(Photo Credit: Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions) LAS VEGAS (May 3, 2016) -WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) and British top fighter and former two-time former world champion Amir “King” Khan (31-3, 19 KOs)made their grand arrivals today at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas ahead of their middleweight championship showdown on May 7 at the new T-Mobile Arena, which will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
They were joined by undercard fighters David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) and Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) who will meet in a 10-round middleweight co-main event; Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs) and East Los Angeles’ undefeated star Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (20-0, 13 KOs) who will face off in a 10-round welterweight fight; and Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) and Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) who will open up the Pay-Per-View telecast in a 10-round career-defining middleweight bout. They were also joined by Jason “El Animal” Quigley and Diego De La Hoya, who will fight in respective middleweight and super bantamweight bouts on the non-televised undercard.
Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s grand arrivals:
CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion:
“There is a difference between wanting and doing. On Saturday night, we will see who will give who a boxing lesson. I want to thank all of my fans for the support. I am very honored to be celebrating on Cinco de Mayo, and I hope to put on a great show on Saturday night. I’m training hard for twelve rounds, I’m ready to go all of those rounds, and if the knockout presents itself-I’m ready to take it.”
AMIR KHAN, Former Two-Time World Champion:
“All the hard work and training has been done. I have a great team, and I am conditioned and ready to fight and represent my country of England. Mentally, I have prepared by praying, being with my beautiful family, and the support from my fans. Even though Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday, we are going to see a lot of British flags come Saturday night. This is a huge fight, as Canelo is a star in Mexico and America. I know I’m here as the underdog, but I’m ready to win and take this WBC belt back to my home in England. I wouldn’t have taken this fight if I didn’t think I could take it. I have trained for everything and worked on my speed and my power. A win against Canelo would be one of the biggest wins of my career because he is a superstar, especially on this Cinco de Mayo weekend in front of everyone. I have trained and worked on my speed and my power. The fans will be very happy on Saturday night. I will be the new world champion. I think it will be difficult to knock Canelo out, but I know I can give him a boxing lesson.”
DAVID LEMIEUX, Former IBF Middleweight World Champion:
“It feels great to be back here in Las Vegas, and I am excited for a great night of boxing. There is no more rest, it is all business. I am here to give a great show and win some fans. After this weekend, everyone will know the name David Lemieux. I am excited for a great night of boxing come May 7. I am here to give a great show and win some fans. I’m happy he [Glen Tapia] is confidant and 100 percent secure he’s going to win. But, that night the fans are going to be the winners. I am going to be more than ready to win. First, I know I need to take care of Glen Tapia properly. After that, I am going to be more than ready to take on Canelo or Khan.”
GLEN “JERSEY BOY” TAPIA, Middleweight Contender:
“I feel so good to be here in Las Vegas, I have trained hard, and I couldn’t feel better about this fight. I know Lemieux comes in as a great fighter, he has a better record than me, and I have a lot of respect for him. The only thing on my mind in the future is fighting David Lemieux.”
MAURICIO “EL MAESTRO” HERRERA, Former WBA Interim Super Light Weight World Champion:
“Frankie Gomez and I are going to create something very special in the ring on Saturday night. Get your tickets because nobody is going to take this fight from me. Training camp has been tough; like every camp it is the toughest part but all my training will make it an easy night for Saturday. I’m not burned out – I’m hungry to win. Frankie Gomez is undefeated and has everything going for him. He wants to take my spot and everything I have built. I respect him as a fighter, but it is my time. He will get his chance later.”
FRANKIE “PITBULL” GOMEZ, Welterweight Contender:
“I’m ready and Mauricio is a great fighter with a lot of experience but so am I. I’m going to show everyone I am not going here to lose on May 7. Training has been great, and I’ve been getting ready for 12 weeks. I’m 100 percent focused on the sport and ready to go. Herrera is very crafty with great experience and has fought many fighters, but I know I’m better.”
PATRICK TEIXEIRA, Undefeated Middleweight Prospect:
“I’m ready and prepared. Good luck to Curtis on trying to knock me out. I will put on a good show, especially for my Mexican friends.”
CURTIS STEVENS, Former World Title Challenger:
“This has been my dream all my life and the next step is to be a world champion. I’m going to keep the fans real excited on May 7!”
DIEGO DE LA HOYA, WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight Champion:
“I’m very excited to be here and see all the beautiful, Mexican people here as fans and to be here on this card. I am thankful to Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity. There is some pressure with the De La Hoya name, but I’ve been prepared for it all my life and I’m ready to put on a show for my fans with my fight. I know my fight is going to be tough because I’m fighting an undefeated opponent. But like a well-trained, Mexican fighter, I’m going to give it all in the ring and come out with a victory.”
JASON “EL ANIMAL” QUIGLEY, Middleweight Prospect:
“It feels great to be here with all the support from the fans for my fight on May 7th. I worked very hard to get to this position, and I’m going to grab my opponent, put on my knockout gloves and take the victory.”
Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, 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, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 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.
