24.08.06 – Photo: Mary Ann Owen / For SHOWTIME – Joel Casamayor (left) and Diego Corrales pose after Wednesday’s press conference at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas to formally announce their grudge rubber match on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, Oct. 7, on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). Corrales-Casamayor III will be shown during a FREE PREVIEW WEEKEND on SHOWTIME (Friday, Oct. 6-Monday, Oct. 9).
When the 20th anniversary celebration of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING continues on SHOWTIME on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 9 p.m., ET/PT (delayed on the west coast), Diego “Chico” Corrales will face nemesis and former 130-pound world champion, southpaw Joel “El Cepillo” Casamayor.
The rubber match of an outstanding, hard-fought series will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and take place at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Corrales (40-3, 33 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of Sacramento, is 8-1 in world title fights. Casamayor (33-3-1, 21 KOs), of Miramar, Fla., by way of Guantanamo, Cuba, is 7-3..
Corrales vs. Casamayor III will be part of SHOWTIME’s Free Preview Weekend line up. Oct. 6 – 9, 2006 is ‘Destination SHOWTIME,’ as the network will be available to viewers in more than 35 million homes across the country.
Boxing fans get to whet their appetite for the grudge match in the weeks leading up to the fight. SHOWTIME has combined both explosive bouts into one action-packed program entitled: ‘Corrales vs. Casamayor I & II.’ The program has a runtime of approximately 90 minutes and will air on the network as follows:
SERVICE DATE START TIME
SHO2 Sat. 9/23 8:30 p.m.
SHO2 Thur. 9/28 7:25 p.m.
SHO Fri 9/29 10 p.m.
SHO Sat 9/30 4:15 p.m.
SHO Wed. 10/4 11:30 p.m.
*ALL TIMES ET/PT
Corrales vs. Casamayor I & II will also be available at SHOWTIME On Demand beginning Sept. 18.
OCTOBER 7-SHOWTIME CHAMIONSHIP BOXING –PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
DIEGO CORRALES
“Everyone knows what I’m here to do. I’m in great shape. I’m here to defend my titles and keep my titles.
“When I’m done with him there won’t be enough of him to send back to Cuba. I’m going to torture him. I will retire him.
“No matter what, if I’m cut, if I’m down, you still have to watch out for me. My mind helps me equalize.
“I think we have bad blood between us because we started off on the wrong foot and we stayed that way. We’re like oil and water. We don’t mix. I know he’s going to bring an explosive performance because this means everything to him. But it means everything to me too. I’m looking to close this chapter in my career.
“Having Joe (Goossen) in my corner is a huge advantage. He can tell me everything thing I need to know about Casamayor. But Casamayor does not have that same luxury about me.”
JOEL CASAMAYOR“
We’re two strong fighters and come Oct. 7 we’re coming to fight.
“I’m really strong right now, and I’ve got secret strategies for this fight that I can’t share. I feel stronger and smarter now than I ever have in my career.
“I’m happy he finally gave me the rematch. I have a gold medal, a world title and now I want to settle the score with Corrales. This rubber match I will be bringing more hunger like I never have since I left Cuba.
“Corrales has been in a lot of ring wars. He’s burnt. I just need to touch him in the chin and he will go.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this; I have a genuine hunger to win. I feel I’m the stronger guy. There are videos that prove it.
“I don’t think the fights between Corrales and Castillo were a big deal. I mean, I’ve been in the ring with him. I feel I have him figured out.”