ESTRADA VS. CHOCOLATITO & McCASKILL VS. BRÆKHUS 2 PRESS CONFERENCE & WEIGH-IN
ESTRADA VS. CHOCOLATITO - PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND IMAGES
Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada headline a triple-header of world championship action on Saturday in what could be one of the fights of 2021 so far.
The duo face off in a super-flyweight unification bout, more than eight years after their first encounter at light-flyweight which was won by Chocolatito.
“I’ve been waiting for this fight for almost nine years,” said Estrada, the current WBC and The Ring titleholder. “I’ve been ready for the opportunity. He’s a good champ, he’s a good fighter and may the best man win.
“We waited a long time; I have three losses and I’ve already avenged two of them, but we train really hard and I’m ready for this fight.
“This is going to be better than the first one. It’s going to be a war and the people watching will be the real winners.
“Without a doubt it’s a fight that we have all been waiting for a long time. There is a lot of expectation, it’s been nine years in the making. People would always ask when we would fight again. It’s going to be exciting and I’m concentrating on giving a good fight this Saturday.”
Gonzalez, the WBA (Super) champion, said: “First of all, God bless everyone, I’m really happy, I’m blessed by God and DAZN and Mr. Honda, we’ve done a really good camp and we are ready for this fight.
“I’m very conscious it’s going to be a beautiful fight. Juan is a good champion, and we know what we have to do. We want to give a good fight for everyone to watch.
“That’s my dream, to be champion again. I train really hard and with the help of God and with the help of my team this Saturday we are going to give a really good fight.”
Here’s everything you need to know about fight night.
ROMAN GONZALEZ VS. JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA 2 FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date : Saturday, March 13
- Coverage : 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. GMT
- Gonzalez vs. Estrada main event (approx): 11 p.m. ET/4 a.m. GMT
The Roman Gonzalez vs. Juan Francisco Estrada 2 fight card takes place on Saturday, March 13 at 8 p.m. ET. Gonzalez and Estrada are expected to make their way to the ring at around 11 p.m. ET, although that depends on how long the earlier fights take.
GONZALEZ VS. ESTRADA TV CHANNEL, LIVE STREAM
- TV / Stream : DAZN
Gonzalez vs. Estrada can be seen on DAZN everywhere except for Mexico and Latin America. If you aren’t subscribed to DAZN, you can sign up here. If you are in Argentina, Chile and Colombia you must download from the Apple App Store or Android Google Play store.
Eddie Hearn
“Hello and welcome to Dallas ahead of a huge night of boxing from the American Airlines Center this Saturday, live and exclusive on DAZN all across the world. No travel restrictions, no pandemic can stop us from being here. I’ve not been this excited about a card for a long time.
“Of course, the World championships triple-header on the card. So many young prospects stepping up as well and 11 World championship belts on the line, three ring magazine titles on the line on this card. I thought it was a first, but someone just told me that Don King did it 18 years ago, so we are not going to talk too much about that, but what a card.
“What a main event, of course the rematch of Estrada v Chocolatito for the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine championships. Rematch of their first epic battle over eight years ago now. And a fantastic co-main event, the undisputed women’s World Welterweight championship between Jessica McCaskill and Cecilia Braekhus and of course the Light-Flyweight championship of the World and Ring Magazine belt between Kyoguchi and Vera.”
“I’ve been waiting for this fight for almost nine years, I’ve been ready for the opportunity. He’s a good champ, he’s a good fighter and may the best man win.
“We waited a long time; I have three losses and I’ve already avenged two of them, but we train really hard and I’m ready for this fight.
“This is going to be better than the first one. It’s going to be a war and the people watching will be the real winners.
“Without a doubt it’s a fight that we have all been waiting for a long time. There is a lot of expectation, it’s been nine years in the making. People would always ask when we would fight again. It’s going to be exciting and I’m concentrating on giving a good fight this Saturday.”
“First of all, God bless everyone, I’m really happy, I’m blessed by God and DAZN and Mr. Honda, we’ve done a really good camp and we are ready for this fight.
“I’m very conscious it’s going to be a beautiful fight. Juan is a good champion, and we know what we have to do. We want to give a good fight for everyone to watch.
“That’s my dream, to be champion again. I train really hard and with the help of God and with the help of my team this Saturday we are going to give a really good fight.
“I think it’s an important fight, not just for Nicaragua, but also for Mexico. I think both countries are going to be paralyzed on Saturday watching these fights and hopefully we give a good fight. We can go back home to our families and may the best man win.”
“I’m so ready to punch Cecilia in the face. I mean like we said, I don’t know Cecilia and there’s no bad blood, but we want this for boxing so bad, it is going to be the best fight of the night.
“I always have to work for everything that we have, and we don’t mind doing that. We’ve come from places harder than what you see us in now and I want to seal the deal and solidify my win in august and let everyone know that wasn’t an accident and that was me, unified undisputed World champion.
“We have always had a large amount of confidence and we have just had to get those opportunities to show everyone else what we can do and like I said before we have come from places where this isn’t the hardest thing that we’ve had to go through so I think this will be a piece of cake.
“It doesn’t really matter what kind of game plan they bring. We are really prepared. Rick Ramos, my manager and trainer, he keeps me diversified in boxing whether it’s the brawling, the movement, the standstill, we’re ready for anything.
“Cecilia brought retirement up after the last fight, those aren’t my words, those are hers, so I’m going to make her eat them.”
“She was so friendly, then she got the belt, and she was like whoa, she goes crazy. It is definitely a new situation. You know, it’s fun for me, I just want to get the belt back and McCaskill has kept me very motivated, she’s kept me motivated through my whole camp. Last time she knows she was lucky, so I think that’s where all the trash talk is coming from.
“Oh definitely. I had a rough training camp the last time, I was stuck six months in Big Bear. Now I had a normal training camp and now I have to do what I always do. I have to box. And I can do whatever and I think I can stop her too because I am definitely bigger and stronger and I am a much better fighter, boxer. I’m much better technically and stronger so I’m very confident going into this fight. And like I said, she provided me with a lot of motivation in camp.
“As a fighter I have given her a lot of credit. I should definitely not be losing to her. She was home, she was in her home country, all the judges were home, she got her catch weight and still I beat her in one of my invites when I didn’t perform at the top. Saturday I will be at my best and she is nowhere near my level.
“I will win so it is not even an option. I have a bigger name than her anyways with or without the belt”
“This is not my final goal as far as my career goes so I’m going to work hard to have a good win on this one and look forward to a unification fight. Yes, so far everything is going very well.
“I have strategized my fighting style to go with a smaller fighter and it is true he is a smaller fighter, but I’ve strategized with that and I’m planning to win.”
Axel Vega
“This is a great opportunity and I thank God and you for giving me the opportunity. I am ready for this fight and hopefully come Saturday I am a champion.
“We are prepared for a war and we have worked well, we know how to handle the distance, we know we have to go in maybe take a punch but we are really prepared for this fight.”
Austin Williams
“I’m absolutely aware of what’s in front of me. We always train for the greatest in the world. That’s why we travel around the world. That’s why we get the best. And I know myself, like I said, before I can pull all my interviews, all my press conferences, the better the competition is, the more you are going to see from me. The more I can pull out of my tool bag the more I can show who I am – heart and the competitive guy in me is going to rein supreme on Saturday night because I got a great opponent in Douglin to fight. This is exciting times for me, so you are going to see a very creative, powerful, strong Ammo Williams.
“I feel like I’m going to knock him out in a spectacular fashion. A lot of guys that he’s been in the right with, I actually shared the ring with, sparring and helping them get ready for fights. And as everyone knows how it goes, when you spar to get ready for a fight it’s not friendly sparring, it’s not nice, I’ve been in there with Benevidez when he got ready for Dirrell, I’ve been in there with Charlo when he got ready for Lubin and we got some very powerful rounds and that was me over a year ago and with Charlo that was over two years ago so I’ve seen a lot of the things that he’s seen. Of course, not in an actual fight but I’ve seen the guys he’s seen and I was ready when they gave me the card for him. Even though he fights at a higher weight class I was still ready. I want the challenge. I want this.
“He’s a blessing. I know a lot of times fighters act like we are super enemies, but honestly, he is a blessing for taking this fight because he is a gateway for me to be a World champion contender. Seriously, you can’t argue that I’m not ready for the real guys after I fight him. If I beat him, when I knock him out, what are people going to say? That I need another ten fights? Another five fights? No, they’re going to say he took the risk, he took the jump, he got the fight and he’s ready for the next step”
Denis Douglin
“I’m so confident. First of all, I want to say shoutout to him for taking the fight. He’s a blessing. Because he’s good for my career, another undefeated fighter to put me back in the position that I want to be in. Not necessarily for a title shot but to get back where I should be. To call out the fighters that are right beneath the champions so beating him is going to be a great fight for me, a great thing. So shoutout to him.
“Shoutout to the fact that there’s no animosity, I like him as a person, we have a little beef, we don’t have beef, but I actually really like him. But I’m going to beat him up though. I’m going to really beat him up. But I’ll put him on Instagram right after I beat him up. I’m probably going to stop him, but he might be tough, maybe he’ll last, I’m not sure, I hope he lasts, but I’m coming to beat him up.
“We’re going to see but like he said, everyone thinks of me as a journeyman because of the losses that I have, not understanding that boxing is a little bit deeper than fight night. Boxing is all about preparation. As you can see, I’m the fighter that will take a fight short notice because I love the sport. I love the craft.
“I mean I’m looking good, feeling good, I already made weight. People asking why Denis not in the gym? Weight is good already, so we are good, we are in shape. This fight is heaven sent. So shoutout to him for taking the fight. After I beat you up, on Saturday I’m going to take you out to eat because the first loss is the toughest so I’m going to talk to you about how to get back in it and stay strong. But I like this guy. It’s going to be a fun night Saturday it’s going to be a rebirth.”
Aaron Perez
“I am excited to be here. Thanks to Matchroom boxing for having me here. We put in a lot of work to get here so we are just glad we have the opportunity, and we are ready to put in a show Saturday night.
“Everybody that’s here, everybody wants to be the best so everyone that is here has worked for that. So, it is going to be interesting.”
Raymond Ford
“Come on now, you know he hasn’t seen me before. I’m not like the people he’s seen before.
“I put the work in in the gym, so as long as I put the work in the gym and I’m performing the way I’m performing of course I’m going to get more confidence and get more comfortable fighting in the pro game. So, of course now you will see the real me.
“I’ve been wanting to fight guys like this, undefeated guys, other prospects and stuff like that so I definitely want to move a little faster. Like I’ve been saying, I don’t need to be babied, I have the skills, I have the talent, I have the heart, as you said, I don’t turn down anybody, you can put anybody in there with me and I’ll show you what I’m going to do to them.
“No, not just the US, I’m talking around the world, I’m the best prospect out right now, nobody is topping me.”
Souleymane Cissokho
“Ready to go. You know it has been 16 months without a fight so yes I can’t wait to get into the ring.
“Hopefully it will be a big year for me. I want to move the world. In the UK you guys have a lot of good fighters and I can’t wait to fight with them. I’m ready and I want to show you on Saturday and then let’s see.
“It’s a good time for French boxing. Since 2016, we had six medals, two gold, two silver, two bronze, and now professional boxing in France is going well. With Tony Yoka and others. We are ready to show all the world that we are ready to be in the top level. I am very happy and very excited to be here.
“We all know about the Mexican guys. They are tough fighters, they come to fight, and they are very ready so yes, it will be a good test for me and I’m ready for everybody. I’m ready.”
MCCASKILL: I’M THROWING A RETIREMENT PARTY FOR BRÆKHUS
Welterweight ruler says she’ll repeat her win in Dallas
Jessica McCaskill is ready to send Cecilia Brækhus into retirement when she defends her undisputed World Welterweight titles at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
McCaskill (9-2 3 KOs) ripped the titles from Brækhus (36-1 9 KOs) on the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma in August, handing the Norwegian her first career loss and becoming a two-weight World champion in the process.
Brækhus hinted at retirement in her post-fight interview before committing to the rematch days later, and now the pair will tussle for the titles once more – but the Chicago belt holder believes that the hunger has gone from her foe and that this weekend, she’ll blow the candles out on her long career.
“This is the biggest retirement party DAZN has ever hosted – there’s probably going to be cake and juice afterwards,” said McCaskill. “This is going to be it. She’s the one that alluded to it after losing in Tulsa, she seemed super relieved after losing and I am just giving her what she wants.
“Once someone shows that weakness, shows they are not in it and talks retirement, that shows that they are mentally out of the game. We’ve never been given a whole lot; we’ve taken really big risks and they have gotten us to those higher places. I don’t want to take on anyone else’s legacy, I’m building my own and making history every step of the day and that’s what I want to continue to do.
“I think she’s been struggling since the loss; I don’t know what she is going to do on fight night because we’re coming. I have a b-side mentality, we’re grinding for this, we’re not getting any handouts for this, she’s going to have to fight tooth and nail for anything.”
Brækhus’ clash with McCaskill is part of aa huge night of action in Dallas, with a mouth-watering triple-header of World title action at the top of the bill.
Juan Francisco Estrada (41-3 28 KOs) and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (50-2 41 KOs) meet in a mouthwatering rematch that’s over eight years in the making, with the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles on the line and there’s a Matchroom debut on the card for Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0 9 KOs) as he defends his WBA and Ring Magazine World Light-Flyweight titles against Axel Vega (14-3-1 8 KOs), and it’s a huge night for a clutch of rising talents on the bill.
Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (7-0 6 KOs) is looking to build on his own stellar 2020 performances where he won all three of his fights via stoppage in Miami, Mexico City and Dallas, and ‘Ammo’ will look to continue that streak in his first eight round bout against the experienced ‘Momma’s Boy’ Denis Douglin (22-7 14 KOs) who has shared the ring World champions George Groves, Anthony Dirrel, David Benavidez and Jermell Charlo.
Raymond Ford (8-0 4 KOs) has been in hot form, closing 2020 out with impressive stoppage wins in Florida and Texas and the 21 year old takes on unbeaten New Mexico talent Aaron ‘Angel Baby’ Perez (10-0 6 KOs) over eight rounds.
Souleymane Cissokho (11-0 7 KOs) is back in action for the first time since September 2019 and the unbeaten Frenchman tangles with Daniel Echeverria (21-10 18 KOs) over eight rounds.
BRÆKHUS: I WILL RECLAIM WHAT IS MINE
‘First Lady’ says she’ll avenge McCaskill loss in Dallas
Cecilia Brækhus has vowed to ‘take back what’s mine’ when she rematches Jessica McCaskill for the undisputed World Welterweight titles at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
Brækhus (36-1 9 KOs) suffered the first loss of her glittering career at the hands of McCaskill in Tulsa, OK in August, with the Chicagoan taking her titles and preventing her from breaking Joe Lewis’ record of consecutive World title defenses.
The Norwegian hinted at retirement in her immediate post-fight speech but within days of that loss, she activated the rematch clause, and now she is determined to settle the score and reclaim her property.
“I know I am a better fighter than Jessica in every possible way – I’m back for me,” said Brækhus. “I’ve done it all in boxing; first undisputed women’s champion, first Ring Magazine champion, sold out arenas, hit one million viewers, sold Pay-Per-Views – Saturday is just about taking the belts back because I am better.
“I’ve been in so many fights in my career and I knew that I did enough to win the first fight. I was a little bit naive. I didn’t consider that I was on her home turf, I won’t make that mistake again. Those belts are rightfully mine and I want to make a statement on Saturday, I’ll be completely different from the last fight, I’m in peak shape and I am happy.
“It’s fine to do some talking before the fight to promote it, but it’s not personal for me. She started talking about me and my team 24 hours after the last fight and I lost respect for her. You can’t be offended or take anything personally by someone you don’t respect. I feel calm and I am ready to get my belts back.”
Brækhus’ clash with McCaskill is part of aa huge night of action in Dallas, with a mouth-watering triple-header of World title action at the top of the bill.
Juan Francisco Estrada (41-3 28 KOs) and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (50-2 41 KOs) meet in a mouthwatering rematch that’s over eight years in the making, with the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles on the line and there’s a Matchroom debut on the card for Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0 9 KOs) as he defends his WBA and Ring Magazine World Light-Flyweight titles against Axel Vega (14-3-1 8 KOs), and it’s a huge night for a clutch of rising talents on the bill.
Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (7-0 6 KOs) is looking to build on his own stellar 2020 performances where he won all three of his fights via stoppage in Miami, Mexico City and Dallas, and ‘Ammo’ will look to continue that streak in his first eight round bout against the experienced ‘Momma’s Boy’ Denis Douglin (22-7 14 KOs) who has shared the ring World champions George Groves, Anthony Dirrel, David Benavidez and Jermell Charlo.
Raymond Ford (8-0 4 KOs) has been in hot form, closing 2020 out with impressive stoppage wins in Florida and Texas and the 21 year old takes on unbeaten New Mexico talent Aaron ‘Angel Baby’ Perez (10-0 6 KOs) over eight rounds.
Souleymane Cissokho (11-0 7 KOs) is back in action for the first time since September 2019 and the unbeaten Frenchman tangles with Daniel Echeverria (21-10 18 KOs) over eight rounds.
CHOCOLATITO: I’M SO PROUD TO REPRESENT NICARAGUA
Nicaraguan great wants to further his legacy in blockbuster Estrada rematch on Saturday
Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez says he is ‘proud to have represented Nicaragua with such dignity’ – but still has plenty more to add to his legacy as he prepares to face Juan Francisco Estrada in a unification rematch at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
TICKETS FOR ESTRADA VS. CHOCOLATITO ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER – TICKETS START AT $35 (PLUS FEES)
Chocolatito (50-2 41 KOs) was victorious in the first fight with Estrada (41-3 28 KOs) in November 2012, and his final fight as a Light-Flyweight World ruler. Two years later in his 40th pro fight he became a three-weight World ruler by beating Akira Yaegashi in Japan for the WBC and Ring Magazine World Flyweight titles and his September 2016 victory over Carlos Cuadras landed him World honors at a fourth weight with the WBC Super-Flyweight strap.
Chocolatito has always been honored to be part of the rich boxing history in his homeland, led by one of the all-time greats in the late Alexis Arguello, and the former pound-for-pound king fondly remembers looking up to and spending time with Arguello, as he looks back on a remarkable career that he believes still has many more chapters to be written.
“When I fought Yaegashi, the question that all of Nicaragua had was ‘Are you on the same level as Alexis Arguello?'” said Chocolatito. “I won that third title in Japan and then a fourth title came, where everybody was waiting expectantly to see if I’d win it. I trained a lot because it was one of my dreams. And then… boom! I won the title and Nicaragua welcomed me like never before.
“I’m so proud to have represented my country with such dignity. And well, I’m so happy for my parents, my family. And for Alexis, who was always there for me, teaching me the good things about this boxing world.
“I always respected all the orders Alexis gave me because he’s a three-time champion. It’s an honor. He was like my father. We were very close. Sometimes he invited me to his house, and I remember being at his house, eating and I got relaxed, and he dropped me off at my fight and that day was the first time that I got hit hard.
“I was scared, but I got up and I knocked the guy out. But those are life experiences that I had with him where I learned. Because I think, I could have not gotten up after that punch. But due to the conditions, it made me get up again. Alexis was a very demanding person in the gym. And even in the fight.
“I consider myself a man who’s done the best that I could. I had difficult times growing up but, in the end, it worked out well. Life has taught me a lot of things, and I learned. And I feel and think that I’ve already conquered many things in boxing. What comes now with this title is just extra.
“I never imagined myself getting to where I am now. But wow, it is still hard, it costs me. Because I train the right way. I do things the way they should be done. But I like it. And it’s what’s let me help my family. Help my kids. I don’t complain because I thank god for where I am now.
“Life has been hard and difficult with sacrifice. My family, my children, what makes me get up in the morning is to keep reaping victories in boxing. Not only that, but many young guys that want to be like the champ, like Chocolatito. But in the end, it’s what gives you your happiness in life. What you want to achieve in your life.
“When I retire, I will leave very satisfied and very happy to have been able to have so much success for my kids and my family, and also for the people of Nicaragua.”
Estrada and Chocolatito clash on a massive night of triple-header World title action.
There’s another case of repeat or revenge as Jessica McCaskill (9-2 3 KOs) defends the undisputed World Welterweight title against Cecilia Brækhus (36-1 9 KOs) and there’s a Matchroom debut on the card for Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0 9 KOs) as he defends his WBA and Ring Magazine World Light-Flyweight titles against Axel Vega (14-3-1 8 KOs), and it’s a huge night for a clutch of rising talents on the bill.
Ford (8-0 4 KOs) has been in hot form, closing 2020 out with impressive stoppage wins in Florida and Texas and the 21 year old takes on unbeaten New Mexico talent Aaron ‘Angel Baby’ Perez (10-0 6 KOs) over eight rounds.
Williams (7-0 6 KOs) is looking to build on his own stellar 2020 performances where he won all three of his fights via stoppage in Miami, Mexico City and Dallas, and ‘Ammo’ will look to continue that streak in his first eight round bout against the experienced ‘Momma’s Boy’ Denis Douglin (22-7 14 KOs) who has shared the ring World champions George Groves, Anthony Dirrel, David Benavidez and Jermell Charlo.
Jones III (5-0-1 2 KOs) battled to a split draw in Mexico City in his last outing in October, and the Ohio starlet will look to brush that off in his first eight round battle against dangerous Texas native Jorge David Castaneda (13-1 11 KOs).
Souleymane Cissokho (11-0 7 KOs) is back in action for the first time since September 2019 and the unbeaten Frenchman tangles with Daniel Echeverria (21-10 18 KOs) over eight rounds.
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