WBA, IBO and WBC “Interim” Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, (33-0, 30KOs) and IBF Middleweight World Champion David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) hosted their fight week media workout today alongside number one Pound-for-Pound Fighter and WBC Flyweight World Champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, (43-0, 37KOs) and Four-Time World Champion in two weight divisions Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria, (36-4 (22KOs) at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in advance of their anticipated matchups on October 17 at “The Mecca of Boxing” Madison Square Garden. The Middleweight World Championship Title Unification will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.
Golovkin vs. Lemieux is one of the most anticipated bouts of the year breaking records for Madison Square by selling the most tickets during pre-sale for a major boxing event.
Below are what the fighters and their teams had to say at today’s media workout:
GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, WBA, IBO and WBC Interim Middleweight World Champion:
“This is the biggest test for me. He’s the IBF champ. It’s big situation, unification, Pay-Per-View. Right now it’s a very interesting situation to be in in the middleweight division. I think we have three or four fighters and it’s very important who is number one.”
DAVID LEMIEUX, IBF Middleweight World Champion:
“What I have done with the degree of the fight and the intensity for this fight, I know I have to be better than I was for N’Dam.
“Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya are letting me do what I need to do. I have a great team around me and they feel very confident in my abilities.
“I am aware of his record but I am also aware of who I am and what I can bring to the table. My concern is the present and making sure I win on Oct. 17
“I am going to be a lion in there. Nothing is going to be in my way.
“It is kind of like David and Goliath. Everyone is impressed on this big GGG, he is impressive and talented but there is also David who is making a lot of noise. I know what I am going up against and I am going in with a nice package to deliver to Golovkin.”
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ, WBC Flyweight World Champion:
“This fight is going to be exciting. It’s impossible to predict if it will end in a knockout or if it will go the distance.
“I loved the opportunity to be fighting at Madison Square Garden. I feel blessed, and I want to give the best fight ever to the world and demonstrate why I am the best in the world.
“When we go into the fighting game we do it for family, to provide for them. But once you have it all, boxing has taken me to different places where I have been able to proudly represent Nicaragua. That is a great motivation for me; it’s a passion for me. I want to leave a legacy. It is what God has given to me, and I feel happy to share it with the world.
BRIAN “HAWAIIAN PUNCH” VILORIA, Former Four-Time World Champion in Two Weight Divisions:
“I am prepared mentally and expect everything and am ready for it. Now all I have to do is wait a few more days for the fight to happen.
“I have no pressure. I believe all the pressure is on him to maintain and stay number one. This is a motivation for me to train harder, to run longer, faster. The hard part is done. The easy part is performing and that is the fun part.
“I try not to think about everything, my concern is giving it my all. I can live with that and I am prepared to leave it all in the ring.
“I have fought at swap meets and parking lots, and to be at a place like Madison Square Garden on HBO Pay-Per-View this is a dream come true for me. I want to do the best I can do to make this fight entertaining for all the fans.”
TOM LOEFFLER, Managing Director of K2 Promotions:
“We’re very excited to be here in New York City with this terrific event. The response from the fans and media has just been outstanding, and we’re looking forward to a great evening on Saturday.
“Gennady has had a great camp up in Big Bear with Abel, and he’s ready to put on another strong performance against David Lemieux.
“This is Gennady’s first title unification and first Pay-Per-View, and he’s been looking forward to Saturday night in front of his very supportive fans here in New York City and at Madison Square Garden.”
BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions Partner:
“David is ready to become the unified middleweight world champion. I saw him in Montreal and he looked so strong. Today he looks ready to take Golovkin’s head off.”
ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions:
“I saw David three weeks ago and today he looks so fast and strong. Now not only does he have the power that we all know David Lemieux for, but he also has speed and it’s going to be a dangerous night for Golovkin.”
ABEL SANCHEZ, Head Trainer to Gennady Golovkin:
“I don’t think David is going to change his stripes now. I think David is going to come at him and expose himself and give Gennady an opportunity to knock him out.
“I would say Curtis Stevens, who was as dangerous if not more than Lemieux because of his reputation- I think you look at him a little bit different.
“The Chin-Checkers, they were beating everybody up and as a coach I look at what guys have done in the past. David is a force, but I think he’s going to be really surprised when he gets checked the first time.”
MARC RAMSAY, Head Trainer to David Lemieux:
“David has shown tremendous commitment, determination and focus in the gym. This fight has brought out the best in David Lemieux.
“This has been one of the best training camps we have had and everyone will see how powerful David Lemieux is on Oct. 17.”
Golovkin vs. Lemieux is presented by K2 Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with GGG Promotions and Eye of the Tiger Management and is sponsored by Corona Extra, BI Group and Tsesnabank. The event will take place Saturday, October 17 from Madison Square Garden and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. ET and the first fight begins at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Tickets for GOLOVKIN vs. LEMIEUX are still available and priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50 and can purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.
