Three-time World Champion ISRAEL “MAGNIFICO” VAZQUEZ, two-division World Champion RAFAEL MARQUEZ, undefeated IBF Bantamweight World Champion YONNHY PEREZ and unbeaten top-rated contender ABNER MARES participated in a media conference call to discuss their upcoming fights on Saturday, May 22 at STAPLES Center on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING LIVE at 9 P.M. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®.
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.
Here’s what the fighters had to say on Tuesday:
ISRAEL VAZQUEZ
“I have a lot of gratitude for the fans for sticking by me because I’ve been out for such a long time. And there’s still an interest in this fight. I’ve prepared myself just like I did for the first three fights. There’s no exception this is going to be a tough fight. Rafael requires that much preparation because he’s such a great fighter.
“I think we surprised everybody with how great the first three fights were. No one expected them to be so great. We surprised everybody and we surprised ourselves. And more than anything we treated the fans. I still get stopped in the street and people say, ‘Hey, are you going to fight him again.’ And, ‘When are you going to fight him again?’ So I have to thank the fans because without them there wouldn’t be a fourth fight.”
Is it an advantage to have fought three times before?
“I think it cancels out. We know each other very well. We know each other’s strengths and we know each other’s weaknesses. And it’s our job to do what we have to do and it’s our job to prevent the other guy from doing what they have to do. We’re fighters. I know I’ve stayed in the gym and I know that Rafa stays in the gym so rust cannot set it.
“I’ve had big fights that have taken a lot out of me but I still feel good. I feel fine going into the ring and that’s why I’m still fighting. Obviously you get motivated by the fans and you get motivated by the money. I’m finally making some good money now. If I can feel the way I feel now I’ll keep fighting till I’m 50 years old. But I still feel good physically.”
Is it a negative or a positive to know each other so well?
“I see it as a positive. You’re right, it can be a negative as well but I see it as a positive. I know his tendencies. I know where to attack him from. The negatives you can always correct them. You can go back and fix what you didn’t do right. How well are we going to be able to execute what we’ve been working on? And how will we hold up physically? How much did those past fight take out of us? Those are the questions that will be answered.”
Is this going to close the Vazquez-Marquez book?
“That’s a good question. Sometimes you get motivated by the money. And it’s very good money we’re getting paid. I’m just thinking of the fourth fight right now and I’m going to give it my all and go out with a big hurrah. Part of the reason I’m doing this is for the fans and I just want to make a great fight for the fans.”
What is your motivation for this fight?
“The money is great but we work hard for it. We just want to make a great fight. We’ve prepared ourselves to lay it all on the line and give it all we’ve got in that ring. My motivation is to shut those naysayers mouths. They say I shouldn’t be fighting anymore. I want to shut their mouths and let them know that I can still make great fights. All I’ve got to do is make a great, spectacular fight on the 22nd. One thing I know is that Rafa and I might be in wheelchairs one day but we’ll still be throwing punches and battling from our wheelchairs.”
RAFAEL MARQUEZ
“It’s going to be a great fight. Just like the other three. I can’t wait to get in the ring. It’s going to be a spectacle. Israel is a good fighter and that’s the kind of fights that we make. We’re here to please the fans and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Is it an advantage to have fought three times before?
“I agree with Israel. I think it cancels out. I’m always training; either running or in the gym working out. It’s going to be a great fight on the 22nd. It cancels out. We both know each other very well.”
What are Israel’s strengths? What are his weaknesses?
“What I can say about Israel is that Israel is a great fighter. He’s very strong. He’s resilient. He hits hard and he’s proven he can come back when he’s down on points. He can always come back and win a fight. I’ve always said that he’s a great fighter and that he really has no weaknesses. I feel that’s why I accepted to fight him the first time. I said I only want to fight the best and that’s why I agreed to fight him the first time. He’s just a very good fighter.
“I still feel physically fine. The only thing that’s different with me this time is I’m more mature. And that’s with any fight; you keep learning. You keep maturing mentally. The only difference between me this time and last is I have matured mentally and I know what it takes to win.”
Is it a negative or a positive to know each other so well?
“I agree with Israel it’s a little positive and it’s a little negative but you can correct your mistakes. That’s one of the keys to this fight. Who will be able to execute.”
Is this going to close the Vazquez-Marquez book?
“It’s up to the fans. We do this for the fans. They are the ones who decide. This fourth fight was in demand because the fans wanted to see it. I leave it up to fans. If they want to see it then we have to leave it up to the fans.”