Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight Champion Saul ‘’Canelo’’ Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs) and WBC/WBA/IBF/IBO Middleweight Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) hosted an open media workout at L.A. LIVE ahead of their highly anticipated showdown. Canelo vs. Golovkin, the battle for the middleweight championship of the world, will take place on Sept. 16 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
The workout also featured televised Pay-View-View undercard fighters Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr., Randy “El Matador” Caballero, and Diego De La Hoya. Here’s what the Main Event fighters & their head trainers had to say during today’s media workout about their upcoming bouts:
Canelo– “I know what I have in front of me. I know he’s a strong fighter. He is the most dangerous opponent of my career, but I’m ready for him and what’s next to come. That’s why we prepared, and to give the fans a beautiful fight. This fight’s for you; this fight’s for all the fans who have been asking for it. We know that in fights, it takes two to tango. I’m ready, and you know what you’ll get from me. Let’s just hope he brings it as well.”
“I’m excited and happy that the fight is almost here. I’ve been focused like always with my training this camp. I’m going to do and use whatever I need to be one step ahead of Gennady in the ring. Without a doubt, our fight on September 16 will be one of the great fights in the history of boxing. Golovkin will bring out the best in me.”
Eddy Reynoso, head trainer to Canelo Alvarez– “This fight is huge for Mexico. There hasn’t been a fight like this since Pacquiao vs. Marquez that has peaked such interest.
[When asked about Gennady’s “Mexican Style”] “It makes me proud that foreign boxers would choose to emulate our Mexican boxing style. It’s proof of importance.
“Canelo and Gennady’s boxing styles will certainly test each other, and this is the type of fight that can result in a trilogy. This fight will bring boxing the credibility it once had in the past. The boxer that makes the best adjustments is the one that will win the fight.
“We are working hard in the gym. We know Golovkin is a strong boxer, but Saul is a better boxer, and his time is now.”
Golovkin– “This is a fight boxing can be proud of. It is boxing’s biggest fight. It is a fight for history. It is a real Mexican fight. Everyone will remember this fight. Canelo is No. 1 in Mexico, a country known for great fighters. He is very special.”
“Canelo has looked good and looked strong in his last few fights. That is why we have worked so hard in training camp. We have worked on new things. This is my biggest fight. I worked hard to become of champion of the world. I worked hard with Abel to stay champion of the world.”
“This is our Mexican Independence Day holiday weekend gift to boxing and to boxing fans. The fans have been asking for this fight for years. We are going to give a great battle. I am very excited to be finally fighting in Las Vegas, but I am more excited that it is against Canelo. The energy will be off the charts. Let me repeat — this is a fight boxing can be proud of.”
Abel Sanchez, head trainer to Gennady Golovkin– “All the big fights are in Vegas. Gennady has never had a fight of this magnitude. This is a fight for world supremacy. The middleweight division has always been the glory division so the winner of this fight will be considered a super star.
“The great fighters, the greatest warriors in history have been Mexican or Latino. Both Canelo and Gennady are bringing back this ‘Mexican Style’ of boxing.
“Sparring is sparring. Canelo was just a young boy of 19 or 20 years when he and Gennady sparred. He’s progressed immensely since then. My impression of Canelo after that sparring session was that he was fast and smart, had nice combinations and good movement, but he was only five years into his professional career at that time. I thought he could be a champion or a star someday.
“Gennady needs to beat Canelo. He needs to destroy Canelo; destroy the aura that he has right now.”
Canelo vs. Golovkin is a 12-round fight for the middleweight championship of the world presented by Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions and sponsored by Tecate “BORN BOLD”; Hennessy, Never Stop, Never Settle; O’Reilly Auto Parts. Better Parts, Better Prices…everyday!; Fred Loya Insurance; Interjet; Thor: Ragnarok; Fathom Events; Tsesnabank; and Capital Holdings. Diaz, Jr. vs. Lara is 12-round WBC Featherweight Title Eliminator bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Caballero vs. De La Hoya is a 10-round fight for the NABF Super Bantamweight Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Martin vs. Rojo is a 10-round lightweight bout for the WBC Continental Americas and vacant WBA Intercontinental Championships presented by Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Cancun Boxing. The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 16 at T-Mobile Arena and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at a special time of 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
HBO Sports will air the special “Under The Lights: Canelo/Golovkin” Saturday, Sept. 2 at 10:00 p.m. (E/PT) on HBO. It’s the final time the two will see each other until fight week unfolds in Las Vegas.
Episode #2 of 24/7 Canelo/Golovkin premieres Saturday, Sept. 9 on HBO immediately following the live Boxing After Dark triple header from the StubHub Center at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets for the closed circuit telecast of Canelo vs. Golovkin at Bellagio Resort & Casino, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel and Casino and Circus Circus Las Vegas are priced at $75, not including applicable fees. All seats are general admission and are currently on sale. Tickets may be purchased at any MGM Resorts International Box Office, by phone with a major credit card at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.