SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 31, 2013) – An enthusiastic crowd of hundreds of boxing fans turned out for an to the public press conference on the floor of the Alamodome today as Golden Boy Promotions formally announced DANGER ZONE, a blockbuster event headlined by a highly anticipated matchup between undefeated WBA Welterweight Champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner and former WBA Light Welterweight Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana live on SHOWTIME® (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) on Saturday, Dec. 14.
The 12-rounder between rising superstar Broner (27-0, 22 KO’s), of Cincinnati, and the always-dangerous, hard-hitting Maidana (34-3, 31 KO’s), of Margarita, Santa Fe, Argentina, tops a stacked fight card to close out what has been a record-breaking year on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®.
Other Dec. 14 matchups include unbeaten Keith “One Time” Thurman (21-0, 19 KO’s), of Clearwater, Fla., will defend his interim WBA Welterweight Championship against Jesus “Renuente” Soto Karass (28-8-3, 18 KO’s), of Los Mochis, Mexico,undefeated Leo Santa Cruz (25-0-1, 15 KO’s), of Los Angeles by way of Huetamo, Mexico, will risk his WBC Super Bantamweight world title against southpaw Cesar Seda (25-1, 17 KO’s), of San Juan, P.R., popular former world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-4-2, 22 KO’s), of Oxnard, Calif., will make his long-awaited return to the ring against an opponent to be determined, and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov (13-1, 8 KO’s), of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Shymkent, Kazakhstan, defends his title against Tamas “Tomi Kid” Kovacs (23-0, 14 KO’s), of Galanta, Slovakia.
What the fighters and executives said Thursday:
ADRIEN BRONER, Undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion
Like I’ve said before, I’ll fight whoever you all want me to fight. The next one is going to be the same way. After I (expletive) him up on Dec. 14, I’ll fight whoever you want.
(To Maidana on training with renowned trainer Robert Garcia)
You can train different. You can lift weights with your teeth. You can push cars for two months straight. That doesn’t matter. I got the skills to pay the bills and I got enough will, my last name could be Smith.
There are a lot of people who hate me, but the haters are going to love me at the end of the day. They just don’t know it yet. On Dec 14 I hope my haters become fans. You’ll love me eventually because I love all y’all.
I want to acknowledge the troops (members of the U.S. Military in attendance at the press conference). I train in Colorado Springs. I had the opportunity to go to Kuwait and Afghanistan to meet the troops a while back and while I was sleeping, I could feel the ground shaking. We were getting bombed and I didn’t even know it at the time. That (expletive) over there is for real. Y’all are real fighters and y’all have given us the opportunity to do what we do. So, I thank you.
It’s going to be a hell of a fight. I can promise you this. It’s going to get ugly. I am talking (former NBA players) Sam Cassell, Tyrone Hill ugly. I don’t know if he’s faking that he doesn’t speak English. But after Dec 14, he’ll speak English. I am going for the knockout. Strap up.
(On what Maidana brings to the ring)
He can hit but Mark McGuire can hit too. But if he can’t hit anything, his power shot becomes irrelevant. I want him to be 100 percent in this fight. I don’t want any excuses.
(Regarding his knockout prediction)
The Argentine fighters are strong for six rounds. They can’t go much past six. This fight is over shortly after the sixth.
Who is doing it like me? Nobody.
MARCOS MAIDANA, Former WBA Junior Welterweight Champion
This is a fight I wanted. I wanted to fight the best and Adrien Broner is the champion so I am going to come prepared. I am very enthused. This is for the championship of the world. I am focused and will be 1000 percent ready and I am going to win.
Every fight, I have changed and I’ve improved my arsenal. Come Dec. 14, you are going to see a champion in Marcos Maidana.
(The key to beating Broner)
The key is to throw a lot of punches. Pressure him. Kick his ass. And that’s what I am going to do.
(On nuances in preparing for this fight)
I have not changed my style because this is who I am and that is how I fight. But Robert (Garcia) has sharpened my skills. He’s given me more composure in the ring and helped me to pick my shots and be even more aggressive than before.
KEITH THURMAN, Undefeated WBA Interim Welterweight World Champion
One Time. I am just so happy to be here. I am back. I am back in San Antonio to give another great performance. My motto is ‘knockout for life’. I am not called ‘One Time’ for nothing. I come to bring the hurt.
Fighters think they know what they’re getting into when they step into the ring. But no one can prepare for this. I am a beast. Dec. 14 is what I live for. That action. Getting hit, taking hits, giving hits. Seeing if they can take my hits, which they can’t do for long.I am honored that Soto Karass took this fight. There are a lot of guys that won’t take this fight. It gets me excited to know that I am going to meet someone like me in the ring. A true warrior. Someone that lives for the fight. Just like me, he’s not afraid of anybody.
I have to skip Thanksgiving. Sacrifices, sacrifices. But I can’t wait for Dec. 14. It’s going to be a special night.
There isn’t anything he can do to challenge me. No one can test me. I am testing you and you’ll fail. I come with a passion, drive, desire and will. Not just ordinary will, but the will to be champion. You saw that will in my last fight, and Soto Karass is the type of fighter that can bring that out in me again. Once that comes out, it’s over for him.
(On ability of Soto Karass to challenge him)
He’s tough. Some people say he’s really tough. But when it comes to boxing, it takes skills. It’s nice to be tough, but tough isn’t tough enough. If you don’t have the skills, it doesn’t matter. You have to be well rounded in this sport. I showed my versatility in my last fight and I’ll show you more on Dec. 14.
Other than Mayweather, you are looking at the best welterweights in the world (on this card). Adrien Broner is the world champ. I am the Interim Champion. Marcos Maidana is ranked No. 1 by the WBA. This division is packed. I just happen to be one of the most talented.
Jesus Soto Karass, Challenging for WBA Interim Welterweight Title
Thank you. Especially to you, the people of San Antonio for letting me return and fight in this great city. I am excited to be back, and fighting Keith Thurman. I have seen him fight. We’ve been on the same cards before, so I know what he has and he knows what I have. Come Dec. 14, I am going to bring it. I am coming to take that title back to Los Mochis (Mexico).
He has the same heart, but the difference is that I have bigger balls.
I respect him but once we get into the ring, I don’t have that respect any more. My corner and myself will make adjustments once we get into the fight. I am going to war in the gym. I have bruises from the gym because I am preparing myself very well.
Mentally, I know that I need to train hard and be ready. I need to be successful and win in order to provide for my family.
There is no pressure. I know what I have to do. I have to attack and go to war in order to win this fight.
