“Fight Week on FOX in L.A.” heated up Thursday afternoon as fighters hosted a final press conference before Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FOX and FOX Deportes showdowns taking place at STAPLES Center in downtown Los Angeles. The press conference culminated with choice words between the main event fighters’ fathers Ruben Guerrero and Angel Garcia. Both fathers, known to be more outspoken than their sons, did not back down and caused quite the scene and security was forced to break up the scuffle.
Televised fights begin at 4 p.m. PT inside of the arena with the FOX and FOX Deportes broadcast beginning at 5 p.m. PT. The main event of the evening pits undefeated Danny “Swift” Garcia against former world champion Robert “The Ghost’ Guerrero in a welterweight world title battle. Also featured in televised action is a welterweight showdown between Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez and Aron Martinez plus a heavyweight match-up between Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale and Amir “Hardcore” Mansour.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced
at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 or at STAPLES Center.
Here is what the participants had to say at Thursday’s press conference at the Conga Room:
DANNY GARCIA
“I want to thank Ruben Guerrero because he’s awakened the devil. I can’t wait for Saturday night to show the world what Danny Garcia is all about. I feel fast, I feel strong and I’ll see everyone Saturday.
“My dad and I are chilling right now, we’re business men. They set it off and they woke us up. That’s the last thing you want to do to us. I’m going to bring the heat. He never faced a guy like me. I’m sending a message.
“I haven’t felt this way in a long time. It’s that feeling you get when you know you’re going to put on a great performance.
“I feel great. I’m keeping my composure and staying focused. Saturday night will be another night of work for me.
“I’m the type of fighter where I can be cool, but certain things bring out the anger in me. I don’t feel any pressure. I’m going to go in there and be Danny Garcia.
“I’m going to make adjustments. I know he wants to get dirty but we have an answer for everything he has.”
ANGEL GARCIA, Danny’s Father & Trainer
“Danny had a great camp. It was a beautiful camp. He looked great sparring. This is a new beginning in his life. There’s a new man in town.
“There’s no doubt Robert’s coming to fight. This is boxing. He’s supposed to come to fight. I know he’s not going to come in here and play with Danny. We’re ready for anything he brings to the table.
“We’re not going to let Robert take away what Danny has worked his whole life to get. I worked hard to make Danny the man he is today.
“Danny is going to be the new champion of the world Saturday night. After that we’re going after the other belts. Fight night is going to be about Danny and Robert.”
ROBERT GUERRERO
“We’re really ready to go. We trained hard and did everything we had to do. There’s nothing left now but to do it.
“I have to go out there and show my heart. Everything I put into this, I want to get even more out. I’m a hard worker and it will translate into the ring.
“I’m excited to get to the fight and take care of business. As my dad says, ‘we’re ‘letting the roosters go.’ It’s time to fight.
“I’m very grateful to be fighting on this show as the return of boxing is back on FOX. I’m ready to settle our business in the ring.
“All the talking is done. He said he’s going to knock me out…well we’re going to see. I’m ready to represent the Mexican people and bring the fans a great, action-packed fight.
“A title is on the line and I’m extremely motivated to silence the critics who are doubting me. I’m ready to become a champion once again”
RUBEN GUERRERO, Robert’s Father & Trainer
“I wish the fight was today, because we’re ready. Danny Garcia better be ready. It’s over. It’s time to fight. It’s going to be a bloody and rough fight. We’re bringing everything.
“Same thing that happened to Andre Berto is going to happen to Danny. His dad better be ready to throw the towel in.”
SAMMY VASQUEZ
“This is going to be my first time fighting in L.A., and so far it’s been a blessing. Everyone has accepted me with open arms.
“Training camp has gone amazingly well. I know Aron is going to bring it. He’s that type of fighter. He’s got a lot of heart, a lot of grit and he’s going to come at me. It’s going to be an incredible fight.
“To me, I’m supposed to be at the top with the top guys. I’m not like the guys that Aron Martinez has beat. I know he’s on a high right now and it’s my job to knock him off of it.
“This is probably the biggest stage I’ve been on. Fighting in primetime is huge. The city has accepted me and I’m going to take that feeling into the ring Saturday night.
“Somebody is going to get stopped and I’m pretty confident in myself. We’re ready. I’m excited and I feel like I’m going to win. We’re going to do it.”
ARON MARTINEZ
“I’m just really happy to be here. I’m thankful for everyone who got me here. Everything has run smoothly and we’re feeling ready.
“My team is calm and ready to go. This is where I grew up. What else can I ask for? I have a lot of people coming to support me and I’m excited.
“It feels like I’ve been training for a whole year. I have no problem with the southpaws, I’ve been preparing for that in camp. We’re so focused and ready for this opportunity.
“We respect each other. We’re here to do a job. I respect Sammy. He’s a veteran. But once you get in the ring, it’s a different story. Everything goes out the window. He’s a boxer and a good counter puncher. But we have a plan and there won’t be any excuses.
“I’ve never been more ready than I am for this fight. I had a good training camp. My whole team has really gone above and beyond. It’s going to be a war. There’s nothing else to say.”
DOMINIC BREAZEALE
“I’ve been waiting to get into the ring for a long time. I’m chomping at the bit. I’m anxious to get in there.
“This has been one of those camps. We had a fight in December. Charles Martin got away from me, but we’re going to get him back.
“They say you can’t go from the football field to the boxing ring, but I’m doing it. Undefeated and going for another knockout.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen him in person. He’s a midget compared to me. I don’t think he has any chance at all on Saturday night. I’m looking for a great knockout.
“Anytime you get a chance to fight on primetime TV is amazing. I fought on primetime during the Olympics and I’m looking forward to doing it here in front of my fans. If you’re not a fan of mine yet, you will be after Saturday.
“I hope Amir Mansour had a great camp as well because I’m going to bring it. It’s going to be fireworks.”
AMIR MANSOUR
“I’d like to thank everyone who helped me get this opportunity. PBC is doing a great thing with boxing and this is going to be another great fight.
“I’ve been winning fights, knocking guys out. We’ve all had trials and tribulations, I certainly have. But I’m a real fighter and a true fighter. I love the sport of boxing and I dedicate myself to the things that have gotten me here.
“Saturday I’m going to go in there and do my thing. You can’t come from a football field into the ring with me. It’s not going to work for you. I’m not going to allow it. I have a history of putting everything on the line in that ring and Saturday will be no different.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“This fight is about finding out who the best is. All great fighters want the opportunity to be in a fight like this.
“The show is headlined by one of the most exciting undefeated boxers, Danny Garcia, against a former world champion in Robert Guerrero. We know for sure that this is going to be a battle of two great warriors. Both men are going to bring everything they’ve got to this fight.”
MATT NATHANSON, Head of Business Operations for FOX Sports
“This will be first of many events we will be doing with PBC on the FOX Network this year. It’s the first of some great things to come. Thanks to PBC for being such great partners and we’re thrilled to bring this fight into every home in America.”
