Six Questions with the New WBO NABO Lightweight Champion Who Makes His First Title Defense Against Wilton Hilario This Week on “ESPN’s Friday Night Fights”(9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA Los Angeles, CA (March 2, 2010) – Fresh off an upset win over unbeaten prospect John Molina, Jr. back in November at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA, new WBO NABO Lightweight champion Martin “El Brochas” Honorio returns to the scene of one of his biggest victories when he makes his first title defense against Dominican Wilton “Pretty Warrior” Hilario in the main event of the March 5th telecast of “ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” live on ESPN2 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.).
We now take you “Inside the Mind” of Honorio leading into the final days prior to the fight with “Six Questions” for the champion:
QUESTION #1: How was your recent victory over John Molina, Jr. received in your native Mexico?
HONORIO: “My fans in Mexico were very proud and happy that they got to witness their own Martin Honorio get a victory.”
QUESTION #2: How did you celebrate your WBO NABO Lightweight title win?
HONORIO: “The victory couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. It was the end of the year and we celebrated it through the end of the year and New Year with family, friends, my wife, and my kids. We celebrated while mixing it up with work through New Years and now I’m just focused on getting my next victory and working on improving that craftsmanship I displayed in the ring last fight into 2010.
QUESTION #3: How is your training going for the fight on March 5th?
HONORIO: “My training has gone very well as planned. Basically, my training is over. I’m just keeping myself geared up and ready to go. The final details are what I am focusing on right now, along with my weight. I do know that I am going against an undefeated fighter who wants to beat me. I am aware of that and am ready to handle him.”
QUESTION #4: What kind of scouting reports have you gotten on Hilario?
HONORIO: “There’s no way that any fighter in any fight can train halfway or train just a little. You have to be fully trained and ready to take on whichever opponent it is. To get the best of my ability — regardless of what I’ve heard and what I’ve read –that’s what I go on. I’ll be in great shape no matter the scouting report.”
QUESTION #5: Can you describe your feelings on defending your title back at Pechanga where you won it?
HONORIO: “I feel very happy to be back at Pechanga Resort & Casino. I feel very content with Goossen Tutor Promotions and appreciative that they brought me back to a place where I won my title. The meaning behind it is much more than any other location. I won my last title there so I feel all that much more comfortable there, almost as if I’m home.”
QUESTION #6: What would a win over Hilario mean for your career going forward?
HONORIO: “Getting a victory would solidify me among the top 2 or 3 contenders in the world and, hopefully, that would give me the opportunity for a world title challenge which will be rightfully mine.”
Tickets priced at $70 Premium Ringside (Rows 1-3), $60 (Ringside Rows 4-7), $45 (VIP rows 8-11) and $30 General Admission (Rows 12 and beyond) are available at the Pechanga Box Office from 10am to 10pm or by calling 1-877-2WIN and press 2. Doors open at 5:00 PM. First Bout is at 6:00 PM
John Molina Interview
Los Angeles, CA (March 3, 2010) – Lightweight prospect John Molina, Jr., fighting for the first time since sustaining his first loss as a professional, will be in action Friday night at the same venue where he lost in late November. Molina, Jr., who lost by decision to Martin Honorio at the Pechanga Resort & Casino, will be featured on the Honorio-Wilton Hilario undercard at the same Temecula, CA venue.
We go “Inside the Mind” of John Molina, Jr. in the final, prefight days, with “Six Questions” for the popular and talented Covina, CA boxer.
QUESTION #1: You recently experienced your first loss as a professional. How difficult was that for you?
MOLINA, JR.: “On the competitive side of me it was more difficult than you want to believe and a tough pill to swallow. But the brain side of me knows the fact that I was 30 percent, if that, because I was sick with the flu. I drank a half bottle of Dayquil right before I went down to my dressing room. So, given the circumstances and how I did, now that I look back on it, Martin Honorio fought 100% healthy while I was about 30%. But it was a good experience because I showed I was tough.”
QUESTION #2: Were you able to take anything positive out of your loss to Martin Honorio?
MOLINA, JR.: “Oh Yes, I believe that no matter what happened, worse comes to worse I’m still going to fight. I’m gonna be in a fight and I’m gonna give the fans what they want, which is a fight. And I have proven the fact that no matter what circumstances I’m in, I’ll go out on my shield.”
QUESTION #3: How much are you looking forward to fighting at Pechanga on March 5th?
MOLINA, JR.: “I’m going back to the scene of the crime. I am looking forward to it just to get the ball rolling. I know 2010 is going to be a huge, huge year for me and this is gonna be the first step in the right direction to get back in the win column, get a fight under my belt and move forward. I can’t wait to get in the ring at Pechanga on March 5th and do what we do best in this fight and show everybody that the last fight was just a hiccup in my game. That’s all it was.”
QUESTION #4: How difficult is it for you to train for a fight knowing it’s a no win situation fighting an unknown?
MOLINA, JR.: “It’s like fighting in amateurs when you were back in the day and didn’t know who you were going to fight because they were unknowns. You just knew you had a fight on your hands and just be prepared for anything, brother, and come out on top. I put my trust in my team: my father (John Sr.), (Promoter) Dan (Goossen), (Trainer) Joe (Goossen), my manager (Ben Lira). They do what they do best and I do what I do best. So far it’s done wonders for us. I’m not too worried about it. I have the best team around.”
QUESTION #5: What would a win on March 5th mean for your career going forward?
MOLINA, JR.: “It’ll be a step in the right direction, getting back in the win column. To me there is no other option but a win. To me, that’s all I’m looking at. I already have it posted in my mind that it’s going to be a ‘W’. We’re going to go out there, do the job and go home. There’s no other alternative. The way I’m being advised, the way I’m being trained, all I know is that I’ll be coming out with a ‘W’ on March 5th.”
QUESTION #6: What are your goals for 2010?
MOLINA, JR.: “A championship fight in 2010 no matter who it is. I think we’re leaving the door open to take on whoever, whenever. As long as Dan and Joe think I’m ready, then it’s time to go.”
RICO RAMOS TAKES ANOTHER BIG STEP TOWARD BEING THE BEST 122-POUNDER
Six Questions with the NABO Youth Super Bantamweight Champion Who Defends Against Cecilio Santos This Week in the Co-Feature on “ESPN’s Friday Night Fights”(10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA
Los Angeles, CA (March 4, 2010) – Coming off an impressive win over once-beaten Alejandro Perez back in late November at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA, NABO Youth Super Bantamweight champion Rico “Suavecito” Ramos returns to take another step up when he takes on four-time world title challenger Cecilio Santos in the scheduled eight-round co-feature of the March 5th telecast of ESPN “FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” live on ESPN2 (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).
We go “Inside the Mind” of Rico Ramos in the final, prefight days with “Six Questions” for the NABO Youth champ.
QUESTION #1: In your last fight in November you had an exciting win at Pechanga on Showtime over your toughest opponent to date in Alejandro Perez. How pleased were you with your performance that night?
RAMOS: “I was very pleased with that win. It was a tough fight but people took notice. I had to watch the punches I threw because he was real tough and we knew how tough both of us were once the bell rang. I just wanted to limit my mistakes and keep control, which I did. It was a tough fight.”
QUESTION #2: You will be fighting for the fourth time at Pechanga on March 5th and have developed quite a following. How do you like boxing there?
RAMOS: “I like Pechanga. I have a lot more fans there and they bring great energy. And I like it as far as staying and eating there too. I like the people there and it’s a fun place.”
QUESTION #3: Your March 5th opponent is Mexican veteran Cecilio Santos. He has a big edge in experience, as he fought in four world title bouts. How have you prepared for him and how will you overcome his experience advantage?
RAMOS: “I’ve watched a lot of his fights and I’ve seen the mistakes he makes. He’s tough, though. He reaches when he punches, so when he misses it’s going to be my turn to take over. Don’t blink, though. It might be a first-round knockout.”
QUESTION #4: What would a victory over an experienced former world title contender like Cecilio Santos mean for your career going forward?
RAMOS: “It would mean a lot. I would like to get a world title soon. Even Alejandro (Perez) was a big step for me. And a win here will be an even bigger one. When I get this win I it will be another step closer to the top. Whoever Dan Goossen and Al Haymon have for me I’m gonna fight.”
QUESTION #5: What can the fans at Pechanga and those watching on ESPN2 expect to see from Rico Ramos on March 5th?
RAMOS: “They’re going to see an exciting fight; however long it lasts. They’re going to see me give a really good fight. It’s gonna be awesome and I promise not to let my fans down!”
QUESTION #6: What are your goals for 2010?
RAMOS: “I want to try and become a world champion and the best boxer at 122 pounds. Hopefully, if my plans go right, it will happen this year.”
MICHAEL DALLAS, JR. READY FOR 2010
Six Questions with Junior Welterweight Michael Dallas, Jr., Who Put His Unbeaten Record on the Line Against Fabian Roque on Friday Night at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA
Los Angeles, CA (March 3, 2010) – Unbeaten junior welterweight Michael Dallas, Jr. will see his first action of 2010 when he takes on Mexican veteran Fabian Roque at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA on Friday night.
We go “Inside the Mind” of Michael Dallas, Jr. in the final, prefight days, with “Six Questions” for the hot, Jackie Kallen-managed prospect out of Bakersfield, CA.
QUESTION #1: How have you been and what have you been up to since your last bout?
DALLAS, JR.: “I’ve been good and staying busy. I haven’t fought since October, so I’ve just been in the gym and working on stuff that I can bring to the boxing ring this year.”
QUESTION #2: You will be facing veteran Fabian Luque on March 5th at Pechanga. What do you know about him?
DALLAS, JR.: “I don’t know much about him, but I heard he is a Mexican-style fighter so I am going to stick to my game plan and box him and looking for the openings.”
QUESTION #3: This will be your third fight at Pechanga. How do you like fighting there?
DALLAS, JR.: “I like Pechanga. You know a lot of the people in the crowd have been following me from the beginning and continue to follow me. I’m fighting for the third time there and want to show the fans improvement in my skills and give them a great fight.”
QUESTION #4: Nine of your 11 wins have been one-sided decisions. Does it concern you that you have only two knockouts or is that just not your game?
DALLAS, JR.: “I’m more of a boxer and I’ve been more about turning pro and learning the pro style, and now I am learning to pick my shots. The knockouts will come.”
QUESTION #5: What can the fans at Pechanga and those watching on ESPN2 expect to see from Michael Dallas, Jr. on March 5th?
DALLAS, JR.: “Somebody who is going to be busy boxing and being a skilled fighter in the ring and never stop trying to have the opponent counted out.”
QUESTION #6: What are your goals for 2010?
DALLAS, JR.: “One of my goals is to be able to show how people who have seen me fight how much my game has improved in the boxing. The other is to be ready to attain a top world rating.”
Tickets priced at $70 Premium Ringside (Rows 1-3), $60 (Ringside Rows 4-7), $45 (VIP rows 8-11) and $30 General Admission (Rows 12 and beyond) are available at the Pechanga Box Office from 10am to 10pm or by calling 1-877-2WIN and press 2. Doors open at 5:00 PM. First Bout is at 6:00 PM.