of trainer to Bob Shannon has done wonders for his technique and Hatton believes he will be returning home with the belt.
“I wouldn’t be going there if I didn’t think I was going to win,” said Hatton. “I have to go to the lion’s den and do the business. I know it won’t be easy but this was too good an opportunity to turn down. I had to take it.”
Source: express.co.uk
MATTHEW HATTON has been dismissed by Saul Alvarez as a “complete no-hoper
” as they prepare to do battle this Saturday for the WBC light-middleweight title made vacant by Manny Pacquiao.
” as they prepare to do battle this Saturday for the WBC light-middleweight title made vacant by Manny Pacquiao.The unbeaten Alvarez, 20, is widely regarded as the best young talent in world boxing and has vowed to knock out Matthew Hatton in double quick time in Los Angeles.
“I will not only beat Matthew Hatton but I will also make it look good,” said Alvarez. “He is a complete no-hoper – I cannot lose. I know his strengths and his weaknesses and I will expose them.“He says I am inexperienced, but I have had 36 fights and that is enough experience. I have been unbeaten in all of them and I will remain unbeaten after winning my first world title by a knockout.”
Alvarez can back up the brash talk with statistics as he has sparked out 26 of those 36 opponents – a staggering ratio bearing in mind he does not turn 21 years of age until July.
Hatton is hoping to join his brother Ricky in becoming a world champion, but he has been set a near-impossible task as the clash was originally made at the 10st welterweight limit.
Hatton, who has spent his career at welterweight, could have pulled out when it was changed to light-middleweight with the WBC title on the line, but instead he has decided to go for broke.
Three years ago Hatton, 29, looked washed up when losing to Craig Watson, but a change of trainer to Bob Shannon has done wonders for his technique and Hatton believes he will be returning home with the belt.
“I wouldn’t be going there if I didn’t think I was going to win,” said Hatton. “I have to go to the lion’s den and do the business. I know it won’t be easy but this was too good an opportunity to turn down. I had to take it.”
Source: express.co.uk
Exclusive “Sugar” Shane Mosley Interview on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights
Boxing News World
ESPN Friday Night Fights studio host Brian Kenny sat down with Shane Mosley recently to discuss his career and upcoming fight with Manny Pacquiao.
"No one is giving Shane a chance in this fight. I understand why, but I also know I counted him out against Cotto, and Margarito,” said Kenny. “The Cotto fight ended with Mosley moving forward and winning rounds, and the Margarito fight ended with Margarito getting stopped. I'm not counting Shane out."
The interview will air during ESPN’s Friday Night Fights March 4 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2. For more details on the fight, visit http://es.pn/gUCxIF .
Media Contact: Stephen McDonald (860) 766-0523; stephen.mcdonald@espn.com
"No one is giving Shane a chance in this fight. I understand why, but I also know I counted him out against Cotto, and Margarito,” said Kenny. “The Cotto fight ended with Mosley moving forward and winning rounds, and the Margarito fight ended with Margarito getting stopped. I'm not counting Shane out."
The interview will air during ESPN’s Friday Night Fights March 4 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2. For more details on the fight, visit http://es.pn/gUCxIF .
Media Contact: Stephen McDonald (860) 766-0523; stephen.mcdonald@espn.com
Nonito Donaire likely to fight May 28 -- ESPN
By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
Fresh off a massive second-round knockout of Fernando Montiel on Feb. 19, new unified bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire is primed for a quick ring return.
Donaire is expected to return on May 28 in an HBO main event, likely in a unification fight against Anselmo Moreno, Cameron Dunkin, Donaire's manager, told ESPN.com.
Dunkin said he has been talking about the deal with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in recent days.
Arum wants to put the fight on in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Donaire, a native of the Philippines, moved to when he came to the United States when he was 10.
"Bob said Moreno would be the opponent and I'm fine with it. Bob said he can get Moreno, that that is not an issue," Dunkin said. "Moreno is a really good boxer, a good fighter, but I like Nonito."
Dunkin said he and Arum still need to work out the specific financial terms, but that Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) is excited to return to action so quickly after knocking out Montiel to win his two belts last month at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. It was a star-making victory that propelled Donaire, a former flyweight titleholder, into the top five on most pound-for-pound lists.
"When I talked to Nonito about what Bob said he had a big smile on his face and said, 'Let's go.' He just really wants to fight. He really does."
Moreno (30-1-1, 10 KOs), a 25-year-old southpaw from Panama, has defended his belt seven times. He won his title by outpointing Wladimir Sidorenko in May 2008 and also won a split decision against Sidorenko in a rematch. Donaire blew Sidorenko out in four rounds in December.
For the HBO-televised opener, plans are in the works to match Philadelphia welterweight Mike Jones against Quebec's Antonin Decarie (25-1, 7 KOs).
"That's the plan," said Russell Peltz, who co-promotes Jones with Top Rank. "[Decarie] is a tough guy, but that's not a fight you turn down. We're talking to his people and both sides are interested in the fight."
Jones (24-0, 18 KOs) won a clear unanimous decision against Jesus Soto Karass on the Donaire-Montiel undercard. The fight was a rematch of Jones' close decision against Soto Karass on Nov. 13 on the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito undercard.
Decarie is coming off a lopsided decision win against Shamone Alvarez on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" on Feb. 11.
Dan Rafael covers boxing for ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
Fresh off a massive second-round knockout of Fernando Montiel on Feb. 19, new unified bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire is primed for a quick ring return.
Donaire is expected to return on May 28 in an HBO main event, likely in a unification fight against Anselmo Moreno, Cameron Dunkin, Donaire's manager, told ESPN.com.
Dunkin said he has been talking about the deal with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in recent days.
Arum wants to put the fight on in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Donaire, a native of the Philippines, moved to when he came to the United States when he was 10.
"Bob said Moreno would be the opponent and I'm fine with it. Bob said he can get Moreno, that that is not an issue," Dunkin said. "Moreno is a really good boxer, a good fighter, but I like Nonito."
Dunkin said he and Arum still need to work out the specific financial terms, but that Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) is excited to return to action so quickly after knocking out Montiel to win his two belts last month at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. It was a star-making victory that propelled Donaire, a former flyweight titleholder, into the top five on most pound-for-pound lists.
"When I talked to Nonito about what Bob said he had a big smile on his face and said, 'Let's go.' He just really wants to fight. He really does."
Moreno (30-1-1, 10 KOs), a 25-year-old southpaw from Panama, has defended his belt seven times. He won his title by outpointing Wladimir Sidorenko in May 2008 and also won a split decision against Sidorenko in a rematch. Donaire blew Sidorenko out in four rounds in December.
For the HBO-televised opener, plans are in the works to match Philadelphia welterweight Mike Jones against Quebec's Antonin Decarie (25-1, 7 KOs).
"That's the plan," said Russell Peltz, who co-promotes Jones with Top Rank. "[Decarie] is a tough guy, but that's not a fight you turn down. We're talking to his people and both sides are interested in the fight."
Jones (24-0, 18 KOs) won a clear unanimous decision against Jesus Soto Karass on the Donaire-Montiel undercard. The fight was a rematch of Jones' close decision against Soto Karass on Nov. 13 on the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito undercard.
Decarie is coming off a lopsided decision win against Shamone Alvarez on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" on Feb. 11.
Dan Rafael covers boxing for ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
De la Hoya predicts Pacquiao, Mayweather fight -- Toronto Sun
By REUTERS
LOS ANGELES -- Plans for a mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have so far come to naught but boxing great Oscar De La Hoya believes the blockbuster long desired by fans will eventually take place.
Eight-times world champion Pacquiao and Mayweather, who has never lost a professional bout, are the two biggest draws in the sport and a showdown between the two would decide the mythical title of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter.
Mayweather had been expected to meet Filipino southpaw Pacquiao early last year until negotiations collapsed over the American’s demand for random drug testing. Both fighters ended up taking on different opponents.
“I believe that fight will take place,” De La Hoya told Reuters in a telephone interview. “I believe Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao understand that it has to take place.
“They are the best fighters out there and I feel they both really want this fight to happen. When the time comes, people will enjoy a tremendous fight because styles make fights.”
De La Hoya, who held world titles in six different weight classes, predicted that a clash between the aggressive Pacquiao and defensive genius Mayweather would emulate the great battles between Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in the 1980s.
Asked to predict the victor should the bout take place, De La Hoya replied: “I see Floyd Mayweather winning and I say that not only as an ex-fighter and a promoter but as a student of the game.
“I really love dissecting styles, studying styles and Mayweather has a style to beat anybody. He calculates his punches and his timing. When he is ready to punch with power, he always connects in the right place.
“There is a lot of thinking behind the strategy of winning a fight and Mayweather has to be the best at that.”
De La Hoya, a gold medal winner at the 1992 Olympics, announced his retirement from boxing in April 2009, four months after being stunned by Pacquiao in an eighth-round TKO in a non-title fight in Las Vegas.
He ended his career with a record of 39-6, including 30 knockouts, and has since spent most of his time working as a boxing promoter while continuing to raise money through his various charitable initiatives.
BOXING REGRETS
Asked if he had any regrets from his boxing career, De La Hoya replied: “I wouldn’t change anything with my career or my life. Everything always happens for a reason.
“But if there was one fight that I could really change it would have to be the last three rounds when I boxed Felix Trinidad in 1999. For me, that was the biggest fight in non-heavyweight history at the time.
“And that fight was fairly easy for me but over the last three rounds I lost the fight. So if I could change anything from my career, it would have to be those last three rounds.”
De La Hoya, a keen amateur golfer, said he still missed the thrill of competing in the ring.
“Competitive boxing has been my life,” he added. “I started boxing when I was four so it’s difficult to cope with the whole retirement thing and not putting on the gloves for the rest of my life.
“But I will tell you one thing. When I get out on that golf course and I make a birdie or I hit a beautiful shot, that adrenaline rush that I get really does make up for any left hook that I can throw inside that ring.”
While speaking to Reuters, De La Hoya announced the move by his Golden Boy Promotions company to link up as a business partner with the Mexican tequila brand, Tres Generaciones.
“I come from a third generation of fighters because my grandfather and my father also fought. My family are consumers of tequila so ... it was just a natural fit.”
Source: torontosun.com
LOS ANGELES -- Plans for a mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have so far come to naught but boxing great Oscar De La Hoya believes the blockbuster long desired by fans will eventually take place.
Eight-times world champion Pacquiao and Mayweather, who has never lost a professional bout, are the two biggest draws in the sport and a showdown between the two would decide the mythical title of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter.
Mayweather had been expected to meet Filipino southpaw Pacquiao early last year until negotiations collapsed over the American’s demand for random drug testing. Both fighters ended up taking on different opponents.
“I believe that fight will take place,” De La Hoya told Reuters in a telephone interview. “I believe Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao understand that it has to take place.
“They are the best fighters out there and I feel they both really want this fight to happen. When the time comes, people will enjoy a tremendous fight because styles make fights.”
De La Hoya, who held world titles in six different weight classes, predicted that a clash between the aggressive Pacquiao and defensive genius Mayweather would emulate the great battles between Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in the 1980s.
Asked to predict the victor should the bout take place, De La Hoya replied: “I see Floyd Mayweather winning and I say that not only as an ex-fighter and a promoter but as a student of the game.
“I really love dissecting styles, studying styles and Mayweather has a style to beat anybody. He calculates his punches and his timing. When he is ready to punch with power, he always connects in the right place.
“There is a lot of thinking behind the strategy of winning a fight and Mayweather has to be the best at that.”
De La Hoya, a gold medal winner at the 1992 Olympics, announced his retirement from boxing in April 2009, four months after being stunned by Pacquiao in an eighth-round TKO in a non-title fight in Las Vegas.
He ended his career with a record of 39-6, including 30 knockouts, and has since spent most of his time working as a boxing promoter while continuing to raise money through his various charitable initiatives.
BOXING REGRETS
Asked if he had any regrets from his boxing career, De La Hoya replied: “I wouldn’t change anything with my career or my life. Everything always happens for a reason.
“But if there was one fight that I could really change it would have to be the last three rounds when I boxed Felix Trinidad in 1999. For me, that was the biggest fight in non-heavyweight history at the time.
“And that fight was fairly easy for me but over the last three rounds I lost the fight. So if I could change anything from my career, it would have to be those last three rounds.”
De La Hoya, a keen amateur golfer, said he still missed the thrill of competing in the ring.
“Competitive boxing has been my life,” he added. “I started boxing when I was four so it’s difficult to cope with the whole retirement thing and not putting on the gloves for the rest of my life.
“But I will tell you one thing. When I get out on that golf course and I make a birdie or I hit a beautiful shot, that adrenaline rush that I get really does make up for any left hook that I can throw inside that ring.”
While speaking to Reuters, De La Hoya announced the move by his Golden Boy Promotions company to link up as a business partner with the Mexican tequila brand, Tres Generaciones.
“I come from a third generation of fighters because my grandfather and my father also fought. My family are consumers of tequila so ... it was just a natural fit.”
Source: torontosun.com
Hatton has extra motivation vs. Alvarez -- ESPN
By Diego Morilla, ESPNdeportes.com
Saturday night's fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., not only features two rising stars hoping to grab one of the titles left vacant by Manny Pacquiao, but also highlights a defining moment in the career of one of boxing's most promising prospects: Saul Alvarez, the freckle-faced Mexican bomber with the matinee idol looks. Meanwhile, Matthew Hatton -- a tough contender with a blue-collar work ethic and a style to match -- will try to capture his own portion of the spotlight, once occupied by his older brother and former champion Ricky Hatton. Here's what Hatton had to say about this crucial fight in his career.
What can you say about your training for this fight?
I trained not too far from my home in Manchester, England. My trainer, Bob Shannon, he has a gym in Audenshaw, in Manchester. And also my brother Ricky has a fitness facility in Hyde, so I used both gyms. I've been in training for eight weeks for this fight. I am a fighter that really enjoys training. I am lucky not to have a job outside of the ring. I think it is a fighter's job to be in good shape throughout the year. The camp was fantastic, and when the fight was made for the world title, I got a little extra motivation, so I pushed myself like never before. I am in great shape and I look forward to the fight. I am very confident.
You have said this is the fight you were waiting for. Why?
I said this because the fight was mentioned to me a couple of times before. Before Saul fought Lovemore N'Dou last December, the fight was offered to me. But I was contracted to defend my European title at the time, so that's why I didn't take the fight then. When I couldn't take the fight, I asked them to bear me in mind for the future, to get back to me for his next fight, and that's what Golden Boy has done. So I knew this fight would come along sooner or later.
Do you feel the pressure of being in the ring against one of the most-watched prospects in boxing right now?
Not really. I feel as if Saul is the one with all the pressure on [him]. There is a lot of pressure surrounding him, a lot of great things are expected of him, and he is fighting at home, so a lot of people are making him the favorite. I feel he is the fighter with the pressure on his shoulders. This is a fight I go into with everything to gain and nothing to lose. A lot of people are making Saul a strong favorite, but that's not the way I see it. It's a fight I go into full of confidence, so I don't feel any pressure at all. It is obviously a challenge to me, fighting for the WBC title, which is a great honor for me, so I am really excited about it.
What is the most powerful weapon in Alvarez's arsenal?
I think Saul is a very good all-around fighter. He can box, he can fight, he is an intelligent fighter. And, obviously, he has power too. He has a high knockout percentage, so he is a very good all-around fighter, but like every fighter, he has weaknesses too. I know it is a tough fight. Naturally, he is slightly the bigger guy, also. But I am going into this fight 100 percent confident -- there is no doubt in my mind that I will be victorious in this fight, definitely.
Your lack of mobility falls right into Alvarez's style of fighting. Do you see it that way, or do you feel his style suits your own style a bit more?
Saul can box, but he prefers to mix it up, and so do I. I think it's going to be an entertaining fight. I like to stand there and mix it up. I can box and move, and be quite mobile, and I think he likes the same as me, so this is going to make for a fun fight, really.
How important is it for you to leave your own mark and escape your brother's shadow?
Obviously, being his brother, people will make comparisons. But it's never been my ambition to emulate other fighters. Ricky has been a fantastic fighter and a world champion. The only time I have been really disappointed in myself is when I haven't performed to the best of my ability early in my career. The only thing that concerns me is boxing as well as I can perform, and over the last two years I have been really improving, and I just want to be the best I can be and become a world champion.
Would you consider staying at 154 pounds if you win, or do you plan to drop back to 147?
I have fought almost my entire career as a welterweight, and I am a big welterweight. So even before this fight was sanctioned for the WBC title, I had already agreed to take a step up in weight. This fight is made at 10 stone 10 [150 pounds], so it's not a massive jump from the welterweight division. Strength is not something I worry about when I go into fights, because I am a strong fighter. I will see how this fight goes, but the preparation has felt great. I will see how I perform ... and then see what opportunities come my way and take it from there.
You have been a brawler more than a boxer throughout your career. Is there anything new that we're going to see from you in this fight?
I just feel as if, like you said, no fighter is perfect. And my intention every time I set foot not only in the ring but in the gym, as well, is to improve and refine my skills, to get better and better. I am not working on anything in particular because my training has been better than ever for this fight. Like I said, I have a new trainer and I am putting a lot of effort in the gym with him, and we're working on new things in the gym all the time, so I feel I will be better all around.
How do you envision the fight playing out on Saturday night?
I know every fighter says this, but I really think it will be a great fight. Two hungry fighters who both like to come forward. I am not an unrealistic guy; I am not going to say that I am going in there and I am going to blow him away in one or two rounds. But I don't see that being the case for him, also. I think that it will be a difficult fight for both him and myself. I think it will be a close, hard-fought fight. I am a very well-conditioned and determined fighter, and I think this fight comes at the best time for me. I am in the best form in my career so far, and I can see only one winner and that's myself, to be honest.
Diego Morilla is a contributor to ESPNdeportes.com.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
Saturday night's fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., not only features two rising stars hoping to grab one of the titles left vacant by Manny Pacquiao, but also highlights a defining moment in the career of one of boxing's most promising prospects: Saul Alvarez, the freckle-faced Mexican bomber with the matinee idol looks. Meanwhile, Matthew Hatton -- a tough contender with a blue-collar work ethic and a style to match -- will try to capture his own portion of the spotlight, once occupied by his older brother and former champion Ricky Hatton. Here's what Hatton had to say about this crucial fight in his career.
What can you say about your training for this fight?
I trained not too far from my home in Manchester, England. My trainer, Bob Shannon, he has a gym in Audenshaw, in Manchester. And also my brother Ricky has a fitness facility in Hyde, so I used both gyms. I've been in training for eight weeks for this fight. I am a fighter that really enjoys training. I am lucky not to have a job outside of the ring. I think it is a fighter's job to be in good shape throughout the year. The camp was fantastic, and when the fight was made for the world title, I got a little extra motivation, so I pushed myself like never before. I am in great shape and I look forward to the fight. I am very confident.
You have said this is the fight you were waiting for. Why?
I said this because the fight was mentioned to me a couple of times before. Before Saul fought Lovemore N'Dou last December, the fight was offered to me. But I was contracted to defend my European title at the time, so that's why I didn't take the fight then. When I couldn't take the fight, I asked them to bear me in mind for the future, to get back to me for his next fight, and that's what Golden Boy has done. So I knew this fight would come along sooner or later.
Do you feel the pressure of being in the ring against one of the most-watched prospects in boxing right now?
Not really. I feel as if Saul is the one with all the pressure on [him]. There is a lot of pressure surrounding him, a lot of great things are expected of him, and he is fighting at home, so a lot of people are making him the favorite. I feel he is the fighter with the pressure on his shoulders. This is a fight I go into with everything to gain and nothing to lose. A lot of people are making Saul a strong favorite, but that's not the way I see it. It's a fight I go into full of confidence, so I don't feel any pressure at all. It is obviously a challenge to me, fighting for the WBC title, which is a great honor for me, so I am really excited about it.
What is the most powerful weapon in Alvarez's arsenal?
I think Saul is a very good all-around fighter. He can box, he can fight, he is an intelligent fighter. And, obviously, he has power too. He has a high knockout percentage, so he is a very good all-around fighter, but like every fighter, he has weaknesses too. I know it is a tough fight. Naturally, he is slightly the bigger guy, also. But I am going into this fight 100 percent confident -- there is no doubt in my mind that I will be victorious in this fight, definitely.
Your lack of mobility falls right into Alvarez's style of fighting. Do you see it that way, or do you feel his style suits your own style a bit more?
Saul can box, but he prefers to mix it up, and so do I. I think it's going to be an entertaining fight. I like to stand there and mix it up. I can box and move, and be quite mobile, and I think he likes the same as me, so this is going to make for a fun fight, really.
How important is it for you to leave your own mark and escape your brother's shadow?
Obviously, being his brother, people will make comparisons. But it's never been my ambition to emulate other fighters. Ricky has been a fantastic fighter and a world champion. The only time I have been really disappointed in myself is when I haven't performed to the best of my ability early in my career. The only thing that concerns me is boxing as well as I can perform, and over the last two years I have been really improving, and I just want to be the best I can be and become a world champion.
Would you consider staying at 154 pounds if you win, or do you plan to drop back to 147?
I have fought almost my entire career as a welterweight, and I am a big welterweight. So even before this fight was sanctioned for the WBC title, I had already agreed to take a step up in weight. This fight is made at 10 stone 10 [150 pounds], so it's not a massive jump from the welterweight division. Strength is not something I worry about when I go into fights, because I am a strong fighter. I will see how this fight goes, but the preparation has felt great. I will see how I perform ... and then see what opportunities come my way and take it from there.
You have been a brawler more than a boxer throughout your career. Is there anything new that we're going to see from you in this fight?
I just feel as if, like you said, no fighter is perfect. And my intention every time I set foot not only in the ring but in the gym, as well, is to improve and refine my skills, to get better and better. I am not working on anything in particular because my training has been better than ever for this fight. Like I said, I have a new trainer and I am putting a lot of effort in the gym with him, and we're working on new things in the gym all the time, so I feel I will be better all around.
How do you envision the fight playing out on Saturday night?
I know every fighter says this, but I really think it will be a great fight. Two hungry fighters who both like to come forward. I am not an unrealistic guy; I am not going to say that I am going in there and I am going to blow him away in one or two rounds. But I don't see that being the case for him, also. I think that it will be a difficult fight for both him and myself. I think it will be a close, hard-fought fight. I am a very well-conditioned and determined fighter, and I think this fight comes at the best time for me. I am in the best form in my career so far, and I can see only one winner and that's myself, to be honest.
Diego Morilla is a contributor to ESPNdeportes.com.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
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