Kickoff Presser for June 8 Card
The sport of boxing is full of clichés.
Boxing talk about warriors “going out on their shield,” “going toe to toe,” and “many y mano.” Fighters giving it 100% and having the best training camp ever. And battles made up of “punches in bunches” and being “an instant classic” are common phrases used to describe good-action bouts.
But come June 8, these clichés will, arguably, come to life in the shape and fists of Marcos Maidana, Josesito Lopez, Alfredo Angulo and Erislandy Lara.
FOUR FIGHTERS. TWO WARS.
This fearsome foursome is the scheduled main and co-main on the June 8 card at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. This rumble is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions (Maidana vs. Lopez bout).
I attended the Monday press conference that officially kicked off this highly-anticipated scorcher of a night.
The announcement was made by Oscar de la Hoya at the famed La Fonda Restaurant in Los Angeles. While legendary Mariachis normally take center stage on this day it was four gladiators with their respective trainers and promoters that owned that stage. With the marquee matches of Marcos Maidana vs. Josesito Lopez and Alfredo Angulo vs. Erislandy Lara in the crosshairs for June 8, it’s promising to be an action-packed summer. The Carson fights will air on Showtime Championship Boxing and will also showcase a Demetrius Hopkins vs. Jermell Charlo clash.
Promising chin music of their own, I watched as each boxer put on their best “game face” during the official speeches.
Any clues to their conditioning, sparring or training camp will be evident on June 8. For now, all profess to be in great shape, mentally and physically.
The Maidana-Lopez scrap will be for the WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Championship. Argentinean powerhouse Maidana will defend his belt against fan favorite Josesito Lopez, the “Riverside Rocky.” Jose is used to being the underdog in the game and once again, plans on proving people wrong.
“I’m so excited about this fight and I’m the one receiving the punches. I can only imagine how excited the fans are,” he stated. “Years ago before I was at this level I though, “Man, this would be an exciting fight. I would love to get in there and bang with him. Now we’re here. It’s a hell of a match up. It could be ‘Fight of the Year.'”
Lopez was flanked by Team Lopez including trainer Henry Ramirez, co-promoter Ken Thompson, general manager/matchmaker Alex Camponovo, Jose’s brother and fellow fighter Rafael Lopez and more.
All are hoping for a new win and a new upset for the upstart “Riverside Rocky.”
Both Thompson and Camponovo are predicting nothing short of a victory for their fighter.
“The fight will end with one great fighter laying in the middle of the ring, while the other great fighter will be standing and getting his hand raised in victory. And that fighter is the ‘Riverside Rocky,’ Josesito Lopez.
Robert Garcia, trainer of Maidana, is well-known for his work in the Oxnard/Ventura County area and beyond. An ex-pug himself, he knows the game well inside and out.
“We’re training hard for this fight and we know what type of fight we have in front of us,” Garcia acknowledged. “We cannot take this fight lightly.”
For Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo, he will face a dogfight versus Cuban southpaw Erislandy Lara. Angulo has been training in Oakland with Virgil Hunter. The camp has been going well and Alfredo says he’s gotten strong sparring with Demetrius Andrade.
All four fighters kept things cordial, game faces intact, little clues on what they will really bring to the ring on June 8.
Four fighters and two wars will ignite in the City of Carson.
This is one night of boxing I’m really looking forward to.
With all their knockout power, grit, determination and will to win, anything can happen in the squared circle!
Tickets: www.homedepotcenter.com
Photos by Ray Flores
