Below are what the fighters and their teams had to say at today’s fan fiesta and Q & A session in Los Angeles:
CANELO ÁLVAREZ, Former Two-Division World Champion: “This is a brand new weight for me, but my team and I are going to work hard to get prepared and do everything necessary to win on May 6th.
“The rivalry has always been there between Julio César Chávez, Jr. and I, but obviously during this tour there were a lot of things said behind the cameras that made it even more intense. We’re going to work really hard to give everyone a great fight.
“You haven’t seen the best of me. Every fight I keep getting better, and I hope this one brings out the best in me.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again–Julio César Chávez, Sr. is one of the best, if not the best fighter in history. I grew up watching him and learned a lot from him, but that won’t have any influence when I fight his son.
“Every fight I have in front of me is a very important fight, and this fight is no different to my legacy.
“We are here now, and I’m very excited and happy to give the fans a great fight from this rivalry.”
JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ, JR., Former WBC World Middleweight Champion:
“I’m very focused on this fight because it is a great opportunity for my career. I feel great to be involved in this event and show the world I can beat anybody.
“This fight is special and has motivated me to train hard. On May 6, I will be 100 percent.
“My father’s name will always be with me for what he accomplished in the ring, but when I fight Canelo on May 6
th, you can expect a guaranteed war.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
“I see the excitement from the fans all over for this fight. The reason we chose this fight is because boxing needs it and the fans will see a great fight. Canelo is a warrior and Chávez, Jr. is a warrior. All eyes are going to be on Canelo and Chávez, Jr. on Cinco de Mayo weekend and Mexican boxing will once again be on top.
“This is a totally new fight for Canelo. He is always in great shape and is a disciplined fighter, but he has never faced Chávez, Jr. This fight has the ingredients to be a war. I call it a civil war because both fighters are Mexican.
JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ, SR., Former WBC World Middleweight Champion:
“I want to thank everyone who is here, and tell everyone that this fight is for you. Everyone will see a grand, grand fight–and the one who will win is the one with the bigger cajones!
“This fight means a lot, especially for Julio. We all know what Canelo represents in the world of boxing today. We expect a very difficult fight. Canelo has always been the stronger fighter inside the ring, but this time we things are going to be a lot different because he’s fighting at a new weight. We don’t know how he will look.”
EDDY REYNOSO, Head Trainer for Canelo Álvarez:
“It’s very easy to get heated during press conferences, but when Canelo steps in the ring, he is one of the coldest fighters with the hottest heart, and come fight night, you will see that.”
JOSE “CHEPO” REYNOSO, Manager and Co-Trainer for Canelo Álvarez:
“I think that at this new weight, Canelo is going to come in even stronger and faster, and in great condition. That’s what we’re going to work for, and on May 6th when he wins this fight–we will all yell together, ‘Viva Mexico!’
Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,250, $1000, $800, $600, $400, $300, $200, $125 and $75, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,250, $1000, $800, $600, $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $125 and $75 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.
Canelo vs. Chávez, Jr. is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD, Adriana’s Insurance and Interjet. The event will take place on Saturday, May 6 at T-Mobile Arena and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Canelo vs Chavez Jr. quotes for Houston international tour
Two-division world champion Canelo Álvarez (48-1-1, 34 KOs) and former WBC World Middleweight Champion Julio César Chávez, Jr. (50-2-1, 32 KOs) today hosted a press conference in Houston, the third stop on their four-city press tour. Thousands of Texas fans came out to Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, to see and cheer for their favorite Mexican fighters. With fan hysteria and swelling crowds, fire marshals shut down the fan entrance leaving hundreds still outside waiting to get in to catch a glimpse of Canelo and Chávez, Jr.
Canelo and Chávez, Jr. will meet on Cinco de Mayo weekend, Saturday, May 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Below are what the fighters and their teams had to say at today’s press conference in Houston:
CANELO ÁLVAREZ, Former Two-Division World Champion:
“Every time I come to Texas, you give me so much love and support. Thank you for welcoming me. I will train hard and prepare 100 percent. On May 6, T-Mobile Arena will be full and all of us together can claim the victory and proclaim together, ‘Viva Mexico’!”
JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ, JR., Former WBC World Middleweight Champion:
“I’m proud to be in Texas again. I love boxing, and I love Texas. I’m undefeated here in Texas. I promise all the Mexican fans that on May 6 I will win this fight.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
“To the fans–we always love coming to Houston and thank you for your tremendous support. There are thousands of you here today that are lined up, some as early as 5:00 a.m., to see your favorite fighters. Canelo and Chávez, Jr. do this for the fans. This fight is for the fans.
“Canelo vs. Chávez, Jr. is, by far and away, the biggest boxing event of 2017, and we are expecting a knockdown, drag-out brawl between two of the most skilled, aggressive fighters in the sport. Tickets went on sale Monday, and are going incredibly fast. I hear we are almost sold out. There are less than 1,000 tickets available for Canelo-Chávez, Jr.
“On May 6 we have two great Mexican warriors; people from all over the world will watch this guaranteed war.”
EDDY REYNOSO, Head Trainer for Canelo Álvarez:
“I want to thank everyone for being here. On May 6, we will have the champion ready. It’s very honorable to have two Mexicans fighting on a special Mexican day. On May 6, we will be ready to raise Canelo’s hand in victory.”
JOSE “CHEPO” REYNOSO, Manager and Co-Trainer for Canelo Álvarez:
“To be here and see all this support from you in Houston is beautiful. On May 6, it’s going to be all about honor. Lets stop with all the back and forth and let’s make Mexico rise and together we will scream, ‘Viva Mexico!'”
GUADALUPE VALENCIA, Representative of Julio César Chávez, Jr.:
“We are so happy to be here in the great state of Texas. This fight is about pride. This fight is abut legacy. And this fight most importantly is about the fans. These fighters wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you, the fans. This is a big fight between two Mexican warriors, but this is also a fight for the world. Everyone will be proud of boxing after this fight.
“Join us in Vegas or watch on Pay-Per-View. This will not be a fight with two guys walking around, trying to figure each other out. This is going to be a fight with non-stop action so don’t blink your eyes. For all you Canelo fans–Houston we have a problem. Viva Chávez, Jr.!”
Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,250, $1000, $800, $600, $400, $300, $200, $125 and $75, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,250, $1000, $800, $600, $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $125 and $75 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.
Canelo vs. Chávez, Jr. is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD, Adriana’s Insurance and Interjet. The event will take place on Saturday, May 6 at T-Mobile Arena and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
