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Lopez vs. Gonzalez Final Press Conference
Luis Alberto "El Venado" Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) is ready to
kick-start Mexican Independence Day weekend with the second
defense of his world title.
Lopez will put his IBF featherweight world title on the line
against two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (26-3,
15 KOs) this Friday at American Bank Center in Corpus
Christi, Texas.
In the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, rising
Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs) faces
Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela Jr. (21-4, 20 KOs). In the
six-round lightweight ESPN-televised opener, Emiliano
Fernando Vargas (6-0, 5 KOs) steps up versus Spain's
Alejandro Guardado (5-0, 1 KO).
Lopez-Gonzalez, Zayas-Valenzuela and Vargas-Guardado will be
broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m.
ET/7 p.m. PT
The ESPN+-streamed undercard (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT)
features Mexican standouts Omar Aguilar (25-1, 24 KOs) and
Julio Luna (20-1-2, 11 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight
tilt.
Corpus Christi native John Rincon (7-0, 2 KOs) takes on
Puerto Rico's Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera (4-1-1, 2 KOs)
in a six-round welterweight clash, and Jamaine Ortiz
(16-1-1, 8 KOs) fights Antonio Moran (29-5-1, 20 KOs) in his
first fight since last year's valiant effort against Vasiliy
Lomachenko.
Former world title challenger Ruben Villa (20-1, 7 KOs) will
look to notch his second win of the year in an eight-round
featherweight battle against Brandon Valdes (15-3, 7 KOs),
while U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (9-0, 5 KOs) makes his
third appearance of 2023 in an eight-round junior
welterweight fight against Ricardo Quiroz (13-2, 7 KOs).
At Wednesday's press conference, this is what the fighters
had to say.
Luis Alberto Lopez
“I am happy to fight on an important date for Mexico where
Joet Gonzalez and I will be representing our country. We are
going to present a real war that night.”
“I respect him because he has had great fights. He has done
a great job in his career. But you know that when we get in
the ring there is no respect. I am going to take this belt
home for my family and for Mexico.”
“It’s going to be a total war. When there are two hungry
Mexicans in the ring, they always go at it with everything.
We know that Joet Gonzalez is tough. And my goal, as I’ve
said, is to knock him out.”
“We are ready as always. I am a fighter who knows how to
give exciting fights. I am a warrior who goes forward. They
know that when ‘El Venado’ gets in the ring, there will be a
great show.”
Joet Gonzalez
“This is my third {world title} opportunity. I’m truly
grateful. I’ve worked really hard every single time. And
every time I step into the ring, I give it my all. I’ve got
to win.”
“I’ve always trained hard. I’ve never taken any shortcuts.
I’ve always put in the hard work in the gym. But sometimes
it’s not your night. It is what it is. But I’m still here,
and I’m going to give it my all every time.”
“I’m expecting a great fight. It’s a big day for Mexico. All
I have to do is win and become the new IBF world champion.
Plain and simple. I can’t go home empty-handed. I’m bringing
that belt back home.”
Xander Zayas
“It’s been a great journey. I’m 16 fights in. I’ve been
growing. I’ve been learning. I’ve been getting better in and
outside of the ring. And I’m excited to put on a show this
Saturday night.”
"We’ve been training for the last three or four fights for a
ten-rounder. Now I get the opportunity, and I’m going to
take advantage of it. I’m facing a Mexican warrior who is
ready to put on a show."
"He has a lot of things behind him. Mexican Independence Day
is the day after. His family is here with him. He’s probably
going to have the crowd behind him. But I’m excited to put
on a show and win over the crowd.”
Roberto Valenzuela Jr.
“It is a very important date for me and for Mexico. So, we
will do our best to get a good result. This is my
opportunity to let everyone know who Roberto Valenzuela is.”
“We have been studying him. He is a great boxer. He actually
doesn't have many flaws. But I believe that my hunger to win
and move forward in my career is going to be the difference.
I know that if I win this fight, we will be on the path to
very big fights;.”
Omar Aguilar
“I feel very excited and happy. It is a great date for
Mexico and for boxing. So I feel honored to fight on these
dates, and what better way to do it than with these people
around me? I'm going to give my best in the ring."
“I learned a lot against Lindolfo Delgado. I matured with
that fight. It was a very interesting fight. I hope to take
all the experience that I’ve gained and apply in this fight.
We are ready."
Julio Luna
“I've come very well prepared, whether it lasts eight rounds
or if it ends before. If it ends earlier, even better. But
I’ve come prepared either way. Whenever two Mexicans get
into the same ring, it is a guaranteed war. I think this
will not be the exception.”
"The fight with Giovani Santillán gave me a lot of
experience. And now I'm trying to get rid of that thorn in
my side. I was not happy with that decision, and now I am
grateful for this second opportunity.”
Emiliano Fernando Vargas
“It’s a blessing to be here. It’s a great opportunity for me
to bring that excitement back to Corpus Christi. It’s
definitely something special for me and my father. He fought
here, and now I’m fighting here almost 20 years later. It’s
very special for us.”
“I’m insanely excited to make my ESPN debut. This is
definitely a step up with the opponent I have. It’s only
going to make it more of a show. The best comes out of me
when I’m facing better opposition. At the end of the day, to
get to that world championship level where I know I can
compete at and dominate, I’ve got to get through the
Spaniard come Friday.”
John Rincon
“I’ve been dreaming for a moment like this since I was a
kid. I’m finally here. The hard work is done. Friday night
I’m going to put on a great show. I’ll see you all then.”
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