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Mayweather vs. Berto Undercard
Final Press Conference
Photos: Esther Lin - SHOWTIME
The fighters who will appear on the stacked,
action-packed “HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto”
undercard this Saturday, September 12 live on SHOWTIME
PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) from the MGM Grand Garden
Arena took part in their final press conference Thursday
at MGM Grand.
In the three pay-per-view fights preceding Saturday’s
main event between Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0, 26
KOs) and Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs), Roman “Rocky”
Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) will defend his WBO Junior
Lightweight Title in a rematch against four-time world
champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs), Badou
Jack “The Ripper” (19-1-1, 12 KOs) will make the first
defense of his WBC Super Middleweight World Title
against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves
(21-2, 16 KOs) and former three-time world champion and
Mexican power-puncher Jhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs)
will be opposed by Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo”
Oquendo (25-4, 16 KOs) in a 10-round 130-pound match.
Former IBF World Champion Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (27-7,
12 KOs) and longtime top-10 contender Vanes Martirosyan
(35-2-1, 21 KOs), who will clash in a scheduled 10-round
junior middleweight fight during “COUNTDOWN LIVE:
Mayweather vs. Berto” telecast live on SHOWTIME® (6:30
p.m./3:30 p.m. PT), were also in attendance.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
ROMAN MARTINEZ
“I understand that Salido is a strong fighter. We know
each other well. That is why we trained very hard for
this fight, even harder than for our first. I look
forward to gaining this victory for all of Puerto Rico.
“The exposure for this fight is amazing; the entire
world is going to be watching. We are so accustomed to
each other and we understand that we have to put forth a
tremendous performance on a card of this magnitude.
“I want to continue to be a world champion for all of
Puerto Rico. I’m in peak condition and I’m ready to get
the win.
“Salido can say whatever he wants. I know him and I was
able to knock him down in the first fight. I’m confident
I can go finish him.
“I understand why this fight is happening. Who wouldn’t
want to see us go at it again? But I thought I clearly
won the first time, and I am confident I will win again
on Saturday.’’
ORLANDO SALIDO
“You saw what happened the last time we fought. You know
this is going to be a spectacular matchup. I know Rocky
very well and I know he is a smart fighter. Last time I
got out of my game plan. This fight, I’m focused and
looking forward to a great fight.
“I’m a better fighter than he is. I know that Martinez
is going to run, but I’m in great condition to seek him
and get the victory.
“It’s about getting on the inside for me. Martinez is an
intelligent fighter and he knows how to use his reach.
If I can get inside his chest and attack the body I will
get the win.
“It’s going to be the best fight of the night. We’re
going to exchange blows and pick up where we left off.
I’m treating this like it is the biggest fight of my
career and I can’t wait to demonstrate my skills one
more time.”
BADOU JACK
“I’m very excited for this fight. We had a tremendous
camp. We’re ready to go. I don’t talk much. I’m all
about fighting.
“Groves is absolutely not in my head. I’m focused and
mentally strong on my task at hand. I won my biggest
fight that I’ve had up to date, he didn’t. He has had
two shots at the title and has lost them both.
“Groves got famous for getting knocked out by Carl
Froch. He’s a good fighter, but I’m very comfortable
that I’m going to beat him.
“I just stay focused on what I have to do. No one is
getting under my skin.
“I’ve always believed in myself. Things happen in
boxing. I worked hard and that’s how I got to this
moment.
“I’ve always been the underdog in my opinion. I like it.
It motivates me. I’m going to prove my worth Saturday
night.”
GEORGE GROVES
“It’s great to be here. I’m happy to have my shot at the
title. We’re ready. I’ve been traveling to Vegas to box
since I was 13-years-old. Year after year I’ve always
been successful out here, always with knockouts.
“British boxers have been doing well in the ring as of
late, but there is no extra pressure or incentive. We’re
very prepared. We know what we need to know about Jack.
We wish him luck, because he’s going to need it.
“It’s a huge fight for me with the title on the line.
I’ve been involved with higher competition but I haven’t
taken my eye off of Badou Jack. We’re looking forward to
a good win on Saturday.
“Training up in Big Bear was great. The first week I
realized the difference in the heat and altitude. But
mostly I love being isolated. Out here it’s peace, I’m
purely in camp. No other distractions.
“I’m confident of winning. I’m always confident of
winning. The best way to describe this fight is that
Badou Jack is a good fighter, but I’m a better fighter.
I’m better than him at every phase of the game.
JHONNY GONZALEZ
“This is my second fight at 130 pounds and I feel much
more comfortable, stronger, confident and secure than I
did at 126.
“It is tremendous to be on this fight card. This is
going to be a terrific fight. I’ve trained hard and I’m
ready to go on Saturday. The reality is, this is the
type of fight that can bring me a step closer to in
another world title.”
JONATHAN OQUENDO
“The main key, whether I box or slug, is to fight smart.
I’m very excited for this opportunity. It means a lot to
me to be on a card of this magnitude. I’m excited to
weigh in tomorrow.
“When you have Mexico vs. Puerto Rico, you get a war. I
have no doubt there will be blood in the ring. Jhonny
Gonzalez is very experienced and was a great champion,
and I thank him for taking this fight. I look forward to
getting in the ring Saturday.”
ISHE SMITH
“When I fought Cornelius Bundrage for the title, I knew
I had to win. I had a lot of pressure on me. There was
no doubt I had to win. It’s the same thing now. Vanes is
a good fighter, but I have to win. I’ve had to bring
myself up from the bottom.
“All of the other promoters gave up on me, but Leonard
Ellerbe and Floyd took a chance on me and I’ll always be
grateful.
“Vanes is a good fighter. It’s going to be a hell of a
fight. I have to win. I have no choice. “
VANES MARTIROSYAN
“Ishe is a good fighter. He’s been in with a lot of
tough guys. I have a lot of respect for him. It’s going
to be a really good fight.
“It’s a blessing to be here. I had a really good camp
and I’m excited that the fight is here. It’s great to be
a part of a show like this.
“I can’t wait for this fight. You’re all going to see
‘The Nightmare’ on Saturday night.”
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