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Canelo vs. Berlanga Fight Press Conference Recap

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Canelo vs Berlanga Undercard press conference

Before the fighters entered the ring on Saturday night, the Canelo vs. Berlanga fight saw them come face to face at their final press conference.

The event comes ahead of Canelo Promotions’ presentation of a Mexican Independence Day extravaganza headlined by Mexican non-weight superstar Canelo Álvarez taking on undefeated title challenger Edgar Berlanga in a headline event on PBC Pay-Per-View, available on Prime Video, this Saturday, September 14, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The press conference was attended by reigning WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and two-division world champion Danny “Swift” García, who will meet in a star-studded co-main event, a fight that will feature two of the most talented boxers of this era, who have joined forces to face a staggering 21 world champions ahead of this fight.

Also taking part in Thursday’s press conference were former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and undefeated contender Trevor McCumby, who will face off for the WBA interim super middleweight title, and former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and heavy-hitting Manuel Jaimes, who will square off in the first pay-per-view fight.

Also at the press conference were former unified super bantamweight world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and all-time contender Carlos Castro, who headline a three-fight PBC on Prime Video card beginning at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT leading up to the pay-per-view. The live broadcast will be available for free to all fans regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

Rounding out the PBC on Prime Video lineup, as well as Thursday’s press conference, were welterweight contenders Roiman Villa and Mexican Ricardo Salas, as well as undefeated prospect Jonathan Lopez, who faced Richard Medina in a super featherweight bout.

In addition to being able to purchase PPV on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase PPV through DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase PPV on PPV.com. In addition to these options, fans will still be able to access the broadcast via customary cable and satellite channels.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now at AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with Matchroom Boxing.

Here’s what the players had to say on Thursday in an interview with MGM Grand:

ERISLANDY LARA

“Motivation comes straightforward to me because I only think about my family and everyone I fight for. That makes me want to get up and work demanding every day.

“Danny is a great fighter and a champion in the lower weight classes, but middleweight is a completely different beast. We have to see if he can adapt to this different weight class.

“I don’t know if he can handle the force of my punches. We’ll find out on Saturday. I’m focused on being mentally and physically ready to do whatever it takes to win.

“I’m not really worried about the weight or height advantage, I’m just focused on getting in there and doing my best.

“We will continue to defend this title and look for the biggest and best fights.”

DANNY GARCIA

“It’s been a tough training camp and now it’s time to get in there and get the belt. The demanding work has been done and now we’re ready to get in there on Saturday night.

“For me, I feel like I’m already a Hall of Famer, but I think winning this belt is the cherry on top. Winning three divisions is a legacy thing, not many fighters do that. I’m striving for greatness.

“Lara has been here a long time, as have I, and we are two battle-hardened warriors. I know what I’m up against and I’ve prepared for it. I’m here to show the world that I’m a better man.

“It means the world to me to have my father on my side. Anyone can coach you, but the spiritual bond with your coach can take you to another level. That’s what gives us a special bond. When no one else believed, we believed.

“People have tried to tell me I’m too diminutive my whole career. I was naturally a huge guy who cut weight. For me, I’m naturally a middleweight. That’s my weight and I’m comfortable at it. If you don’t believe me, you’ll have to watch it.

“It never gets ancient, but I definitely remember being here 11 years ago fighting Lucas Matthysse at Mayweather vs. Canelo and people saying I was going to steal the show then too. It’s just another day of demanding work for me.”

CALEB’S PLANT

“Trevor knows for himself that I’m not a bum, and that’s why he wants to fight me. He wants to be on the huge stage, and that means he has to face a real fighter. Now he’s looking at a real fighter. He’s only fought bums, but he’s not fighting a bum now.

“We’ll see what he brings on Saturday. He’s unbeaten and wants to stay unbeaten. So he’ll come motivated.

“Family means the world to me. It means a lot to have my whole family in the gym with me. Having a team like that makes the whole process so much better.

“I know a lot of people say that, but this is the best camp I’ve had and the toughest I’ve ever boxed. I’ve been busy, I’ve looked acute and we’ll see what he can do against this.

“I’m going to put this belt around my waist on Saturday night. I’m not going to miss it. Whatever happens after that, we’ll be ready.”

TREVOR MCCUMBY

“We are ready to fight. It is very motivating to be on the card with all these great fighters and I am grateful to be here with them at this great event.

“There’s no bad blood on my side, I’m just ready to fight. There’s going to be certain things said at these press conferences, and I think Caleb has to make his opponent a villain when he goes in there. I don’t really let that get to my head. I go in there to take care of business.

“What happened gave us a little motivation. Caleb is emotional and lets people get into his head too easily.

“On Saturday you’ll see what I can do in the ring. There’s no hostility in me, but I’m going for his heart.

“The win is huge because Caleb is a last name. We’re trying to get through each other and it makes it a match made in heaven. I don’t know how it’s going to work out for him, but you’ve got to tune in because he’s going to steal the show.”

ROLANDO ROMERO

“I’m elated to be back on the huge stage. It’s just another fight and another opponent for me.

“Every fight is essential and I will not ignore him. Saturday is going to be a great night and I intend to deliver the best moments. Rolly is back.

“I’m definitely going for the knockout. I’m not taking it lightly at all, I’m just ready.”

MANUEL JAIMES

“I’m really excited to be here and on this card with all these great fighters. I’ve had a really tough training camp and I’m coming in to win on Saturday.

“This is the most essential moment of my career. There is nothing bigger than this stage. We had a great training camp and I am ready to win on Saturday.

“Rolly is a really good fighter and he’s been up there with the best. But I’m newborn and hungry and I’ll outwork him on Saturday.

“We had the best sparring in the world in Robert Garcia’s camp preparing for this fight. Rolly has lost before and he will lose again.”

STEPHEN FULTON JR

“It’s good to be back. I’m excited to be back. I can’t wait to get in there and show what I can do. I can’t wait. I’m definitely coming for the knockout on Saturday.

“I had the best training camp for this fight. I didn’t skip a single day. I just took it day by day. I feel like I’m in a great place and I’m ready to step into the ring.

“I feel like it was the right opponent for me because he’s a top contender. But I would fight the champion if he was available and willing, so after that Castro was just another fighter.

“I’ve really missed being in the ring. I’m not worried about any negativity from anyone. People will always have something to say. I’ll just keep doing my thing and doing whatever I have to do.

“I’m here to express myself and come back. This is my comeback. Whoever has the belt at 126, I’m ready.”

CARLOS CASTRO

“This is something I’ve been waiting for. I’ve had two losses, but these are the fights I want. I’m not going to shy away from anyone because I’m in this sport to prove myself.

“I was there with the best and that’s what I’m doing again. Those experiences prepared me mentally for what I have to do.

“I take my hat off to Fulton and what he’s done in the sport, but Saturday night is a completely different story. He’s going to have a great fighter in front of him.

“Being in these types of fights gives me extra motivation. Especially against a fighter like that. I’m ready to show everyone my best.”

VILLA ROIMAN

“I am so grateful to my entire team for making this fight possible. I can’t wait to get in the ring on Saturday night.

“But I had a great high-altitude training camp. I did everything I had to do and I’m ready for this win. It ends with a knockout.”

RICARDO SALAS

“I’m really excited about this fight. I dedicate this fight to my family and I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do on Saturday.

“I’ve been focused on preparing as demanding as I can for this fight because I want to put on a great show for the fans and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

“I think we’re both ready for hand-to-hand combat. That’s exactly what I like. I can’t wait because the fans are really going to love it.”

JONATHAN LOPEZ

“I’m super elated to be on this card and showcase my skills and talent. This is a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait for Saturday.

“I’m just ready to be in the moment. But I’m just treating it like another day at the office. I’m ready to show my talent on Saturday night.

“I was there with some guys with a lot of experience. I just tell myself I have to dominate every fight, and that’s what I come here to do.”

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Andrew Moloney is confident that if given the chance, he would have beaten Phumelele Cafu and Kosei Tanaka

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2 days ago

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October 16, 2024

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Andrew Moloney (left) attacks Pedro Guevara – photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Few people were more disappointed than Andrew Moloney when Kosei Tanaka lost his WBO super flyweight belt to Phumelele Cafu at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Monday night.

The 33-year-old Australian veteran was hoping to get a shot at beating Tanaka in the lucrative Japanese market.

Those dreams were dashed when South Africa’s Cafu delivered the performance of his life, knocking out Tanaka in the fifth round and finishing the fight strongly, beating the four-weight world champion by split decision.

“The plan was to target the WBO and really chase the Tanaka fight, but it all fell apart on Monday night,” Moloney (26-4-1NC, 16 KO) told The Ring. “I think the WBO is probably still the direction we go, but I’m not sure if they have a rematch clause or if Tanaka will take it. But after watching the fight yesterday, I would be really confident that I could fight one of these guys and win. We would like to follow this path.

“I would love to fight Tanaka in Japan as a four-division world champion. He’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to and wanted to fight for a long time.

“Last night was a little hard to watch. The way he performed, I’m more confident than ever that I have what it takes to beat Tanaka.

I assume there will be a rematch and I hope that Tanaka will regain the belt and I will be able to return to the ring and climb the rankings, and maybe this fight will still happen.

Tanaka entered Moloney’s orbit four years ago when he debuted at 115 pounds. Earlier this year, it looked like they were also on a collision course, with Moloney being number one in the WBO rankings. However, when an offer was made for the vacant IBF lightweight title fight between Vasily Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. in May in Perth, Western Australia, Moloney felt he couldn’t turn her down.

This decision ended in disaster. Moloney faced Carlos Cuadras, who withdrew from the fight with a ruptured Achilles tendon and was replaced by Pedro Guevara. Moloney entered the fight with a torn bicep and was largely reduced to boxing with one hand, which circumscribed his punching power.

Still, Moloney felt he did more than enough to win, and was shocked when Guevara was declared the winner by split decision. He was so disappointed that he announced immediately after the fight that he was leaving the ring, but a few days later he withdrew these comments.

It was a breakthrough moment in his career.

“Looking back, it’s a wonderful thing, but watching the Tanaka-Cafu fight made me think that maybe I would do a lot of things if I could turn back time a little bit,” Moloney explained.

“Before my last fight, I was number one in the WBO rankings and I rejected the option of waiting to fight Tanaka. But the opportunity arose to fight Guevara in Australia for the interim WBC title on a major card, and to be candid, I kind of regretted that the Tanaka fight was hanging in the balance, but ultimately we decided to stay busy and take the opportunity to fight in Australia.

“Also, the injury before the fight was another thing I thought about: will I undergo surgery, keep the top spot and wait for Tanaka, but I made the decision to go ahead with the fight with Guevara. Looking back now, maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing to do. And looking at the way Tanaka fought last night, I thought maybe I should have waited. I’m sure I could beat Tanaka and take the belt away from him.

“So I take some consolation, but unfortunately you can’t turn back time.”

It’s been a frustrating year for Moloney, but he’s still hitting the gym and his team is working to get him another fight. The window of opportunity to box again this year is closing quickly, but he still hopes to return to the ring in December, most likely in his native Australia.

“I really hope so,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been working on. I have been training strenuous at the gym for some time, quite a few months. I hope to return before the end of the year.

“At this stage it will probably be December. I’m trying to block something, but so far no luck. I’m still training away as if the fight was to take place in December, the team is currently working on it and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll be able to finish it.

“I just hope we can get out before the end of the year, get back into the winner’s circle and start climbing the rankings again.”

Moloney, who fought at bantamweight for the first three years of his professional career before dropping down to super flyweight, surprisingly, said he would even consider moving up to another weight class given the right opportunity.

“It’s a tough time in the super flyweight division,” said Moloney, the eighth challenger to The Ring’s 115-pound title. “There’s a lot going on and it’s always strenuous to plan which route to take because everything changes so quickly. I’d pick Bam Rodriguez to beat Guevara, then there’s talk of a rematch between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez on Up-to-date Year’s Eve. And then there’s talk of Bama, if they win, fighting the winner of that game in unification. The WBO seems to me the fastest way to win the title, so that’s the path we will follow.

“We have also rejected for some time the idea of ​​moving up to flyweight and getting crack there. There’s also some engaging scene going on there right now, but it’s still uncertain. I’d probably feel a little better at super flyweight, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens with Cafu and Tanaka, but like I said, I’d feel comfortable and confident against either of them, so hopefully he can make it it will happen sooner rather than later.”

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Doubts that fuel 19-year-old Benjamin Johnson

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2 days ago

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October 16, 2024

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Despite an impressive amateur resume, welterweight Benjamin Johnson of Springdale, Maryland, enters the professional ring with a shoulder injury.

Johnson will face Kevin Pantoja in a four-round fight at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland, promoted by his trainer Lamont Roach Snr’s NoXcuses Promotions. The fight will be broadcast on Saturday on ProBox TV.

Johnson, 1-0 (1 KO), spent just 2:23 in the ring in his professional debut, displaying the quick, aggressive hands that won him multiple national titles. However, 19-year-old Johnson feels an advantage, believing he is being overlooked by his NoXcuses Boxing Gym teammates.

Pantoja, 1-1, 27, has never stopped being a professional – Johnson aims to change that.

“People underestimate me,” Johnson said. “It’s been like that since I was an amateur.”

He added that this underestimation increases his motivation in the gym. Johnson is determined to prove his worth not only to himself, but also to those who doubt him or, worse, don’t recognize him. “I never felt like I was recognized as that guy, so I feel like I’m underappreciated,” Johnson said of his amateur and now professional career.

Johnson sees the fight as a key step in his career, compared to feared forward David Benavidez by some teammates and touted by others as one of the most ready-to-fight prospects in the country.

“I train as much as I can,” Johnson said. “It’s about making a statement. The way you win shows people what you’re capable of, and I’m ready to show my best.

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Benavidez Sr. wants Artur Beterbiev after David Morrell

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2 days ago

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October 16, 2024

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Image: Benavidez Sr. Wants Artur Beterbiev After David Morrell

David Benavidez’s father, Jose Benavidez Sr., says he wants undisputed lightweight heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev if he can defeat “regular” WBA champion David Morrell in a Jan. 25 fight.

Jose Senior believes Beterbiew would be a good fight for Benavidez (29-0, 24 KO). He would also like his son to have Dmitry Bivol because it would give him a chance to beat someone who beat Canelo Alvarez in 2022.

Jose Sr. is still bitter that Canelo chose not to fight Benavidez all these years, and recently mentioned a $200 million asking price to fight him. If Bivol loses the rematch with Beterbiev, it is not worth fighting him.

Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KO) will be the guy Benavidez fights if he defeats Bivol in a rematch in 2025. The second fight is still not confirmed, but it is likely.

Benavidez’s worst nightmare would be if Beterbiev lost his rematch with Bivol and then the two fighters met in a trilogy fight. Benavidez will have to wait until the third fight between these fighters takes place before he can claim the belts.

“David’s next fight will be David Morrell. Everyone is very excited about it. We tried to make this fight for three years, but I think David Morrell needed a little more experience to show the world that he deserves this fight,” said Jose Benavidez Sr. Probox TV David Benavidez’s next fight with Cuban David Morrell will take place on January 25.

Of course, Team Benavidez hasn’t tried challenging to fight Morrell over the last three years because they’ve been the ones ignoring him. If they wanted a fight with Morrell, it would have happened a long time ago.

They waited until now, after Morrell’s unimpressive performance against Radivoje Kalajdzic on August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, before deciding they wanted to fight him.

“David called him and said, ‘Hey, I want to do this fight. Let’s make it happen. It was done right away. I’m very excited to fight a newborn talent, a sturdy fighter, and I think it’s going to be a tough fight,” said Jose Senior on how the fight with Morrell ultimately came about.

I hope we get a chance to fight Beterbiev. He won only on Saturday. Hopefully we can achieve that, but right now our focus is on David Morrell. We have to look impressive to get to the next level,” Benavidez Sr. said.

If Benavidez loses to Morrell, Jose Sr. will have to decide which direction to take his son. Will he move it back to 168 pounds or stay at 175, hoping to win one of the belts after Beterbiev’s vacation?

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