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LOS ANGELES (May 18, 2010) — Three-time World Champion Israel Vazquez, Two-division World Champion Rafael Marquez and top-rated contender Abner Mares participated at a Media Workout Tuesday at Fortune Gym in Hollywood, Calif.
Vazquez and Marquez will collide for a fourth time in the main event on “Once And Four All” this Saturday at STAPLES Center on SHOWTIME®. Vazquez leads the epic series, 2-1.
In a battle of unbeatens in the co-feature on an excellent fight card, Mares will challenge defending champion Yonnhy Perez for the IBF Bantamweight World Title. Tickets, priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, are available at STAPLES Center Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000.
The doubleheader, which is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions, Espinoza Boxing Promotions and Zanfer Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, will air live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)..
Doors open Saturday at 2:55 p.m. PT. The first live non-televised undercard bout begins at 3 p.m. PT.
Here is what the fighters said on Tuesday:
ISRAEL VAZQUEZ
“With the three fights we’ve already had, I think Marquez and I have already solidified our legacy. But they asked if we wanted to do it again, so of course, I said sure. Why not? If the fans want this fight, so do I.
“I believe our rivalry is far and above the best rivalries ever for one reason. Outside the ring, both of us totally respect each other as human beings. And that counts a lot to me.
“But when it’s time to fight, you know we will put forth nothing less than an all-out effort. We’ve done it three straight times and I expect the same from both of us on Saturday.
“My mind-set is totally on Saturday, and winning the fight. I’m sure Rafa’s is too. Physically, I am 100 percent and ready to go.’’
RAFAEL MARQUEZ
“I lost the last round in the last fight basically because my (former) cornermen made a lot of mistakes. Instead of telling me to go out and fight, my instructions were to box and that cost me the fight.
“That’s one of the reasons I brought in a new trainer (former World Champion Daniel Zaragoza) to work with me. He is able to give me his full attention, 100 percent of the time. My old cornermen could not.
“I am very excited and totally prepared to fight Vazquez again. I am very confident I will tie the score. But I know I have to fight smart and never relax too much because Vazquez hits so hard. You dismiss him for a second and it could cost you.’’
ABNER MARES
“I am as good as I can be and can’t wait for Saturday. As each day passes, the excitement inside me builds. This is the first time I have been involved in a fight where there is something going on almost every day, where there is actually a fight week schedule with things for me to do.
“It is keeping me busy, but I love it. To be involved in a fight like this, on a great card like this, makes me feel special and it makes me realize even more that I have to treat this like a real fight.
“Actually having something to do almost every day is a good thing. With all the continual reminders that I have to do this today, something else tomorrow and so forth, it keeps me focused and it keeps my mind from wandering.
“It also keeps my mind away from eating, which is perfect because my weight right now is just about perfect.’’
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PROSPECTS CARLOS MOLINA & RONNY RIOS HIT THE BIG TIME ON MAY 22
LOS ANGELES, May 19 – If you talk to boxing insiders, they will tell you that one day, unbeaten Southern California standouts Carlos Molina and Ronny Rios will headline an event in Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center. On Saturday, May 22, fight fans can get an early look into the future as Molina and Rios step through the ropes along with Mexico’s Freddy Hernandez in separate bouts on the “Once and Four All” Vazquez vs. Marquez IV undercard.
In an eight round junior welterweight bout, Molina will face Tijuana’s Humberto Tapia and in a junior lightweight bout scheduled for six rounds, Rios meets Guadalupe De Leon. Also featured on the undercard will be welterweight contender Freddy Hernandez’ in a ten rounder against Oscar Leon of Colombia.
Unbeaten in 11 pro fights, Norwalk, California’s Carlos Molina (11-0, 6 KO’s) has been the King of his hometown over the course of his young pro career and the 24-year-old is getting better with each outing, making it clear that he is on his way to the top in the crowded junior welterweight division. Fresh from a four round win over Hensley Strachan in February, Molina will square off against Tijuana’s Humberto Tapia (15-12-1, 8 KO’s) on May 22. Tapia, also 24 years old, is no stranger to facing top fight prospects, having stepped in the ring with the likes of Hylon Williams, Danny Garcia, Rock Allen and Brandon Rios, and this experience makes him a tough test for Molina.
Owner of a stellar 28-1 (18 KO’s) as a professional, Mexico City’s Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez has paid his dues and is ready to take on the best the welterweight division has to offer. Unbeaten since 2005, the WBA Fedelatin, IBA and WBC Latino champion has defeated the likes of DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, Ben “Wonder” Tackie, Roberto Garcia and Norberto “Nito” Bravo over the last three years, earning him a number 11 world ranking in the WBC. Looking to stop his ascent to the top is Colombia native Oscar Leon (28-12, 18 KO’s), a southpaw with the type of world-class experience to give any contender a run for his money.
A national amateur champion at the age of 17, Ronny Rios (10-0, 5 KO’s) knows what it’s like to deal with pressure, so it’s no surprise that three years later, the Santa Ana, California standout has made an immediate mark in the pro boxing world and has made it look easy in the process. Already 2-0 in 2010, with wins over Willshaun Boxley and Andres Ledesma, Rios hopes to keep his perfect record intact when he takes on Weslaco, Texas’ always tough Guadalupe De Leon (8-10, 4 KOs).
Following three epic battles, three-time World Champion Israel Vazquez and two-division World Champion Rafael Marquez will face off in the fourth installment of what is perhaps the greatest boxing trilogy of all-time on Saturday, May 22, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). In the co-feature, Yonnhy Perez will defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Title against unbeaten top contender Abner Mares.
The historic doubleheader is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions, Espinoza Boxing Promotions and Zanfer Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Tickets, priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25 are available online at ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800)745-3000. Tickets are also available at the STAPLES Center Box Office.