‘Ortiz vs. Lopez’ Live This Saturday, June 23, From STAPLES Center, Los Angeles,
At 9 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®
LOS ANGELES (June 20, 2012) – Former World Champion Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO’s) of Ventura, Calif., former NABF Champion Josesito Lopez (29-4, 17 KO’s) of Riverside, Calif., former Three-Time World Champion Humberto “Zorrita” Soto and hard-hitting, top rated contender Lucas Matthysse took part in a final media workout on Wednesday at Fortune Boxing Gym in Los Angeles, just days before they do battle on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, June 23 live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
The vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Welterweight title is on the line in the 12-round Ortiz vs. Lopez bout while Soto (59-7-2, 34 KO’s), of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, will battle Trelew, Argentina native Matthysse (30-2, 28 KO’s) in 12-round co-featured bout for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight title.
Tickets priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50 are available online at www.staplescenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800)745-3000 or at STAPLES Center box office.
Here are what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:
VICTOR ORTIZ:
“Fans can expect a great show on Saturday night. There haven’t been many changes in this camp. I have always had a goal to be one of the greatest fighters of all time and that goal is still there. I have trained hard for a good fight and I am ready.
“Josesito is a hell of a fighter. I’m not taking anything away from him, but right now he is stepping into the wrong den. I will show it Saturday night.”
JOSESITO LOPEZ:
“I just recently started watching tapes. It does make a difference. I used to just let my coach watch, but it does give a clearer idea about what you have to look forward to. Training has been going great. I moved up in weight and it’s given me that much more energy. I’ve had the energy, power, and strength throughout camp to not have to slow down.
“I am at a position where there are bigger things I want to achieve, and that’s motivation right there. On Saturday it all starts. On Saturday the smarter fighter will win.”
Regarding the Canelo Alvarez vs. Ortiz announcement:
“I find it disrespectful to announce the fight ahead of time, but if anything it gives me more motivation to achieve what I want to achieve. I think (the result) is going to surprise everyone.”
HUMBERTO SOTO:
“I am a very professional fighter. I feel very good at 140 pounds. Whoever said I lost speed and power, well that’s not true. I proved with my last three fights in this division that I can handle it.”
With regards to his game plan:
“Things change in the ring. I have my game plan, but once the bell rings I am going to see what’s in front of me, but I always prepare to win. I know Matthysse has as well, so it’s going to make for a very good fight.”
LUCAS MATTHYSSE:
“I expect to win by KO. I think I was robbed against Zab Judah and Devon Alexander in the United States, so expect a KO. I don’t want it going to the judges on Saturday, so expect a good fight.
“I respect Soto because he was a three-time world champion. He comes from lighter divisions and my strength will help me win.
“I trained in Junin, Buenos Aires, for two months. I sparred with nine sparring partners. I am in the best shape of my life.”
“Ortiz vs. Lopez,” a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship taking place Saturday, June 23, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif., is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The co-feature will see former Three-Division World Champion Humberto “Zorrita” Soto battle Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight title which is presented in association with Baja Boxing Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader begins live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights airing on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Fonfara vs. Glen Johnson on July 13th
CHICAGO, IL (June 20, 2012) World ranked light heavyweight professional boxer Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara will take a short break from his intense training this Saturday morning, June 23rd to participate in the “RUN THE RIDGE’ 5K in Burr Ridge, Illinois.
The 24 year old Fonfara is spending the excessively hot summer Chicago days preparing for his showdown with former world champion Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson in the main event at “CROSSROADS” set for Friday, July 13th at the UIC Pavilion and broadcast on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
“Training has been terrific and I will be at my very best to face Johnson on July 13th. The heat in Chicago over the last week has worked to my advantage, particularly during training and sparring sessions” said Fonfara.
The “RUN THE RIDGE” 5K, sponsored by Codilis and Associates PC benefits the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation.
Continued Fonfara, “As part of my training I run almost every day and I’m happy to contribute my time to this most worthy cause.”
For more information on the “RUN THE RIDGE” 5K, visit their website at www.right-fit.com
Just 24 years old, Fonfara, 21-2-0 (12KO’s), has built a reputation in the vast Chicago Polish community and among local boxing fans as a hard punching, all action fighter with dynamite knockout power in both hands.
In his last start on March 16th, Fonfara brutally stopped former world champion Byron Mitchell in the third round in front of thousands of local supporters at the UIC Pavilion.
A native of Warsaw Poland, now based in Chicago, Fonfara is currently ranked #9 by the World Boxing Association.
Compiling a record of 51-16-2 with 35 knockouts, future Hall of Famer Glen Johnson holds wins against numerous boxing legends and former world champions including Roy Jones, Antonio Tarver, Clinton Woods and Chicago’s Montell Griffin.
The co-main event will feature a ten round welterweight battle between legendary two-time former world champion Jose Luis “EL Terrible” Castillo and longtime Chicago fan favorite Ivan “EL Marro” Popoca.
Presented by 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing, Round 3 and Blue Wave Boxing, advance tickets for “CROSSROADS”, priced at $151, $101, $51 and $31, can be obtained through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices, 312-226-5800 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office, 312-413-5740.
The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Harrison, at the corner of Harrison and Racine on the campus of University of Illinois-Chicago. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:45pm.
ABOUT 8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS
8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.
Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan George, world ranked light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, middleweight prospect Viktor Polyakov, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca and Adrian Granados along with welterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera.
For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit their new website, www.8countproductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8_Count and Facebook at “8 Count Productions”.