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Boxing trainer Orlando Cuellar goes  Back to the Future at 5th St. Gym

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MIAMI (October 26, 2016) — Internationally renowned boxing trainer Orlando Cuellar has come full circle,  right back to the famed 5th St. Gym in South Beach, where he once visited as a teenager to learn and now trains fighters out of six days a week.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Cuellar’s family resettled in Miami when he was three with Orlando living there through high school.  As an amateur boxer, Cuellar vividly remembers watching boxers at 5th St. Gym such as Cassius Clay, Willie Pastrano, Vinnie Curto and Florentino Fernandez, as well as legendary trainers, brothers Angelo and Chris Dundee.
“I watched and learned, picking up as much as much as I could,” Cuellar said.  “Now, I find myself working out of the 5th St. Gym for the past six weeks.  It’s been an incredible experience.  Every day, you never know who is going to walk through the doors there.  It’s been one of the best boxing gyms in the world for more than 50 years.  From the days dating back to Muhammad Ali, fighters have been attracted to this gym because of its rich history and great sparring, as well as to the area with South Beach’s restaurants, clubs and beach.  The warm, humid weather also makes it easier for fighters to lose weight running and training.
“(Owner) Dino Spencer is carrying on the 5th St. Gym’s tradition. Everyday I’m there is exciting for me.  Mixed ethnic groups train there and it’s a magnet for talent.   There’s sparring three days a week – I call it Spar-a-rama – and everybody’s welcome to challenge themselves.  The sparring is better than a lot of TV fights.
“5th St. Gym trainer Guy Laieta had been trying to convince me to join the team for the last five years.  I spoke to Dino on several occasions, expressing my desire to train fighters out of the 5th St. Gym.  He said, ‘Let’s do it.’ The success of the 5th St. Gym today has a lot to do with ownership.  Dino has a passion for boxing and he is very hospitable, which trickles down to his staff and fighters.  Good vibes all of the time!”
Cuellar left for Las Vegas in 1976 and, after he realized that being a boxer wasn’t in his best interest, he started training fighters there in 1981 out of Johnny Garcia’s Gym.  A year later, he shifted his base Brooklyn and started training fighters out of another boxing icon, Gleason’s Gym.  In 2000, he resettled in Miami.
Best known as world light heavyweight champion the head trainer of Glen Johnson, Cuellar also worked with future champions such as Nicolas Walters, Rances Barthelemy and Erslandy Lara, as well as Luis Franco, Aaron Davis and Juan Carlos Gomez, to name a few of the more notables.  Today, he’s the chief second for several top fighters including Antonio Tarver.
Recognized throughout boxing as a superior teacher, Cuellar’s success is mostly attributed to his training of fighters on an individual basis, focusing on their personal needs rather than giving all fighters the same instructions and attention.
“Each fighter needs personal and specific work to complement their God-given talents,” Cuellar explained.  “You can’t teach all fighters the same way.  I specialize on what I call old school meets new school.  Old school was upfront and personal to go 15 rounds, new school is about throwing more punches, more foot movement and fighting from the outside.  I teach doffense: defense + offense.  Punches aren’t vitamins, none should be taken.  Boxing is little more than a battle of reflexes; one fighters versus another, but the real trick is how the fighter uses his reflexes.  I teach my fighters how to turn the ring apron into a minefield.”
Boxing has played a huge role in Cuellar’s life.  Back in the 5th St. Gym is just another chapter in his unique life.
“I live through my fighters,” Cuellar concluded.  “Every victory is my proudest moment.  There are no big or little victories, every win is a happy moment because of all the hard work and sacrifices me and my fighter made during training camp.”
Orlando Cuellar is thrilled to have gone back to the future.
Boxcino, Showtime Boxing

ANDRZEJ FONFARA STOPS JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., WINS BY 9TH-ROUND TKO AT STUBHUB CENTER

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Amir Imam Remains Unbeaten

With Unanimous Decision Over Walter Castillo

 

Unbeaten Moises Flores Outpoints Oscar Escandon To Win

WBA Super Bantamweight Interim World Title; Omar Chavez Triumphs

By Decision, Fabian Maidana by Knockout on SHO EXTREME

 

Catch SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Replay
Monday, April 20, at 10 p.m.ET/PT on SHO EXTREME

 

 Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

CARSON, Calif. (April 18, 2015) – Confident and determined, Andrzej “The PolishPrince” Fonfara (27-3, 16 KOs) spoiled the ring return of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KOs) in resounding fashion Saturday night, flooring the former middleweight champion one time en route to a one-sided ninth-round TKO in the main event ofSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME.

 

Fonfara, of Chicago by way of Radon, Poland, dropped Chavez, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, with a wide left hook 50 seconds into the ninth round before a boisterous crowd of 8,636 predominately-Chavez fans at StubHub Center. It was the first time in 52 professional fights that Chavez had hit the canvas from a punch.

 

Upon returning to the corner, Chavez could be heard on the telecast telling trainer Joe Goossen that he had hurt his right leg and could no longer continue. Moments later, the fight was halted. The busier and more accurate fighter throughout, Fonfara was comfortably ahead on the three judges’ scorecards by scored of 89-80 and 88-81 twice after nine full rounds.

 

Offered an ecstatic Fonfara, who had his fair share of Polish fans at the venue: “I knew he was a tough fighter, quick and in good shape but when he hit me for the first time in the first round, I knew I was going to win this fight. He didn’t punch as hard as everybody said he did.

 

“I saw his punches easily coming in. I know I threw more punches. I was a little surprised that he did not come out for the (10th) but he was cut, had been getting beat up and had just got knocked down, so he knew what would happen if he came out.

 

“Chavez said before the fight that he didn’t think I could take his body punches. I think I took them pretty good and passed that test.

 

“I know there are things I can still work on in training to become a more complete boxer, buttonight was a dream come true. I want a rematch with (Light Heavyweight World Champion) Adonis Stevenson.

 

Said Chavez, the son of legendary Mexican icon, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. in the ring afterward and before he was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, “Maybe 170,172 pounds is too big for me, maybe I’ll go back down. I’m not sure what my future holds. It was a very tough fight. But I congratulate Andrzej.”

 

Goossen told reporters afterward that he had “stopped the fight. It was my decision. I didn’t like what I saw. ”

 

In the first half of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, undefeated world-ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (17-0, 14 KOs), of Davie, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y., won a lopsided 10-round decision over Walter “The Hammer” Castillo.

 

The talented, versatile, Imam, 24, controlled a fight that featured numerous exchanges especially early on with a left jab and straight right hand.

 

“My combinations were effective the whole night, we stuck to our gameplan and came out victorious,” said Imam. “I want any of the world champions next”.

 

Castillo, who saw a nine-fight winning streak come to an end, said “I thought I won the fight. I didn’t get credit for the punches I threw. The judge who scored it 100-90; well, that gives me no chance to win here. The cut bothered me in the early rounds, but was not a factor after.”

 

Earlier Saturday, on SHOWTIME EXTREME, undefeated Moises “El Chucky” Flores (23-0, 16 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico, captured the WBA Super Bantamweight Interim World Championship with a thrilling 12-round split decision over defending champion Oscar Escandon (24-2 16 KOs), of Tolima, Colombia.

 

Flores, making his 2015 debut and third start in a row in the United States, triumphed by the scores of 116-112 twice and 113-115.

 

An emotional Flores was near tears afterward. “This is a dream come true – more than a dream come true – for me,” he said. “I saw my family on the beach, eating meat. I saw my babies better dressed. For me this is a life-changing victory and, yes, I thought it was very, very close but I absolutely feel I won.

 

“I want to fight the best next, the top guys at 122 pounds and right now the top guy is Leo Santa Cruz. That’s who I’d like to fight next. I really want to thank all my team, from top to bottom, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. We’re very happy that we joined the Al Haymon team. We’re very loyal and we just really appreciate everything they’ve done for us.”

 

Escandon felt he’d done enough to win despite injuring the right index finger on his right hand in the seventh round.

 

“I did all that I could, everything was in my reach, but I think I broke or fractured my finger,” he said. “In boxing things happen that are out of your control. Because I hurt my hand, I couldn’t throw punches the way I wanted to with my right hand. I tried to do all I could with it. But I didn’t want to injure it further. I’m OK, but I definitely would love a rematch.”

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME co-feature, super welterweight Omar “El Businessman”Chavez (33-3-1, 22 KOs), of Culiacan, the younger brother of Chavez, Jr. and son of legendary Julio Cesar Sr., won an exciting, hard-fought, give-and-take eight-round unanimous decision over Richard Gutierrez (28-16-1, 17 KOs), of Arjona, Colombia.

Chavez won by the scores of 78-75 twice and 77-74. There were no knockdowns.

 

Unbeaten Argentine welterweight Fabian “TNT” Maidana (6-0, 5 KOs), of Santa Fe, Argentina, the brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, registered a second-round TKO (32 seconds into the round) over outclassed Cory Vom Baur (2-3), of Vancouver, Wash.

 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader will re-air this week as follows:

 

DAY                                                                 CHANNEL

Monday, April 20, 22, 10 p.m.. ET/PT  SHOWTIME Extreme

 

Tuesday, June 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT                SHO Extreme

 

Saturday’s two-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning Sunday, June 22 27.

 

Mauro Ranallo called the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING action with Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. In Spanish, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow with former world champion Raul Marquez serving as color commentator. Barry Tompkins called the SHOWTIME EXTREME action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst.

 

The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

 

# # #

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara” was a 12-round bout that took place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. And aired on SHOWTIME.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. vs. ANDRZEJ FONFARA AMIR IMAM vs. WALTER CASTILLO OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS 

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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®  Live On SHOWTIME® Saturday, April 18, (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) 

From StubHub Center In Carson, Calif. 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Click HERE To Download Photos From Friday’s Weigh-In
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.: 171 ½ Pounds
ANDRZEJ FONFARA: 171 ½ Pounds

AMIR IMAM: 140 Pounds
WALTER CASTILLO: 138 Pounds

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME:
OSCAR ESCANDON: 121 ¾ Pounds
MOISES FLORES: 121 ¼ Pounds

OMAR CHAVEZ: 159 Pounds
RICHARD GUTIERREZ: 158 ½ Pounds

(SHOWTIME EXTREME Swing Bout)
FABIAN MAIDANA: 146 ¼ Pounds
CORY VOM BAUR: 145 ½ pounds

# # #

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara”, a 12-round light heavyweight bout co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Amir Imam faces Walter Castillo in a 10-round jr. welterweight showdown. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets for the event are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.

boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. VS. ANDRZEJ FONFARA, AMIR IMAM VS. WALTER CASTILLO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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“I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.”

– Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

“I want to show the whole world how good I am when I win this fight on Saturday.” — Andrzej Fonfara

 

Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® This Saturday, April 18,

Live On SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

From StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT

 

INSIDE MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO Premieres Immediately
Following SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING TELECAST

 

Tickets for Saturday’s StubHub Fights Are On Sale!

 

LOS ANGELES (April 16, 2015) – Popular Mexican superstar and former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and dangerous brawler Andrzej Fonfara participated in the final the final press conference Thursday at Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, just two days before Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader.

 

Chavez (48-1-1, 32 KOs) of Culiacan, Mexico, and Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) of Chicago by way of Radon, Poland, will meet in the 12-round light heavyweight main event live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.  Chavez will make his eagerly awaited return to the ring and first start for new trainer Joe Goossen.

 

Also participating in today’s press conference was undefeated top 10-ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (16-0, 14 KOs), of Davie, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y. who will put his unblemished record on the line against fellow power-puncher Walter Castillo (25-2, 18 KOs) (25-2, 18 KOs), of Managua, Nicaragua, in the 10-round co-feature on SHOWTIME.

On SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8 p.m. ET/PT) this Saturday, WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Champion Oscar Escandon (24-1, 16 KOs), of Tolima, Colombia, will make the first defense of his 122-pound title when he faces undefeated Moises “El Chucky” Flores (22-0, 1 NC, 16 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico.

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME co-feature, Omar “El Businessman” Chavez (32-3-1, 22 KOs), of Culiacan, the younger brother of Chavez, Jr. and son of legendary Julio Cesar Sr., will face Richard Gutierrez (28-15-1, 17 KOs), of Arjona, Colombia, in an eight-round middleweight fight. Also featured on the telecast, time permitting, will be a six-round match between unbeaten Argentine welterweight Fabian “TNT” Maidana, of Santa Fe, Argentina, the brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, who’ll be opposed by Cory Vom Baur (2-2, 0 KOs), of Vancouver, Wash.

 

Tickets for the event co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, and are on sale online at AXS.com.

What the fighters, trainers and executives said Thursday:

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., Former World Champion

“I had a great training camp. I feel better than ever. I am ready for the fight.

 

“I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.

 

“I have worked on my boxing during my one year off, and I am very excited and motivated to get back in the ring.

 

“I have worked so hard for this fight because I am fighting in a new weight class. I must punch harder, so I have focused on getting stronger during this training camp.

 

“I have a great chin, I know how to take punches and my conditioning is great. A lot of fighters can take a punch, but I can take multiple punches and not be hurt.

 

“I think that Andrzej Fonfara is one of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division. Inside of boxing, everyone knows who Fonfara is. He knocked down one of the best boxers in the world in Adonis Stevenson.

 

“Fonfara is disciplined in the ring, but he doesn’t vary his punches.

 

“I understand that my dad didn’t want me to take this fight. I had bigger names I could’ve fought, but I think that Fonfara is a great challenge for me and I like the challenge.

 

“I would like to thank SHOWTIME for making this fight happen.”

 

 

ANDRZEJ FONFARA, World Title Challenger

“I’m prepared very well and I’m ready for this fight. It’s been a great camp like always. I train hard for each fight.  I’m a tough boxer who is feeling great. The weight is good and everything is perfect.

 

“I must put everything into Saturday night and I will win the fight.

 

“I must look even better than I did against Stevenson. Everyone said I looked good, but I lost the fight. I didn’t want congratulations because I did not win the fight. But this time I will win the fight.  I’m ready for a decision or for a knockout.

 

“I’m ready with a couple of plans. I don’t want to run around the ring, I want to fight tough. I’m going to use my jab and my right hand, which is my best punch.

 

“I’m not worried about what his father said about not fighting me. Chavez Jr. wants to fight and I will show him that his father was right.

 

“It doesn’t matter how I win, I want to win this fight and get my rematch with Adonis Stevenson.

 

“Chavez Jr. is a great fighter. He uses a lot of combinations and has a powerful punch that I must be ready for. I want to show the whole world how good I am when I win this fight on Saturday.

 

“If I get the chance, I’m going to knock him out. It’s boxing so you never know what will happen. I want to box round-by-round and win this fight.

 

“I lost the fight with Stevenson but I showed that I was a good boxer. I’m a much smarter fighter now because of that experience. That was a fight at the top championship level.

 

“It doesn’t matter what Chavez Jr. says at a press conference, we’ll be in the ring Saturdayand everything will happen there.

 

“Fan’s can expect heavy punches, knockdowns and a great fight.”

 

AMIR IMAM, Undefeated Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m confident going into this fight because of how I train. I have put my heart and soul into this sport since I moved to Florida three years ago. I left everything behind to better myself.

 

“I’m going to stay smart and composed in there and do everything I can to get the win.

 

“I don’t feel like I need the knockout to come away with a successful fight. But, you better believe that if there is an opportunity to knock him out, then I will take advantage of it.

 

“In 2015, I want to become a world champion. This is my breakout year. A lot of people have been buzzing about me. I want to become the WBC world champion, that’s what I’m heading for.

 

“I know he’s [Castillo] a good opponent, he’s got a great resume, and he’s coming to fight. He has a great record, so that alone shows what he’s capable of. Come Saturday night may the better man win.

 

“I’ve boxed styles like [his] plenty of times, but you never know, he could come out different Saturdaynight.

 

“I’m ready to put on a great show for the SHOWTIME audience.”

 

WALTER CASTILLO, Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m coming here to fight. I can tell you one thing, Amir Imam made a big mistake by taking this fight.

 

“I’ve fought a lot of tough fighters; my two losses were by decisions where I feel I was robbed. I’ve fought better fighters than Amir has.

 

“Come Saturday, I’m going to announce to the whole world that Walter Castillo is here to stay and he’s going to be a world champion.”

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ SR.

“Being in Los Angeles is like being in Mexico for me; I have had many great memories. I became the world champion for this first time here and my son also became the world champion for the first time here, too.

 

“Julio definitely has a very difficult fight ahead of him.

 

“If I was Julio’s manager, I wouldn’t have taken this fight. Fonfara is a difficult and tough fighter.

 

“My son wants to fight fighters of quality and wants credibility in boxing.

 

“Julio has worked and trained very hard for this fight .He has the capability to win and we expect that it will go very well.”

 

JOE GOOSSEN, Chavez’ Trainer

“Julio has a window here the next five, six, seven years that he can capitalize on.

 

“I think he’s left the childish stuff behind, and we’re all guilty of being childish.

 

“I think that Julio has surprised his father with his determination heading into this fight.

He’s got a left hook to the liver that just sends a shock through your body.

 

“He’s not soft. He’s a real fighter. I have been around enough fighters to know that he’s a real fighter.  Number one, he has the never-say- die attitude in there.

 

“We’re up against a very well-schooled, blue collar, workmanlike  fighter in Fonfara.

 

“He is an athletic, improvisational fighter, in that you don’t know where everything’s coming from.

 

“I’ve watched a lot of Fonfara tape, and he pretty much repeats what he does, but he repeats it well.

 

“This is going to be a battle. You’ve got two contrasting styles and personalities.

 

“Julio has 51 fights under his belt. He’s no rookie and he comes from a great bloodline.  (In the short time I’ve been with him, it has been) more of an association than a dictatorial effort between the two of us.

 

“Based on former camps, he’s never really extracted himself from comfortable surroundings and put himself in a position where he is completely isolated like he was in Lake Tahoe.”

 

SAM COLONNA, Fonfara’s Trainer

“Fonfara could turn it up whenever. He could be down on the scorecards and one punch he throws could change someone’s world. He’s proven in the past that he has power in both hands.

 

“The styles in this fight are perfect for each other. When people ask about the fight I say it could go either way, it depends on who catches the other first.

 

“I’m looking for Fonfara to dominate, but Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a warrior, he comes to fight, he knows how to go to the body like his father used to, so we’ve been working on all of these strategies.

 

“A knockout win would be a dream come true to me. That’s what I’ve been looking for all these years. Winning this huge fight would change everything for Fonfara and myself.

 

“This camp that Andrzej had was the best we’ve ever had. He worked hard, he had time to train and there’s no excuses.

 

“We’re coming to fight a war. Don’t forget that wars are won by strategy.

 

“People say to listen to your father. His father told him not to take this fight, but he took it anyway and that was a mistake.

 

“I see this fight not going past 10 rounds,  with us getting the knockout.”

 

 

STACY  MCKINLEY, Imam’s Trainer

“Amir has always trained very hard, but I did see a change in him in this training camp after the last fight. He has stepped up his training by two levels.

 

“He learned a lot about his fight against [Fidel Maldonado] under the bright SHOWTIME lights at the MGM Grand.

 

“Amir is always confident going into each fight, but he made a mistake in the Maldonado fight. He rolled his right hand and forgot about  the left hand and was knocked down. He had to pay for his mistakes but it’s all a learning experience, he still has only 16 professional fights under his belt.

 

“Castillo has a great jab and good combinations. A guy like that throws a lot of punches, but there is a technique to breaking down a fighter like that.

 

“We can’t spend a lot of time on the ropes, and we must go after his body because his body is weak. Castillo is going to get knocked out on Saturday.

 

“I think that Amir is going to open up a lot of eyes on Saturday.”

 

# # #

 

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara” is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. LOOKS TO MAKE A RESOUNDING STATEMENT WHEN HE RETURNS TO THE RING ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18 AT THE STUBHUB CENTER LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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LOS ANGELES MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES AND PHOTOS,

TEN GOOSE BOXING GYM, VAN NUYS, CALIF.

 

Click HERE For Photos

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

“I am fighting [Andrzej] Fonfara now because I like big opponents. I like the challenge of fighting good, hungry fighters.”

– Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

“Julio wants credibility in this sport and that’s why he made the decision to take this fight, even though it’s a dangerous decision.”

– Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.

 

ALL ACCESS: Chavez

http://s.sho.com/1I1ezrs

 

Tickets Still Available!

 

VAN NUYS, Calif.(April 13, 2015) – Former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. held a media workout on Friday in front of a packed house at Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Van Nuys, Calif., as the Mexican superstar prepares to make his SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® debut on Saturday, April 18, at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., live on SHOWTIME(10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

 

In the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGdoubleheader, Mexican superstar Chavez, Jr. (48-1-1, 32 KOs) meets dangerous brawler Andrzej Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) in a 12-round light heavyweight bout.

 

In the 10-round co-feature, top 10 ranked junior welterweight contender Amir Imam (16-0, 14 KOs) will aim to move one step closer to a world title opportunity when he makes his second start of 2015 against fellow power-puncher Walter Castillo (25-2, 18 KOs).

 

Julio Cesar Chavez, arguably the greatest Mexican fighter of all time, made an appearance during his son’s workout to show his support and offer words of encouragement.

 

Here’s what Chavez Jr., Julio Cesar Chavez and Joe Goossen (trainer) had to say Friday at the Los Angeles-area gym:

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., Former World Champion

“I am very focused going into this fight. I have changed a lot mentally this past year.

 

“I am fighting [Andrzej] Fonfara now because I like big opponents. I like the challenge of fighting good, hungry fighters. Just because Fonfara doesn’t have the name recognition of other fighters, it doesn’t make him an easy fighter. He’s tough.

 

“I feel comfortable at light heavyweight. Any time that you can add a couple pounds, you feel better. Although I will be fighting at 175, I feel most comfortable at 168 as a boxer. Since I have had one year off, it was a better choice to fight at this weight so that I could see how my body feels.

 

“Since I have added a few pounds, I have become a more physical and stronger boxer. The light heavyweight division has very big and physical contenders.

 

“Joe [Goossen] is a great trainer. He is a great motivator to his fighters and makes them better. I have worked very hard with him for the 35 days we spent together in Lake Tahoe.

 

“When I was training with Freddie Roach, it was very different. I think Freddie is a great trainer, but Joe also has a lot of experience and we have made a connection together.

 

“I really liked training in Lake Tahoe. The altitude, the ring, everything I needed was there. I felt very comfortable up there and I would like to come back there to train for a fight again.

 

“I promise a great fight, this is a very exciting fight. Fonfara isn’t an easy opponent, but he has never seen an opponent like me.”

 

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ SR.

“I am here to support and be with my son. I try to give him good advice. I tell him to train and prepare hard, and fortunately he is doing that well.

 

“I think Joe [Goossen] is doing a great job, we are on the same page. We are all focused on him [Chavez Jr.] getting to the fight well prepared. This fight requires great preparation because he is going into the fight at a weight that’s higher than his normal weight and he is facing a very tough opponent.

 

“He must go in 100 percent to win this fight.

 

“I think there has been a 180 degree turn in his career. I see this as a positive because he can really develop his ability and looks very well prepared.

 

“I would’ve liked to have seen him take a tune up fight instead because of his long layoff; I particularly didn’t want this fight.

 

“Julio [Chavez Jr.] wants credibility in this sport and that’s why he made the decision to take this fight, even though it’s a dangerous decision. He must be very prepared for this fight.”

 

 

JOE GOOSSEN, Chavez Jr.s’ Trainer

“I’ve been asked over the years who the one fighter was that I would like to work and my answer was always Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

“I’ve always really admired his style. I had known him as a kid, his father is a legend. It had always seemed like a dream job for me, and out of nowhere I got it.

 

“Lake Tahoe was tremendous for training camp. You are isolated and it’s not an easy thing. When you aren’t training you are sitting in a hotel room. You are deprived the comforts of home, but it really gives you that concentration and dedication factor and I think that will interpret into some positive results.

 

“I matured over my years, once I had a kid and a family and I think the same has happened with Julio. Life becomes clearer when you put away the immaturity. You realize that you have a future and if you really want to access what’s available to you, then you are going to have to work hard and dedicate yourself to it.

 

“Going to Lake Tahoe and really working hard is a sign of maturity and I think that’s what Julio is going through right now. He really showed it by leaving his home and spending an extended period of time up there. To me that is a great indicator that he is mature, dedicated and taking this fight very seriously.

 

“Of course I believe Julio is ready to fight Fonfara. The fight was made before I even came on board, but that’s the challenge that I am presented with. You must figure out a good game plan and figure out what you’re up against.

 

“Just because Julio has been out a year doesn’t mean that it’s going to be a cake walk for Fonfara. We went up to Lake Tahoe with one thing in mind, and that’s winning this fight and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

 

 

# # #

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara”, a 12-round light heavyweight bout co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Amir Imam faces Walter Castillo in a 10-round jr. welterweight showdown. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

Tickets for the event are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

INTERIM 122-POUND WORLD CHAMP OSCAR ESCANDON RISKS HIS TITLE AGAINST UNBEATEN MOISES FLORES SATURDAY, APRIL 18 LIVE ON SHOWTIME EXTREME®

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Younger Brother of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Will Also Be In Action from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

 

SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT;

And Precedes SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

®

Live on SHOWTIME® AT 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

 

Full Undercard Featuring Mix Of Exciting Veterans & Rising Prospects

 

Tickets Are On Sale!


CARSON, CALIF. (April 10, 2015) — Interim WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion Oscar Escandon (24-1, 16 KOs), of Tolima, Colombia, will make the first defense of his 122-pound title when he faces undefeated Moises “El Chucky” Flores (22-0, 1 NC, 16 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico, in the 12-round main event live on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8 p.m. ET/PT) on Saturday, April 18 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

 

Headlining the card, popular Mexican superstar and former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (48-1-1, 32 KOs) will make his SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGdebut when he meets dangerous brawler Andrzej Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).

 

In the 10-round co-feature of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Top 10 ranked junior welterweight contender Amir Imam (16-0, 14 KOs) will aim to move one step closer to a world title opportunity when he makes his second start of 2015 against fellow power-puncher Walter Castillo(25-2, 18 KOs).

 

Opening the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast, Omar “El Businessman” Chavez (32-3-1, 22 KOs), younger brother of Chavez, Jr. and son of legendary Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., will face Richard Gutierrez (28-15-1, 17 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight fight. Time permitting, unbeaten Argentine welterweight Fabian “TNT” Maidana (5-0, 4 KOs), brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana will also be featured in the featured in the telecast against an opponent to be named.

 

The action continues featuring a clash of middleweight contenders when Fernando Guerrero (26-3, 19 KOs) meets Abraham Han (23-2, 14 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight match. Plus, young undefeated prospects face tough challenges when Wes Nofire (16-0, 12 KOs) takes on Joell Godfrey (17-13-1, 6 KOs) in six-round heavyweight action, Jordan Shimmell (18-0, 15 KOs) faces Carlos Reyes (7-6-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round cruiserweight bout and Anthony Flores (6-0, 5 KOs) battles William Hughes (4-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round welterweight contest.

 

Also featured, Jessie Roman (17-2, 9 KOs) and 2012 Olympic Silver medalist from MongoliaTugstogt Nyambayar (1-0, 1 KO) in separate bouts.

 

Tickets for the event co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, and are on sale online at AXS.com.

 

The aggressive-minded, 30-year-old Escandon captured the crown in his last start via a 12-round split decision over Canadian southpaw Tyson Cave last Dec. 11. Escandon was making his United States debut and triumphed in a tight fight by the scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 113-115.

 

Escandon was a top amateur -he represented Colombia in the 2004 Olympic Games- before turning professional in June 2006. Twenty of his initial 21 fights took place in his native Colombia while he’s also fought in Argentina and Panama. His lone defeat came in his first attempt at the interim WBA  title on a split 12-round decision to Nehomar Cermenoon Aug. 10, 2013, in Panama. .

 

Flores, 28, is making his 2015 debut and third start in a row in the United States. A pro since August 2008, Flores’ first 20 fights took place in Mexico. He’s never gone more than seven full rounds although three of his fights have been scheduled for 10.

 

Known in Mexico for his show stopping-knockouts, the heavy-handed Flores registered three devastating knockouts in 2013, the biggest of which was a brutal second-round stoppage of longtime Mexican contender Rodolfo Hernandez in February of that year.

Flores recorded a seventh-round TKO in his last start over Mario Macias last Nov. 21 in Tulsa.

 

Omar Chavez, 25, the youngest son of Julio Sr. and three years younger than Julio Jr., will be making his U.S. and 2015 debut. All his fights have been in Mexico, where he turned pro at the tender age of 16 in December 2006. He was victorious in his first 28 bouts before losing a 10-round split decision to Jorge Paez Jr., the son of popular former world champion, Jorge “Maromero” Paez, in December 2011. Paez also outpointed Chavez across 10 rounds in July 2012, this time unanimously.

 

After the rematch with Paez, the 5-foot-8 Chavez won four consecutive times, including a 10-round decision over Daniel Sandoval in May 2014 to win the NABO 154-pound crown. But Chavez lost his last fight on a shocking 10-round decision to Ramon Alvarez, brother of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, on Sept. 27, 2014.

 

The 36-year-old Gutierrez is hoping to bounce back after suffering consecutive defeats. Fighting out of Miami by way of Colombia, Gutierrez has been battle-tested over the years having faced the likes ofJoshua Clottey, Vanes Martirosyan and Luis Carlos Abregu.

 

Maidana, 22, is nine years younger than Marcos. A pro since June 21, 2014, he has won his last four fights by knockout, all within two rounds.

 

An exciting, come-forward crowd-pleaser (like his big brother), Maidana will be making his third start at StubHub. He won a decision his first time out and by a first-round knockout over Phillip Sorianothe second time around.

 

A terrific amateur, Maidana was the Pan American Youth Championships Bronze Medalist and World Youth Championships Silver Medalist in 2010.

 

A former world title contender, Guerrero is looking to bounce back from losing to David Lemieux in 2014. With victories over Ishe Smith, Gabriel Rosado and Derrick Findley, the 28-year-old from the Dominican Republic but fighting out of Salisbury, Md. is eager to redeem himself and get back into the hunt for another world title opportunity.

 

A 30-year-old former kickboxing champion, Han, of El Paso, Texas, turned pro in 2007 and quickly adapted his skills to the boxing ring. He won his first 19 pro fights before losing a hard-fought bout with Glen Tapia in 2013. He rebounded to win four straight bouts before suffering a split-decision defeat to Sergio Mora his last time out.

 

An undefeated heavyweight prospect fighting out of Miami by way of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Nofiremakes his debut in California when he looks for win number 17.  The 28-year-old will battle the 34-year-old Godfrey out of East Saint Louis, Ill.

 

A former amateur standout who became the first heavyweight to win four Michigan Golden Gloves titles, Shimmell will attempt to remain undefeated and entertain the crowd with his seventh straight knockout against Reyes, 37, of Phoenix, Ariz. Most recently, the 26-year-old stopped Phil Williams in the fifth round in Dec. 2014.

 

A young prospect fighting out of Santa Ana, Calif., Roman will look to bounce back from losses in two of his last three fights after starting his career with 16 consecutive victories. The 23-year-old will be fighting at StubHub for the first time.

 

A hot welterweight prospect, the 24-year-old Flores will look to represent his hometown of Los Angeles when he takes on the 37-year-old Hughes out of Tacoma, Wash.  Opening the card is the 22-year-old 2012 Olympic Silver medalist out of Mongolia, Nyambayar who battles an opponent to be determined.

 

Brian Custer will call the SHOWTIME EXTREME action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst.

 

Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

UNDEFEATED 140-POUND CONTENDER AMIR IMAM TO FACE WALTER CASTILLO IN  CHAVEZ-FONFARA CO-FEATURE APRIL 18 ON SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

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Saturday, April 18, LIVE on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

From StubHub Center In Carson, Calif.

NEW YORK (April 8, 2015) – Top 10 ranked super lightweight contender Amir Imam (16-0, 14 KOs) will aim to move one step closer to a world title opportunity when he makes his second start of 2015 against fellow power-puncher Walter Castillo (25-2, 18 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, April 18, LIVE on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

 

In the main event from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., Mexican superstar Julio Cesar Chavez(48-1-1, 32 KOs) faces exciting brawler Andrzej Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs), of Chicago by way of Poland, in a 12-round light heavyweight bout.

 

One of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects, the 24-year-old Imam has knocked out 14 of his 16 professional opponents since turning pro in 2011.  The Albany, N.Y., native is coming off a fifth-round TKO of Fidel Maldonado Jr., in a brawl on Jan. 17 on SHOWTIME that featured five total knockdowns.  Imam, currently ranked No. 4 in the WBA and No. 7 in the WBC, touched the canvas for the first time in his career but bounced back and relied on his power to floor Maldonado a total of four times.

 

“I know Walter is a tough fighter, he comes forward and throws a lot of punches,” Imam said.  “But I will figure him out quickly once I get inside the ring.  I’m working on a lot of different things for this training camp, lots of tricky moves that are going to excite the fans.  It’s great to fight outdoors at StubHub Center and to showcase my talents on SHOWTIME.  I’m here to entertain and prove I’m ready for that title shot.”

 

Castillo (25-2, 18 KOs), of Managua, Nicaragua, has won nine straight and KO’d six of his last seven opponents.  The 26-year-old has fought mostly in Nicaragua and the only blemishes on his record are a split-decision loss in his pro debut and a controversial 2008 split decision on the road against former world champ Vicente Mosquera in Panama.  Castillo, who has knocked out his last four opponents inside of four rounds, will make his second start in the U.S. after winning his American debut via first round TKO last October.

 

“I’m very excited for this fight. I’ve been training hard for months now and can’t wait for the bell to ring,” Castillo said.  “Where I’m from we have a history of great warriors like Alexis Arguello and Rosendo Alvarez and on April 18 I’m looking to moving one step closer to adding my name to that list.  Imam may be undefeated but I’m ready for a war.”

 

# # #

Tickets for the event, which is co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

 

Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara, is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

SHOWTIME Sports® Award-Winning Series Returns With “ALL ACCESS: Chavez”; One-Episode Special Premieres This Friday, April 10 on SHOWTIME®

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Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. & His Legendary Father In Training Camp, Preparing For His SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Debut on Saturday, April 18, live on SHOWTIME

 

VIDEO PREVIEW LINK: http://s.sho.com/1c5cLDQ

 

“I had a hard life so yes, I am angry with him.” – Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

 

“I had all Mexico and the world at my feet at that time. But it still didn’t fill the void…So what was it that I looked for? The easiest and stupidest things…drugs and alcohol.” – Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr.

 

NEW YORK (April 7, 2015) –The Sports Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS returns to examine the life of Mexican superstar Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., as he prepares to make his SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® debut against dangerous brawler Andrzej Fonfara on Saturday, April 18, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT) from the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

 

ALL ACCESS: Chavez premieres Friday, April 10, immediately following the live ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

 

ALL ACCESS: Chavez is written and reported by SHOWTIME Sports contributor Mark Kriegel. Author of acclaimed biographies “The Good Son: The Life of Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini” and “Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich,” Kriegel has long focused on the conflicts and complexities that beset fathers and sons in sports.

 

With unprecedented access to the young star–Mexico’s first and only middleweight world champion–and his famous father, ALL ACCESSuncovers the stormy yet loving relationship between Junior and his legendary father.

 

No question remains unanswered in a series of interviews at Junior’s high-altitude camp in Lake Tahoe, where his father once trained. What was it like to grow up as the son of Mexico’s greatest fighter? What price does a fighter pay for drugs and alcohol? And what does it do to his family?

 

Only the ending remains in doubt: Is Junior being punished for the sins of his father, or is he doomed to repeat them?

 

“Fame can be a disease, like addiction,” says Kriegel. “And this family has battled both. Junior and Senior weren’t merely candid. They were confessional. And, I think, courageous, too.”

 

With ALL ACCESS cameras entrenched in camp, viewers will meet three generations of Mexico’s most famous fighting family as the 29-year-old Junior navigates a crossroads of his career.

 

ALL ACCESS: CHAVEZ premieres on SHOWTIME with multiple encore presentations. ALL ACCESS will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and online atSHO.com/Sports.

 

# # #

 

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara”, is a 12-round bout to takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

Tickets for the event, which is co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, go on sale today at 12 p.m. PT and are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.-ANDRZEJ FONFARA MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

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Kelly Swanson

 

Thanks, everybody, for joining us today for this great call to officially announce a very exciting match up.  And without further ado, to talk a little bit about that match up, I’m going to introduce Chris DeBlasio, Vice President of Sports Communications for SHOWTIME.

 

Chris DeBlasio

 

Thanks, Kelly.  I’m going to keep this brief.  I know we want to talk to the fighters on this card.  But I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t represent for Stephen Espinoza, who couldn’t be on the call  today, how very excited we are for the debut of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on our network on Saturday, April 18, for our SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader. It’s going to be a great night.  On the call with us and in the ring across from Julio Chavez Jr. on that night is Andrzej Fonfara, a man that we know that really comes to fight.  He brought it on his first fight on SHOWTIME last year when he fought Adonis Stevenson. And that was a thrilling affair.  And we’re looking forward to a real test and a great challenge for Chavez Jr.  And we’re excited to have him on behalf of all of us at SHOWTIME.  We welcome both of you guys and, of course, thanks to all the press for being on the call.  Thank you, Kelly.

 

K. Swanson

 

Thank you, everybody.  Okay. We’re going to go ahead and introduce the fighters and their trainers for you.  First we have Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., former middleweight world champion, Andrzej Fonfara, the former world title challenger, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. — we all know who he is, and certainly out of respect to the great legend that he is, we welcome him to the call — Joe Goossen, who is Julio’s trainer, and Sam Colonna, who is Fonfara’s trainer.

 

So, at this time, what I’d like to do is ask Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to make opening remarks about this fight and a little bit about what he’s doing now in training camp and just how he feels about the fight.

 

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

I’m training very well.  I’m training (at a higher) level than the best.  I’m doing more physical training (and I’m getting closer to the) weight of 172 pounds.  And I think I’m in great shape, you know?  I have a lot of time and don’t stay in this kind of shape.

 

K. Swanson

 

Okay.  Now let’s hear from Andrzej Fonfara.  Andrzej, could you talk a little bit and tell us how you feel about fighting Jr.?

 

Andrzej Fonfara

 

I’m feeling great.  I think Chavez Jr. is a great fighter, world champion.  And you know, it’s good fight for me.  I trained hard for the fight.  We got very good camp.  Now, we start a sparring session.  You know, my weight is good.  My training’s–all trainings are good.  I spent two weeks in Houston.  I’m trained there, too.  Then I’m back to Chicago.  We finished camp here.  And I’m–you know, I’m ready for meet Chavez in the ring April 18and show him I’m better boxer.

 

K. Swanson

 

Okay.  Excellent.  Thank you so much.  Next we’ll have the trainers say something very brief before we turn it over to the media for call.  So, Joe Goossen, he is Julio Cesar Chavez’s trainer at this point.  Joe, would you like to make a couple comments?

 

Joe Goossen

 

Thank you.  Number one, I want to thank SHOWTIME because we’re very excited about performing for SHOWTIME on Julio’s debut fight with SHOWTIME.  And that being said, you know, Julio is very, very serious about this fight.  Like Fonfara, he trained for a few weeks in Los Angeles.  And now, we’re up in Lake Tahoe, up in the high altitude in the mountains here.  It’s very secluded.  It’s very concentrated work.  Julio is — I can just tell you this — is very dedicated to this fight, mentally, physically, and spiritually.  He’s shown me that he’s willing to work very hard for this fight, which always works out well when a fighter cooperates in training.  And he’s doing that 110 percent.  And I can’t tell you how happy I am, number one, to be working with Julio Jr. It’s been something that I’ve always wanted to do.  And of course, I know his father very well.  And I’m very honored to be a part of the team.  And I can’t wait ’til April 18 to display all of Julio’s talents and to go there.  And we’ve got one objective.  And that’s to win the fight.  With the way Julio’s training, I’m very confident in what we’re doing right now.  So, I’m very happy with that.  And I’m sure Andrzej’s doing the same thing, training very hard.  With that being said, thank you.

 

K. Swanson

 

Thank you. Now, Sam Colonna, if you could give us a comment, and then we’ll open it up for questions.

 

Sam Colonna

 

Well, first, I’d like to thank everybody for getting this together.  It’s an honor to be part of it.  But, you know, before they picked Julio Cesar Chavez to fight, they were throwing names at us.  And I would say no.  And another name came.  I would say no.  As soon as they said, ‘What about Julio Cesar Chavez,’ I said, ‘That’s the fight we want.’  The style is perfect for us.  He comes right at us.  And it’s going to be a great fight for Andrzej to show what the power and the dedication he has towards it.  He knows that this fight here is going to bring him to the top.  And it’s an honor to fight Julio Cesar Chavez.  It’s somebody I wanted him to fight for years.  But the weight was never the same.  Andrzej moved up.  And then now, it’s perfect.  So, it’s going to be a great fight.  I think we’re going to bring a lot of action to this fight.  And it’s going to be a jammed action fight.  I’m glad that this fight happened.  And I can’t wait for April 18.

 

K. Swanson

 

Okay.  Thank you.  And now, last but not least, I’d like to get a couple comments from Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. about his son fighting Fonfara and what he anticipates that will be like.  Julio?

 

Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.

 

I didn’t want this fight.  I know that, for my son, I know it’s a hard fight.  It’s a difficult fight.  And I didn’t want it.  Fonfara is very strong.  But my son wanted this fight.  He wanted fighters that have a high category.  He wanted a hard fight.  And he believed that winning this fight will give him more credibility.  And that’s why he chose Fonfara.

 

Q

This is for Chavez Jr.  Julio, how do you feel coming off a year layoff?

 

J. Cesar Chavez Jr.

I feel good. I know it’s difficult when you’re off. It’s difficult to regain your timing. But I’ve been training, working at my skills.  And I think, you know, I’m very confident because I have spent all my life in boxing. I’m in the 13th year of my professional career. So I don’t think this is a problem because this fight is at 172 pounds. I don’t need to have a problem with weight.  And at 172, I feel good in sparring.  I feel good in training.  And I think I’m ready for this fight and ready to win another world title.

 

Q

Speaking of that world title, how do you feel about guys like Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev?

 

J. Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

Oh, these guys very strong.  But I think, after this fight, I’m going down to 168 and stay in this weight class. One or two years ago I moved to 175 but that was too much for my body. Now, I’m 168.  But, for the one year off, this fight is at 172.

 

Q

Andrzej, how do you feel physically coming off the Adonis Stevenson battle?

 

A. Fonfara

 

I think I showed againstStevenson that I was a fighter. Physically, I feel good now. Since that fight, I’ve been training much harder.  I think, because of that fight, I’m a better boxer because, you know, I learn a lot in fights.  I’m ready for Chavez, I’ve trained hard for this fight, like, you know, Chavez says.  He’s trained hard for this fight. But I always train hard.  It doesn’t matter if it’s Chavez or whoever else, I’m always training hard.

 

Q

This is for both Julio Jr. and Sr.  For Jr., obviously, there’s a benefit and maybe a drawback, too, to having such a famous name.  Benefit is that everybody knows your father and what he accomplished.  And that brings you attention early in your career as it has.  The possible drawback is that you’re always going to be compared to him, which some would say was almost an impossible, impossibly high standard to try to live up to.  From your perspective and also from your father’s, what about that, the burden and the benefit of having such a famous name?

 

J. Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

I think I’m well respected because I’m world champion.  But, you know, I think this is an advantage. But this doesn’t help me in the ring. I’m proven in the ring. I beat the champions.  I beat the number one, number two, number three and number four at 168 pounds. And I’ve showed everybody, the people, that I can fight, too. I am a good fighter and (I put on good fights). And people like see my fights. My style is a good style for the people.  And I think this fight, too, the style of Fonfara is to come to fight, he’s a fighter with a great heart and great chin.  And both of us will make a great fight.

 

J. Cesar Chavez Sr.

 

The name has helped.  Obviously, it’s helped get attention, but we are very different.  He — my son fights at a higher weight than I fought.  And so, there’s a lot of difference.  Physically, he’s a lot bigger than I was.  So, there’s good and bad, and we understand that.  But, he’s his own fighter just like I was.

 

Q

Sam, you mentioned earlier that you had a lot of names mentioned for Andrzej before you finally settled on Chavez.  Are you willing to reveal some of those names?

 

 

S. Colonna

You know what?  I really don’t have them right in front of me.  But, there were at least three, four different guys they were throwing at us.  And as soon as they said Chavez, I go, ‘That’s the guy we want,’ because, like I said earlier, the style is perfect for us.  And we don’t have to look for him too much, you know?  He’s going to be right there for us.  So, the style is really, really mixed good.

 

Q

Andrzej, you’ve fought at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight.  How does it feel fighting at 172?  And do you see yourself moving possibly down in weight in the near future, or do you feel you’re a true light heavyweight?

 

A. Fonfara

I’m a light heavyweight fighter. That’s because I’m fighting with Chavez.  That’s why we have a catch-weight.  And that’s why I go down. I usually fight at 175, at least for maybe two years.  And this my weight.  It’s not impossible for me to go, like, two, three pounds down because, you know, when I fought Stevenson last year in May, I was 173 then.  And I felt good then.  Two pounds down is not problem for me.  Should be good, you know?  Just more diet, more work in the last week.  And I should be good.

 

Q

Julio Jr., how much of a relief is it for you to finally fight after a year?  I know it’s been trying for you with the whole lawsuit and everything.  So, how does it feel for you to know you finally have a fight up ahead?

 

J. Cesar Chavez Jr.

I feel good. I feel great, you know, because this problem offended me a lot mentally more than physically.  But I’m really happy that this problem is better now. I have a fight in front of me.  And you know, I’m not remembering anything about that.  I’m just focusing on the fight April 18 for Fonfara. I feel good, I feel great.  You know I can’t tell you with words how I feel because I’m better to the ring. (But I’m very excited to be returning) to the ring.

 

Q

Joe Goossen, which of the skills of Julio Cesar are translating the best for the light heavyweight division? 

 

J. Goossen

 

Well, first off, Julio is a well-rounded fighter.  I mean, we’ve seen him box before.  And we’ve seen him pressure before.  I don’t want to tip my hand on what we’re going to do but we have studied the films.  We’ve talked about the films of Andrzej.  And of course, we’re developing a game plan.  I think the weight — basically, 172 is very close to 68.  It’s a weight he’s fought at before. So I don’t think the weight is going to be a problem at all.  The way he’s working right now and the weight he’s at right now, I think we’re going to be able to hit the 172 mark quite easily.  But, again, as far as what skills he has that we’re going to bring to the table is something that I think is private to us.  But Julio Jr. is a multi-talented fighter.  Just watching him spar yesterday, when we needed a box, he did it beautifully.  And when we needed pressure in a few rounds, he pulled it off exactly how I like it.  So I’m very confident that whatever style we bring and game plan we bring, we’re going to be successful with it.

 

Q

Can you make the weight?

 

J. Cesar Chavez Jr.

Yes.  Sure.  I’ll make 172 because I pay $100,000 per a pound (if I don’t). I can’t pay that kind of money. I’ve never weighed more than 172 in a fight. The only fight I made 172 is with Brian Vera, the first fight.  But in all the rest of my career of boxing, in all my championship bouts (I never didn’t make weight). I don’t know why you ask me that. Okay.  Maybe, I’m a bigger fighter, you know?  I know I am a bigger fighter.  But, I don’t have problems. And (if he does) not make the weight, maybe I’ll win $100,000 more.

 

Q

So, Julio, you’re hoping for $100,000 from Andrzej Fonfara, but you’re saying that he should not hope for $100,000 from you?

 

J. Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

No, no.  I think that the fight’s in the right way.  And he’s not going to take advantage of anybody, you know, because (I come in lighter). You know, the weight is pretty good I think for both fighters.

 

Q

Can you talk about your decision to have Joe Goossen in your corner, you feel, as a result of the Vera fight, that you owe the fans a performance?

 

J. Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

Well, I’ve known Joe Goossen for a long time.  He’s a great trainer.  He’s a great person.  He’s somebody that motivates fighters.  And we have a true connection.  We’ve connected again.  And I like him a lot.  I like that he’s a hard worker, just like me.  And I think, together, we’re going to do really well.  With regards to the performance, I can tell you that, this show is for the people.  It’s going to be a great fight.  It’s going to be a better fight.  And now, with my new promotion company and with knowing who my opponent is going to be in advance, I think it’s going to be a great night.

 

 K. Swanson

 

That was our last question.  So, again, we really appreciate the fighters taking time to join us.  We look forward to this fantastic matchup between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andrzej Fonfara on Saturday, April 18, from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., live on SHOWTIME at 10:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. PT.  Thank you so much for joining us.

 

*          *          *

 

Tickets for the event, which is co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

 

Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara, is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

MEXICAN SUPERSTAR JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. RETURNS TO THE RING AGAINST EXCITING BRAWLER ANDRZEJ FONFARA AT STUBHUB CENTER IN CARSON, CALIF.

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Chavez Jr. Making SHOWTIME® Debut Saturday, April 18,

Live At 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT

 

Tickets Go On Sale Today At 12 P.M. PT!

 

CARSON, Calif. (March 9, 2015) – The return of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-1-1, 32 KOs) comes to StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., onSaturday April 18 as the Mexican superstar makes his SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® debut against exciting brawler Andrzej Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) in a 12-round light heavyweight bout, live onSHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).

 

Tickets for the event, which is co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, go on sale today at 12 p.m. PT and are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

 

“I’m excited to get back in the ring and remind everyone that I’m one of the best fighters in the world,” said Chavez Jr. “I have a tough test onApril 18, but I am going to pass with flying colors and I look forward to taking on any challengers after that.”

 

“This is another great opportunity for me and I’m very thankful to have it,” said Fonfara. “I’ve been in there with the best fighters in the world and as always I’m going to try to put on a show for the fans and walk out victorious.”

 

“Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andrzej Fonfara are two of the hardest punching boxers in the sport” said Tom Brown of Goossen Promotions. “This fight will be an epic battle of wills and will add another chapter to the long list of outstanding fights that have taken place at the StubHub Center.”

 

“As a fight fan, I love watching Julio fight.  As a network executive, I’m thrilled for him to make his SHOWTIME debut on April 18,” saidStephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.  “Julio is one of the most exciting and popular boxers in the sport today, and with a new team behind him, we expect big things from him in 2015.  But Andrzej Fonfara is a real test, and he’s proven he’s not intimidated by any opponent.”

 

The oldest son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, the 29-year-old is a former middleweight world champion looking to earn himself another world title shot. Born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, Chavez Jr. turned pro in 2003 and won his first 23 fights. His first blemish came against Carlos Molina, who he fought to a draw in 2005, before coming back to beat him two months later. After running his record to 41-0-1, he earned a middleweight world title shot against Sebastian Zbik, which he won by majority decision. He would go on to successfully defend his belt against Peter Manfredo Jr., Marco Antonio Rubio and Andy Lee before losing a decision in 2012 to Sergio Martinez. Most recently Chavez Jr. defeated rugged contender Bryan Vera twice, first in 2013 and again in their 2014 rematch.

 

Born in Warsaw, Poland and fighting out of Chicago, Fonfara is a late-bloomer who has put together a string of impressive recent performances. Last year, the 27-year-old battled lineal light heavyweight world champion Adonis Stevenson for 12 tough rounds and despite dropping a decision, he impressed a lot of fans with his grit and determination. Victorious over former world champions Byron Mitchell, Glen Johnson and Gabriel Campillo, Fonfara’s most recent win came in November 2014 when he dominated Doudou Ngumbu in his adopted home of Chicago, earning him this chance against Chavez Jr.

 

Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara, is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.