Canelo Alvarez and James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland hosted an open-to-the-public media workout in Houston on Wednesday, May 6 at Minute Maid Park in advance of their highly anticipated clash on May 9 at Minute Maid Park and live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®. Hundreds of fans came out to the stadium to watch their favorites get in the ring ahead of Saturday's mega-fight. Golden Boy Promotions Founder and President Oscar De La Hoya and SMS Promotions Chairman and CEO Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson also attended the workout to show their support for their respective fighters Canelo Alvarez and James Kirkland ahead of Saturday's bout. Also in attendance were promoters Mike Battah, President of Leija*Battah Promotions and Jesse James Leija, Texas Boxing Legend and Founder of Leija*Battah Promotions.
Other fighters on the Canelo vs. Kirkland undercard in attendance at Wednesday's workout included co-main event fighter Humberto "La Zorrita" Soto (65-8-2, 35 KOs),2012 Olympian Joseph "Jojo" Diaz Jr. (15-0, 10 KOs), Chinese heavyweight sensation, Taishan (3-0, 2 KOs), Alfonso "El Tigre" Lopez (23-3, 18 KOs), Eugene "Mean Gene" Hill (31-1, 21 KOs), KeAndre Gibson (12-0-1, 5 KOs), Ryan Martin (12-0, 7 KOs), James Leija Jr., and Antonio Capulin (14-0, 6 KOs).
Here is what some of the fighters and the promoters had to say at the workout:
CANELO ALVAREZ, Former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion:
"I am ready to fight tomorrow if needed. I feel excited that the fight is nearly here.
"Kirkland is a strong puncher so I have been sparring with southpaws to be prepared for May 9. I am strong too and I will also look to fight intelligently on Saturday.
"I want to thank all of the fans for their support. I want them to enjoy the fight, and get to see the action in the ring they've been waiting for."
JOSEPH DIAZ JR, 2012 U.S. Olympian and Featherweight Prospect:
"It's a dream come true to be on the Canelo-Kirkland undercard. This is probably the biggest stage in my life to be fighting in front of a big crowd at this point.
"I'm not scared to fight in front of a big crowd at Minute Maid Park on May 9. I fought on a stage kind of similar in the 2012 Olympics. There where tens of thousands of people there and millions of people watching me in the United States and all around the world. I just have to zone out and focus on my opponent.
"After the weigh in, I'm probably going to eat some Italian food, maybe have a lot of carbs and some protein to replenish my muscles and make sure I am hydrated to be strong for the fight."
TAISHAN, Heavyweight Prospect:
"Right now, I am focused on getting better in each fight, becoming victorious of course. Whether knockout or decision doesn't matter. I feel better after each fight, and I'm staying focused and keeping my eye on the prize.
"My strategy for May 9 in the ring is to use my jab. The jab is the most important part of boxing; it's everything.
"I'm not thinking about how big the crowd will be on May 9. It's another stage, another fight, so I will go in and do what I need to do."
RYAN MARTIN, Lightweight Prospect:
"Training camp has been an ongoing thing. I had a fight four weeks ago so I went right back into camp that Monday. Training camp has been very consistent; it's going according to schedule, and I am ready to put on a show.
"I am not worrying about what my opponent brings to the ring. He is going to be worried about what I bring.
"It means a lot to me to be on the Canelo-Kirkland undercard. It's very humbling to be a part of an event like this, and I am ready for it."
JAMES LEIJA, Jr., Welterweight Prospect:
"My dad [Jesse James Leija] is behind me 100 percent. He's my trainer and the best advice he has given me is to just relax and remain calm. No matter how big the crowd is, you tell yourself that you are just back in the gym.
"This is one of the biggest cards of the year, and I am very happy to be a part of it.
"Fans watching on May 9 can expect very skilled technical fighting from me. I am a student to the game first of all, having seen my father go through it as a professional boxer; seeing what works and what doesn't. He's telling me how to approach to game more scientifically rather than just going and being a brut."
ALFONSO "EL TIGRE" LOPEZ, Light Heavyweight Contender:
"I'm really excited and overwhelmed. I want to put on a good performance for the fans. It's a great opportunity for every fighter on this card because it's such a huge event.
"I've been jabbing in the gym with the absolute best to prepare; he's a Cuban southpaw. I'm ready to make this a smart fight, an intelligent one."
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions:
"Canelo Alvarez is ready for this fight on May 9 against the 'Mandingo Warrior' James Kirkland. This fight is what the fans have been waiting for: action in the ring, top fighters going for it, not afraid to fight.
"There will be no running in the ring on May 9, that's for sure. Once that first bell rings, fans watching the action live from Minute Maid Park and on HBO World Championship Boxing won't be able to look away until it's over, whether by knockout or decision."
JESSE JAMES LEIJA, Texas Boxing Legend and Founder of Leija*Battah Promotions:
"He has so many different styles; he is almost like a chameleon. We trained so he could do a little bit of everything in that way so when he fights in the ring, the opponent will have to try figure out how to fight five different styles.
"It's mind-blowing to think that my son is doing something that I did for so long. It's one of the toughest sports in the world and it's one of the scariest things to do for a parent to see one of their kids step into. It takes a lot of guts and a lot of courage for anyone to step into those four corners."
Tickets for May 9 Canelo vs. Kirkland are priced at $350, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable fees and service charges, are available for purchase at Astros.com/boxing, the Minute Maid Park Box Office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com. There is a 19-ticket limit per household.
Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland is a 12-round super welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions, SMS Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions. The fight will take place Saturday, May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston and is sponsored by Corona Extra, Mexico - Live it to Believe it!, Fred Loya Insurance and O'Reilly Auto Parts. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. CT and first bout starts at 11:10 a.m. CT, the HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
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