Spence Jr, Garcia, Trainers & All Card Fighters Speak Ahead of Saturday’s Clash
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas 5/12/20.
Ahead of this Saturday’s unified welterweight world championship, champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and challenger two-division champion Danny “Swift” Garcia speak about their bout along with their respective trainers.
ERROL SPENCE JR.
“Fighting in my hometown is a lifelong dream. To have my comeback fight at home means the world to me. I won’t let this moment go to waste.
“I’ve put in a lot of hard work and showed the discipline I had to in order to get back to this position. Seeing my kids every day, it motivated me to give back to them and train hard in the gym. I made sure there were no outside distractions stopping me.
“We’ve been in the gym since February grinding hard and now we’re back. I’m ready. My coach has watched me closely and he’s seen that everything is on point and back to where it was. Everyone is going to see the same Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday night.
“I have a renewed focus. I’m back focused on the things that got me to the top of the mountain. That’s really about being back in the gym every day no matter what. I’m not just going to be in the gym when it’s fight time. We’re grinding hard every day. That’s what got me to being unified champion in the first place.
“Nobody forced me to fight Danny Garcia. But I wanted to face someone dangerous who would keep me focused and in the gym training hard. Fighting someone who’s a great fighter like Danny pushes me to another level. That’s the level I’m supposed to be at.
“I’m sharper than I’ve ever been and making weight easier than I ever did before. The focus is there just like it was in the start of my career. It’s a renewed focus and everything is clicking.
“I’m going to prove that I’m still the same Errol Spence Jr. I know that people have a lot of questions. Those questions need to be answered. I don’t think I would have answered them against lighter competition. People who haven’t been in the gym are going to see those answers on Saturday.
“This fight is ending with me winning. Life has taught me that this world isn’t perfect. It might not be perfect, but I’m going to get the victory.”
DANNY GARCIA
“Texas has always been great to me. I fought in the state a lot as a prospect. In 2012 I won my first world title in Houston. I have a lot of fans in the state and I feel like it’s a home away from home. It’s a special place for me. I don’t look at it like I’m on the road. I just see it as being here to handle business.
“I called Errol out a year ago and we were going to fight in January. But boxing is a sport of timing and the time is now. I feel great and had a tremendous camp. I did everything I was supposed to do. I just have to go out there Saturday night and do what I do best.
“I’m not worried about being the underdog. I know that I’m a great champion and a great fighter. That’s why I’m here today. I’m going to prove it again on Saturday night.
“This is a great opportunity. There’s no feeling like winning, and winning a world title is the best feeling in the world. I’ve taken it for granted before, but in this world you learn off of your mistakes and become a better man.
“We definitely know what’s at stake. We pushed ourselves to the limit every day. This is a big stage, but I’ve been here before. I’ve been headlining fights on the championship level for eight years. I’ve always been a top level fighter.
“We’ve worked on all kinds of things in the gym. We can box or bang on the inside. We can move around or walk him down. At this level, you have to be able to do everything. We had a lot of different sparring partners so that we’re prepared for Saturday night.
“You can say what you want to say at this point. I’m here for the fight of my life. Come Saturday night, I will be victorious.”
DERRICK JAMES, Spence’s Trainer
“The respect that Danny and Angel want, I give it to them, because I’ve seen what they’ve done throughout Danny’s career. Angel is supposed to believe in what he thinks his son is going to do. I feel the exact same way about what Errol is going to do. In the end, we will be victorious.
“You can’t make it to this level without believing in yourself. We don’t have to talk. Errol and I are quiet. If you believe in yourself, you don’t have to talk about it.
“Our respect for Danny makes us train harder and makes Errol focus even more. He’s focused on his task and that’s constantly proving he’s the best welterweight in the world.”
ANGEL GARCIA, Garcia’s Father & Trainer
“We had a great camp. We left everything in the gym. The job is done and we’re here now. Danny is going to go out there and show the world what a true champion is made of.
“We’ve been on pay-per-view before, it wasn’t our card, but to us it was. Nothing is going to phase Danny heading into this fight. It doesn’t matter what anyone on the outside is saying.
“Danny doesn’t just know how to win. He knows how to kick your ass.”
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA
“I’m going to give everyone a great fight on Saturday. I’m not worried about the change of opponent, because we prepared for everything that we could possibly see in the ring.
“We trained for everything, not just Jorge Cota. The switch in opponent is no problem. Ahmed is also an aggressive right handed fighter.
“I don’t take breaks. You can’t take breaks in this sport. In a regular job, if you take too long of a break, you get fired. This is a normal job for us, so we treat it like that by putting the work in day by day.
“Growing up we always had shorter fighters rushing us, so we had to learn how to fight inside and get stronger. We ended up doing both. Fighting on the inside is what I love to do.
“The timing has been right so far in my career so I’ve just been going with the flow. If I have the chance to keep taking opportunities like this, I’m going to keep doing it.
“We’ve both trained very hard to give everyone a great show. It could definitely steal the show. I’m going to do what I always do, which is go in there and win.”
HABIB AHMED
“I came into this fight as a replacement, but I was training hard for this opportunity. Now my time is here. I have to show the world who Habib Ahmed is. Everyone watching is going to see that on Saturday night.
“I’ve been training for half a year looking for an opportunity like this. My coach just kept pushing me every day telling me that the opportunity would come.
“I prepared myself with top sparring partners in the gym. So I’m very prepared to show the world what I’m able to do on Saturday.
“I think the experience that I have will help me in this fight. Fundora is a tall southpaw. I’ve been sparring guys who give me that look in the gym and that’s really important. Fundora is a good boxer who knows how to throw his hands, but we have a plan that I’m going to follow to get the win.
“Everything has its time. Sometimes you only get one chance and I have to make the most of it. I came to the U.S. for this chance. I have the will to make this happen for my career.
“If I listen to my coach, I can win this fight. We’re going to take it moment by moment, but I know for sure that I will end with a win Saturday.”
JOSELITO LOPEZ
“I’m thankful to be in this position and back in the ring this year. I’m prepared and ready for anything that happens on Saturday. I know Santana is going to bring the fight, so it’s definitely going to be exciting.
“The preparation is done in the gym. We’ve prepared for months for a tough fight. We had great sparring partners to prepare us. When I’m not fighting the best, I’m fighting the toughest guys out there. I’m ready to execute my game plan on Saturday night.
“I like fighting aggressive fighters, but I can adapt to anything. I’ve seen every type of fighter in the ring. I can use whatever game plan is necessary.
“Having a fighter like Santana makes for an exciting action packed fight. That’s’ what we’re fully expecting on Saturday night. This could easily be the fight of the night.
“Size has never been an issue for me fighting at welterweight. It’s about skill and how you use it. It’s about your timing and speed. I’ve worked on a lot of different game plans and styles with Robert Garcia. He’s gotten me back to the top level and I’m ready to perform.
“I’m a natural fighter. Sometimes those natural instincts come out and I make it a war. In the last few years I’ve improved so many parts of my game that I used to lack. We’ve upped every aspect of my game. I’m prepared for any top level fighter.”
FRANCISCO SANTANA
“Everybody tuning in, I’d suggest you don’t miss our fight. If you liked Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward, expect nothing less than that. This is the west coast Gatti vs. Ward. Josesito and me are all-action fighters.
“I always work hard in the gym. That’s always been my goal. But you also have to prepare yourself mentally for what is going to be a really hard fight. With our styles, it’s like fighting a reflection of yourself in the mirror.
“We’ve both faced tough opposition and high level fighters. We’ve also come up short some times, but we never give up. We both keep coming forward.
“At the end of the day, this is what we signed up for. Giving the fans a great fight. Our fighting styles are how we take life in general. No matter what life throws at us, we keep coming forward and never give up. That’s what you’re going to see Saturday.
“I’ve faced practically all the best fighters around my weight. I think that this is a fight where it’s go big or go home. I can show to the world, but also to myself, that I’m not just a solid fighter. I want to show that I’m an ‘A’ level fighter.
“We both have the opportunity to show everyone where we stand in this division. Every fighter’s dream is to be a world champion. This fight is one step closer to that goal. I’m facing a phenomenal fighter, so this is a great test.”
EDUARDO RAMIREZ
“I’m very happy and excited to be a part of this big show on Saturday. I can’t wait to get in the ring and put on a great performance.
“I’ve prepared well even with the change in opponent. I’m ready for anything that Miguel can bring to the ring because of that strong preparation.
“I’m very motivated for this fight and this opportunity. I want to become a world champion and I have to show that I’m ready for that level against Miguel Flores.
“Inside the ring, I love to fight the Mexican style. Even though we also work on our defense a lot. Most of all, I’m excited to bring this victory home to Mexico.
“I am excited for the atmosphere Saturday, but regardless of whether there are fans, I’m 100 percent prepared and motivated for this fight. The only thing on my mind is getting the victory Saturday night.”
MIGUEL FLORES
“It’s great to be part of another pay-per-view event. This was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. Ramirez is a tough fighter, so I’m ready for war. Saturday you’re in for a treat. We’re going to warm up the ring for Spence and Garcia.
“We took this opportunity on head first. If you don’t risk, you don’t win. I know Ramirez is tough, but we’re up for the challenge. The reward from this win is going to be a lot bigger than what we initially had set up.
“I learned a lot fighting Leo Santa Cruz. He just went toe-to-toe with one of the best pound for pound fighters in the sport in Gervonta Davis. I learned that I belong at that level. Hanging with one of the greats shows how strong I am mentally.
“I have a lot of respect for Eduardo Ramirez and what he can do. But in the end, I believe my skill set is much stronger than his.
“I think I’ve always been a featherweight. I couldn’t pass up the 130-pound title fight against Santa Cruz. I’ve always felt best at this weight. We couldn’t let this opportunity pass us by. We’re fighters, we always train hard. Once you’re in the ring, you have to tell yourself you’re able to do it, and you’ll be able to accomplish it.”
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