On Friday March 13, 2015 Premier Boxing Champions returns on Spike TV live from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. Former Welterweight champion, Shawn “Showtime” Porter (26-1-1, 15 KOs) will take on Welterweight contender Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia (33-3, 22 KOs) ; while Andre Berto (29-3, 22 KOs) looks to regain the spotlight he once had by taking on the always-exciting Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs).
The fighters held a conference call for boxing media in anticipation for the event this weekend.
We started the call with questions for Porter and Garcia. Porter will make his return to the ring following his first professional loss back in August of last year to British superstar Kell Brook. Garcia on the other hand is coming off four straight wins heading into the bout.
During the call, Porter showed poise and confidence. “This fight with Roberto Garcia is just like any other fight, not only do I have to win but I have to look good doing it,” said Porter.
Porter was then asked about Garcia and what he sees in him. “I’m looking at this fight just like I have any other fight. I look at Roberto just like I have any other opponent. He’s coming into the ring to try and take something from me and I have to defend it.”
Porter also spoke about his excitement about fighting on a Premier Boxing Champions card and the pressure that comes along with it. “I’m getting extra excited for this opportunity. I believe I am made for the limelight and like I said, I plan on putting on a show and winning and look good doing it.”
If you didn’t know, these fighters are no strangers to one another. Both guys have sparred together on numerous occasions and have worked together in the gym. Both fighters were asked about their previous encounters and their current relationship.
“Let me be real with you, Shawn and I have boxed together and when I boxed with him I was fighting him as a friend. Now that he’s my opponent, I’ll be honest with you I don’t even know him anymore. He’s just another guy in front of me,” said Garcia.
Garcia was also asked how he envisioned the fight playing out and what style he would use coming into the bout. “I’m going to be all I can on Friday. That’s it. I’m prepared for whatever he throws at me. I know exactly who Shawn is and he’s a good fighter and all, but I don’t think he has fought anyone with my type of style. I’m not talking smack I just don’t think he is ready for someone like me.”
Needless to say this fight is a must win for both men. Porter will be looking to get another chance at becoming a world champion, while Garcia looks to make a name for himself by beating one of the top Welterweights in the division.
Both warriors were asked about the pressure to deliver a great fight. “No pressure at all. At the end of the day we’re just two warriors fighting,” stated a confident Lopez.
Berto also replied to the question in a similar fashion. “I agree, there is not much added pressure. I think we are both going to come in and do what we need to do. The first PBC card was great, but I think this fight might steal the show because everyone know both Josesito and I like to make it an action packed fight,” said Berto.
Berto has had a rough couple of years, and it all started with his first loss to Victor Ortiz in what was considered at the time, the fight of the year. Since then Berto has added two more losses to his record, tested positive for a banned substance (which was later ruled positive due to contamination) and also severely injured his shoulder, almost ending his career.
“If you don’t know what all I’ve been through recently you can’t see how important this fight is to me. I have no choice than to be a different person, fighter, and different man. When a man goes through that then he has no choice but to stay focused with the task at hand,” said a reflective Berto.
Lopez hasn’t had an easy ride himself. Lopez took some losses early in his career and didn’t make a name for himself until he met up with the common denominator he shares with Berto, Victor Ortiz.
Ortiz was supposed to pick up another win and move on to a bigger fight with Mexican star, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Lopez must have remembered to eat his Wheaties that morning, because that evening, he gave Ortiz all he could handle and broke his jaw in the process.
Ortiz would retire from the fight, catapulting Lopez into the boxing spotlight. Since then, Lopez hasn’t had the best of performances, taking losses to Canelo Alvarez in a fight that no one seemed to think he was ready for and then to the hard-hitting Argentine, Marcos Maidana.
Now he is coming off four-straight wins, but the level of opponents have been mediocre at best. When asked how he will handle being thrown in with a guy like Berto after suffering those kind of losses Lopez was honest.
“You know what I had three tough fights back to back and I was in over my head at times, but you have to move forward and leave all that behind. I think training camps like I had during those fights prepared me for being in their with big dogs and I’m ready for a big fight again. A victory here is going to open up doors.”
Expect some great matchups this Friday on a card that should prove to be exciting for both the hardcore boxing fans as well as the new fans Premier Boxing Champions looks to gain. You’re not going to want to miss this card. Tune in this Friday on Spike TV.
