Juarez, Morales Full Press Conference Coverage for This Saturdays NBC Fight

23.04.04 – By Carlos Kalinchuk: This afternoon at the Reliant Stadium in Houston Texas, Main Events in conjunction with Budweiser, Browning Boxing, Telemundo and NBC had the last press conference leading up to Saturday’s big fights here in Houston. Main Events’ Carl Moretti emceed the event and the fighters took the podium and gave some final words before the big nationally televised show.

Moretti first introduced veteran Stephen Garcia. Moretti next introduced Jr. Lightweight contender Juan Diaz’s brother Jose Diaz and his trainer Willie Savanah. Savanah stepped to the mic first and had this to say…

“Jose Diaz had 125 Amateur fights and won 3 National Silver Glove Titles so even though he’s young he a very talented kid. Jose is a little bit excited but he’s ready and we’re excited to be here. Thank you.”

Jose Diaz added…
“I’m really glad I have the opportunity to fight and make my pro debut in front of my home town. I want to thank the people at Main Events for making that happen. It’s going to be an exciting card and I’m looking at putting on a good show. Thank you.

Moretti next introduced Ian McKillop who will be fighting Mexico’s Roberto Garcia.

Ian McKillop: “Thank you to Main Events and NBC for giving me this opportunity. These are not easy fights on this card. These are all going to be tough fights. I think I’ve faced better competition than he has and so I expect to win. Thank You.”

Reynosa Mexico’s Roberto Garcia took the mic added his own two cents.

Roberto Garcia: “I want to thank NBC and Main Events. I know my opponent faced better opponents than me but I’ve prepared and I’ve trained and done the work and I’m going to show all of you Saturday that there’s another Mexican prospect out here in Houston that you need to keep your eyes on. Thank you.”

Next Moretti introduced team Morales. Tony Ayala Sr. took the mic and he had much to say about Saturdays fight.

Tony Ayala Sr: “I want to thank Main Events and NBC and I’m glad they gave us opportunity. Joe’s been with me for 10 years and he had a very limited amateur experience but this kid works hard. He’s worked 12-14 hours a day and then he goes to the gym and if there’s a true Rocky here, his name is Joe Morales. No offense Rocky. Joe’s been training hard and he’s been facing stiff competition. I know everyone is expecting Rocky to win but it’s not going to be no walk in the park I’m going to tell you that! I want you guys to know that I’ve been in this business for 48 years and I’ve taken fighters who were not supposed to win (Carl Moretti) from Main Events knows that. I will say this…you never know the capability of a swords strength, until it’s been tested in fire and this is going to be a good test for everybody. Thank you.”

Joe Morales added;“I am here to win. I have trained for this fight and worked very hard and I am looking to give him a tough fight but I didn’t come here to roll over. I’ve fought good competition and I’m ready. Thank you.”

Moretti next introduced Rocky Juarez.

Rocky Juarez: “I want to thank first my father Pedro, my trainer Ray, Main Events and NBC for giving me the opportunity. I never take anyone lightly. Come Saturday I’m expecting a good fight and coming from Ayala’s Gym I expect him to be tough and very well trained. But, I rise to the occasion when I’m put in a tough fight so you guys and the people of Houston can expect a good fight from me. I’ve trained hard and I’ve had time to prepare for him and I’ve seen tapes of him so I am ready. Finally, I want to thank the people of Houston for coming out to support this fight. It should be a good show. Thank you.“

Moretti then closed the conference off by thanking the city of Houston, NBC, Browning Boxing, and Telemundo for assisting in bringing this fight to fruition. The fighters were then allowed to do interviews. I spoke with Rocky first.

Eastside Boxing: How does the crowd affect you when you fight here?

Rocky Juarez: It hits me after a fight. After a victory then I notice it. I’m 19-0 and that’s a good feeling. I saw his fight with Joel Casamayor and he’s in shape coming out of Ayala’s Gym. I know he coming here to fight and he’s going to give it his best. I’m confident both physically and mentally that I will put on a good show.

Eastside Boxing: Stylistically with whom did you train that was similar to Morales?

Rocky Juarez: You can never really find someone who fights like the fighter you’re preparing for. All you can do is do the work in the gym and do the best you can to be physically and mentally prepared and then it’s all determined by what happens in the ring.

Eastside Boxing: How many rounds did you spar for this fight?

Rocky Juarez: 100 rounds. I started at 6 then went to 8 and then 10 about a month and a half ago and then I start working backwards and last week I finished off with four rounds.

Eastside Boxing: I’ve asked you this question a few times, but will this be your last fight in Houston before a title-shot?

Rocky Juarez: If everything goes well, I will be here for to fight for a title shot if everything goes well. Hopefully but I don’t know. I think Main Events is trying since Diaz and I are pretty popular and we’re both from Houston to bring a title fight here.

Eastside Boxing: Can you fill us in on any big name opponents that you might be fighting?

Rocky Juarez: I think the winner of the Injin Chi fight. I think Manny Pacquiao but that would be a “money fight.”

Eastside Boxing: So would Tapia, Ayala and Barrera be on your list for this year?

Rocky Juarez: Correct. Correct. I feel Tapia would be good and they mentioned him but I don’t think that fights going to happen now since he lost to Frankie Archuleta that I knocked out (stopped) in 6. It’s hard to say.

Eastside Boxing: What are your thoughts of the Ayala-Barrera fight? I just wanted to get your thoughts.

Rocky Juarez: Oh yeah??? I didn’t know they were fighting. When are they fighting?

Eastside Boxing: I think in June.

Rocky Juarez: I think Barrera is too strong. I think Ayala throws more volume but it just allows more opening to counter but Ayala is never a fighter that you could look past. As long as Barrera comes in shape and he’s mentally focused.

Eastside Boxing: Do you think that is why he lost the last time to Pacquiao? That he was pre-occupied with other things?

Rocky Juarez: Pacquiao would have given him a tough fight even though he was at his best. He’s a good opponent. He’s a good fighter. But I feel Barrera was slightly off that day, where he just wasn’t there.

Eastside Boxing: Is there a chance that you can face the loser of that fight?

Rocky Juarez: I don’t think it’s going to happen right now. I think right now they’re just trying to set me up for a title shot and get a belt but I think a shot with Barrera or Pacquiao would be better in 2005. I think those would be money fights.

Eastside Boxing: Any closing comments?

Rocky Juarez: Let me first of all say to my fans out there here and Houston and throughout the US, that it’s great to have them as fans because they are the ones that stick behind me even when I’m down and out and even when I’m up. I want everyone to come out here in Houston to support this fight and thanks for your support.

Eastside Boxing: Thanks bro and good luck.

Rocky Juarez: Thank you.

***Joe Morales had this to say:

Eastside Boxing: What do you think you bring to the table as far as from other opponents that have faced Rocky?

Joe Morales: I think I bring a lot more experience. I think on the level of progression level is whom I’ve fought and I think that is the key. I’ve fought world Champions and I’ve learned a lot from my experience I’ve had with these fighters.

Eastside Boxing: In the beginning of Rocky’s career he was not known as a puncher but later in his career in this advanced stage, he’s earned some TKO’s and KO’s, however, knowing that he IS a slow starter, what have you done to prepare for this?

Joe Morales: Mainly just work hard at everything I do. It’s not about working fast or trying to punch hard early. It’s about what you do in the gym. Counting the 10 rounds is fine but it’s really how you finish. It’s like Roy Jones said before, you can be in the race all the way through but it’s who crosses the finish line at the end that matters. You can have a slow start but it just matters who finishes but I am ready for all 10 rounds.

Eastside Boxing: How important is this fight for you?

Joe Morales: It’s just another stepping-stone. It’s another fight in my career and it’s one of these situations where when people hear my name and then see my record (with the loses) they are going to say, ‘Well who the heck is this guy!’ But I’ve been with some of the best like Raheem, Casamayor, Donis, and Hussein and I’ve never stooped down and said ‘No’ I’m not going to fight this guy. I’ve taken on anybody and I’ve fought hard.”

Eastside Boxing: Is this fight going to be the first time that you’ve really squared off with an opponent on their turf?

Joe Morales: It’s not really going to be a big factor for me. Its really more pressure for him and I like being the underdog! When I surpass that, and I get over that big hump it’ll make me feel good.

Eastside Boxing: If you walk away with the “W” what does this mean for Joe Morales?

Joe Morales: It’s going to be like with the Spurs, I’m going to win a World Championship (laughs). No, it opens up a lot of doors and they will look at me differently. I know they look at me now and say, ‘hey that kid is a hard 10 round kid.’ I’m always there and I’m going to give you every fight 100%! Of course I’ve been robbed a couple of times in fights but I didn’t just say, ‘forget it, I’m done with this.’ I know he’s much younger than me. He’s been exposed more than me and that’s what it means. I will now be known.

Eastside Boxing: What has Tony Sr. told you to keep you within your game plan? Is there anything that he’s told you?

Joe Morales: “He’s said just take it like any ordinary fight. I thought when I fought Casamayor I won the first few rounds and then I started thinking he was playing with me and lost that confidence. But if look at my other fights like with Raheem, I just did my thing. When I was fighting for the Miller Lite Texas title I fought that way and I think there is the difference. I’m going to fight him like I’m fighting anybody else. I’m prepared for anybody.”

Next I caught up with Rising star Juan Diaz who was just featured last week on NBC. He knocked out Martin O’Malley in two rounds. I spoke with him at length and that interview will be posted soon. This is what he had to say though about his brother Jose Diaz.

Eastside Boxing: What kind of advice have you given Jose about turning pro?

Juan Diaz: He saw it from the beginning. He’s seen me fight when there was only 500 people and now he’s seen it like the last show where there is 4,000 people so he’s seen everything from the beginning so there’s not much he doesn’t know.

Eastside Boxing: What do you parents think of both of you now being pros since he’s decided to do it?

Juan Diaz: Me and my Mom didn’t want him to turn pro. I know how tough professional boxing is but my Dad, he was really happy he did it. Now we’re all behind him 100%!

Eastside Boxing: What do you have to say to the fans?

Juan Diaz: I just want to tell the fans to come out and support this card. My brother will be a rising star and he is possibly better than me.

Eastside Boxing: What are his strengths?

Juan Diaz: One of his biggest strengths is that he has better hand speed. I’ve seen him fight and spar but it seems like he’s a lot quicker than me.

Eastside Boxing: Have you guys ever fought each other?

Juan Diaz: Yeah, we’ve actually sparred. His sparring partner fell out last week so I had to spar with him. The guy got cut and he couldn’t spar anymore so on the last day I had to spar with him (Laughs).

Eastside Boxing: What weight class is he going to be fighting in?

Juan Diaz: 122lbs. I think he’ll start at the 122 lbs.

Eastside Boxing: Any possibility that he’ll move up in weight?

Juan Diaz: Well maybe. He’s still young and he might grow 1-2 more inches.

Carlos “Stiff-jab” Kalinchuk
Contributing Writer & Photographer