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Rey Vargas vs. O’Shaquie Foster
Final Press Conference
Quotes
Undefeated two-division champion Rey Vargas and top
130-pound contender O’Shaquie Foster squared off and
exchanged verbal barbs at Thursday’s final press conference
before they meet for the vacant WBC Super Featherweight
World Championship this Saturday, February 11 live on
SHOWTIME from the Alamodome in San Antonio in an event
presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The back and forth between main event combatants saw Vargas
suggest that Foster has lost sleep from the stress of having
to prepare for him, with Foster countering that he’s going
to send Vargas back down to featherweight after their
showdown.
The press conference also featured former champion and San
Antonio native Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and Puerto Rico’s
Jovanie Santiago, who meet in the 10-round welterweight
co-main event, plus hard-hitting unbeaten heavyweights
Lenier Peró and Viktor Faust, who kick off the SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT in a
10-round matchup. The SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN show starts
at 6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT and contains a four-bout
streaming presentation on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube
channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page.
Having already captured titles at 122 and 126 pounds,
including the WBC Featherweight Title he still holds, Vargas
will look to put his name alongside fellow Mexican greats
including Julio Cesar Chavez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio
Barrera as three-division champions from the boxing-rich
nation. He faces stiff competition in Foster, who’s won nine
consecutive bouts heading into Saturday night as he seeks to
become the first world champion from his native Orange,
Texas.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from The
Westin San Antonio North:
REY VARGAS
“The Alamodome has seen me crowned champion before and
they’re going to see it again on Saturday night.
“It’s a big goal of mine to become part of the club of
three-division champions. I want to be one of the best that
there’s ever been in Mexican boxing.
“O’Shaquie is a quality fighter with a strong Olympic style.
But I’ve fought opponents with all different styles. What
I’ve noticed from watching O’Shaquie is that he’s kind of
veered from his path and started to do some things
differently ahead of this fight. It makes me think he’s
feeling the pressure of this fight.
“He knows that I’m not just anybody and I know he’s lost
sleep from the anxiety of getting ready to face me. I know
that he likes to fight from either stance, but I’ve got a
plan to counter anything he brings.
“I’m focused on this fight and I’m not thinking about
anything else before handling what’s in front of me. There
are great opponents out there for me to face at 130 pounds,
but I’m putting everything into this fight first.
“I have no problem with Foster saying he wants to send me
back to 126, because I know that I would beat him at 126,
130 or 135 pounds. I can guarantee that.
“Foster better wake up, because he isn’t going to be able to
sleep through this fight. We’re coming for him and we’re
coming to leave with the title.
“The best way to tell the world about me is by winning
another world title. I’ve been a solid world champion for a
while and now I’m going to add myself to the same list as
the greatest Mexican fighters of all time.”
O’SHAQUIE FOSTER
“This means the world to me. Being in my home state, I can’t
even explain the feeling. I’m just ready to go.
“I’m coming to spoil the show. I know he’s going to have the
fans on his side, but by the end of the night the world is
going to see what I’m really made of.
“My confidence never left after I lost a fight. All I needed
to do was focus and dedicate myself to my craft. I always
felt like I was one of the most talented fighters, I just
needed to put in the work. And that’s what we did.
“I just woke up, so I’m not losing any sleep thinking about
him. He can talk that talk, but he better know that I’m not
Mark Magsayo or any of those guys he’s fought. The strength
and the speed is different.
“He’s going to feel me. Whether it’s the first round or
whatever round I stop him in, or if it goes all 12 rounds,
he’s going to take a beating the whole time.
“He sounds a little nervous over there. He’s talking about
what stance I’m gonna use. I’m not worried about what he’s
bringing. I know what I come to the table with. I’m gonna be
sharp and show him what I’m really about.
“I’d love to unify titles after a win on Saturday, but first
we have to send Rey back down to 126 pounds.
“The fans are going to see speed, strength, IQ and
fireworks. I’m here to put on a show and prove to the world
that O’Shaquie is here to stay.”
MARIO BARRIOS
“These next few years are going to be really important for
the rest of my career. I believe that having Bob Santos back
as my trainer is the right move. Being in Las Vegas will
help me get the most out of my career.
“The victory on Saturday is the most important thing right
now. I have to prove that I’m still an elite fighter.
Santiago is a hell of a fighter, but this is just another
step for me to get back to those big fights.
“I promised my city a world title and I was able to deliver
in 2019. The goal is the same at welterweight. I think with
my team, we’re more than capable of doing that again.
“I love fighting back home in San Antonio. I’m looking
forward to going out there on Saturday and seeing the
Alamodome packed.
“I know Santiago is coming with it. Him taking a fight with
me in my city says a lot about him. Whether he wants to box,
or whether he wants to go toe-to-toe, we’re going to be
ready for anything on Saturday.”
JOVANIE SANTIAGO
“Mexico vs. Puerto Rico is always a war. We’re going to give
it our all in the ring. That’s what it’s all about and I
can’t wait.
“This is a deep division, but I’m talented as well. I don’t
fear anyone. I’m here to get all the way to the top and
become world champion.
“I’m here to do it my way and get to the top of the sport.
This is a meaningful fight for me. I’m showing that I’m here
not only to win, but win convincingly.
“I’m excited about facing Barrios in his hometown. That’s
just going to get me even more motivated in the ring. We’re
going to take it to another level for the fans and give them
a great fight. Just wait and see. You’re going to see the
fans start cheering for me as the fight goes on.”
LENIER PERO
“This is going to be a spectacular fight and a great
opportunity for me to keep growing in my career. I respect
what my opponent can do and I know this is going to be a
great night for everyone watching.
“I’m here to face the best. I’m always ready for bigger and
better challenges. You can count on me to face anyone and
everyone as I continue my career.
“I’ve come here to give it my all and give the fans a show.
That means getting the knockout for all the fans in San
Antonio.
“This is going to be another great victory for my career.
I’m looking to keep adding to my resume against a strong
opponent on Saturday night.”
VIKTOR FAUST
“This is a big step in my career. I know that if I go in
there and get this victory on Saturday night, a lot of new
opportunities will open up for me.
“I did fight his brother [Dainier] in the amateurs and lost
on the cards, so this time I’m going to have to take revenge
on his brother.
“The winner of this fight is going to be ready to enter that
next level. That’s what we’re all looking to do. I can
guarantee this fight is gonna be exciting.”
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