WBA Featherweight champion Chris “The Dragon” John, his challenger Rocky Juarez, and super lightweight contenders Victor Ortiz and Marcos “Chino” Maidana spoke this week at a press conference in Los Angeles to announce their June 27 bouts at Staples Center.
Chis John, WBA Featherweight Champion
“I’m very excited to be fighting in Los Angeles for the first time and my preparation for this fight is going really well. On June 27th I promise you will all see a different Chris John. I will win this fight and I will keep my championship belt.”
Rocky Juarez, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist
“When Chris John and I fought on February 28th it ended in a draw. It was a good, tough fight and Chris John is tough fighter. You are going to see a new Rocky Juarez on June 27th. There is going to be a new World Champion. If Chris John thinks the fight on February 28th was tough, he better be ready, because this fight is going to be harder.”
Craig Christian, John’s Trainer
“This fight you are going to see a different Chris John. We don’t want to make excuses, but Chris was sick the week before he and Rocky fought last time. This time you will see a better fight.”
Ray Ontiveros, Juarez’s Long Time Trainer & Friend
“I have been training Rocky since he was little and I told him he would be a champion one day. Come June 27th, that day will arrive and he will be a World Champion.”
Victor Ortiz, Top Super Lightweight Contender
“I hope everyone is up for a great show, because we are both in great condition and this is going to be a good fight. We’re going to have some fun in the ring; we’re going to dance with the devil a little.”
Marcos Maidana, Top Super Lightweight Contender
“I know my opponent is good and people are going to enjoy this fight. But, in the end I know I will win.”
Rolando Arellano, Ortiz’s Co-Manager
“Victor Ortiz is a fighter who dares to be great in his attempt to fill the void in the sport left by Oscar de la Hoya. On June 27th we will watch Victor take one step closer to filling that void by becoming the next great WBA World Champion.”
Miguel Diaz, Maidana’s Trainer
“The public is going to be the winner in Marcos’ fight against Victor Ortiz. This will be a knockout fight; there will be no decision.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions
“We have a great set up for fights in downtown Los Angeles, with Club Nokia, the Nokia Theatre and STAPLES Center right here. Golden Boy wants to make this the destination for fights in Southern California. Fighters can start at our Fight Night Club at Club Nokia. Then they can graduate to the Nokia Theatre and when they can sell out that venue, they can move on to the Staples Center. Chris John and Rocky Juarez fought a tremendous back and forth battle in February. That fight ended in a draw, but as soon as it was over everyone immediately thought, ‘We need to see these two fight again.’ There is a lot a stake in the showdown between Victor Ortiz and Marcos Maidana. Maidana will definitely be Victor’s biggest challenge yet. A few weeks ago I watched Oscar de la Hoya retire from boxing, leaving everyone wondering ‘Who would fill his shoes?’ ‘Who would become that superstar?’ To be a superstar first you have to have the talent, then you have to be charming, have that perfect smile and you need to work to help the community. To become a superstar you have to have all these ingredients and Victor Ortiz has them all.”
