LAS VEGAS – September 12, 2024 – Before they step into the ring on Saturday night, fighters competing on Saturday’s Canelo vs. Berlanga undercard went face-to-face at the final press conference on Thursday before Canelo Promotions presents a Mexican Independence Day Weekend extravaganza headlined by pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez taking on undefeated contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video this Saturday, September 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The press conference featured reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and two-division world champion Danny “Swift” García, who meet in the star-studded co-main event. The showdown features two of this era’s most accomplished boxers as they have combined to face a staggering 21 world champions heading into this fight.
Thursday’s press conference also included former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and undefeated contender Trevor McCumby, who duel for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, and former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes, who square off in the pay-per-view opener.
Also facing off at the press conference were former unified super bantamweight world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and all-action contender Carlos Castro, who top a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT leading up to the pay-per-view. The live-streaming action will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.
Rounding out the PBC on Prime Video lineup and also at Thursday’s press conference were hard-hitting Roiman Villa and Mexico’s Ricardo Salas, who duel in a welterweight battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez, who faced Richard Medina in a super featherweight clash.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from MGM Grand:
ERISLANDY LARA
“Motivation is easy for me because I just think about my family and everyone who I fight for. It makes me want to get up and go work hard every day.
“Danny is a great fighter and a champion at lower weight classes, but middleweight is a different beast. We’re gonna have to see if he can adapt to this different weight.
“I don’t know whether he can stand the power of my punches. We’ll find out Saturday. I’m just focused on being ready mentally and physically to do anything it takes to win.
“I’m really not worrying too much about any weight or height advantage, I’m just focused on going in there and being at my best.
“We’re going to keep defending this title and keep looking for the biggest and best fights.”
DANNY GARCIA
“It’s been a hard training camp and now it’s time to go in there and take that belt. The hard work is done and now we’re ready to get in there on Saturday night.
“To me, I feel like I’m already a Hall of Famer, but I think winning this belt is the icing on the cake. Winning in three divisions is about legacy, not many fighters do that. I’m chasing greatness.
“Lara has been around a long time just like me and we’re two battle-tested warriors. I know what I’m up against and I prepared for that. I’m here to show the world that I’m the better man.
“It means the world to have my father in my corner. Anyone can train you, but having a spiritual connection with your trainer can take you to a different level. That’s what gives us a special bond. When no one believed, we believed.
“People have tried to tell me I was too small my whole career. I was naturally a big guy who squeezed down in weight. To me, I’m a natural middleweight. This is my weight and this is where I feel good. If you don’t believe me, you gotta watch.
“This never gets old, but I definitely remember being here 11 years ago fighting Lucas Matthysse on the Mayweather vs. Canelo undercard and people said I’d steal the show then too. It’s really just another day of hard work for me.”
CALEB PLANT
“Trevor himself knows that I’m not a bum, and that’s why he wants to fight me. He wants to be on the big stage, and that means facing a real fighter. Right now, he’s looking at a real fighter. He’s fought only bums, but he’s not fighting a bum now.
“We’ll see what he brings on Saturday. He’s undefeated and he’s looking to stay that way. So he’ll come motivated.
“Family means the world to me. It means a lot to have my whole family in the gym with me. Having a team like that makes the whole process so much better.
“I know a lot of people say it, but this is the best camp I’ve had and the sharpest I’ve ever boxed. I’ve been staying busy, looking sharp and we’ll see what he’s able to do against it.
“I’m getting that belt around my waist on Saturday night. I’m not looking past that. Whatever happens after that, we’ll be ready.”
TREVOR MCCUMBY
“We’re ready to fight. It’s very motivating to be on a card with all of these great fighters and I’m grateful to be up here with them for this great event.
“There’s no bad blood on my side, I’m just ready to fight. Things are gonna be said at these press conferences and I think Caleb needs to make his opponent the villain when he gets in there. I don’t really let things get in my head like that. I go in there to handle business.
“The back and forth we’ve had adds a little bit of motivation. Caleb is emotional and lets people get into his head too easily.
“On Saturday, you will see what I can do in the ring. There’s no animosity from me, but I’m coming for his heart.
“A win is huge because Caleb is a name. We’re trying to go through each other and that makes it a match made in heaven. I don’t know how he’s gonna come out, but you have to tune into this one, because it’s gonna steal the show.”
ROLANDO ROMERO
“I’m happy to be back on the big stage once again. This is just another fight and another opponent for me.
“Every fight is important and I’m not looking past him. It’s gonna be a great night on Saturday and I’m gonna deliver a highlight reel. Rolly is back.
“I’m definitely coming for the knockout. I’m not overlooking him at all, I’m just ready.”
MANUEL JAIMES
“I’m really excited to be here and on this card with all these great fighters. I had a really hard training camp and I’m coming to win on Saturday.
“This is the biggest moment of my career. It doesn’t get any bigger than this stage. We had a great training camp and I’m ready to get the win on Saturday.
“Rolly is a really good fighter and he’s been in there with the best. But I’m young and hungry and I’m gonna outwork him on Saturday.
“We’ve had the best sparring in the world over at the Robert Garcia camp preparing for this fight. Rolly has lost before and he will lose again.”
STEPHEN FULTON JR.
“It feels good to be back. I’m amped to be back. I’m anxious to get in there and display my skills. I can’t wait. I’m definitely coming for the knockout on Saturday.
“I’ve had my best training camp for this fight. I haven’t overlooked any day. I’ve just gone one day at a time. I feel like I’m in a great place and I’m ready to get in the ring.
“I feel like this was the right opponent for me because he’s a top contender. I would have fought a champion if one was available and willing, so after that, Castro was just next man up.
“I’ve missed being in the ring a lot. I’m not worried about any negativity from anyone. People will always have something to say. I’m going to keep doing me and do everything I need to do.
“I’m here to make a statement for myself and get back. This is my get back. Whoever’s got a belt at 126, I’m ready.”
CARLOS CASTRO
“This is something that I’ve been waiting for. I’ve taken two defeats, but these are the fights I want. I’m not gonna shy away from anybody, because I’m in this sport to prove myself.
“I’ve been in there with the best and that’s what I’m doing again. Those experiences have prepared me mentally for what I have to do.
“I take my hat off to Fulton and what he’s done in this sport, but on Saturday night it’s a whole different story. He’s gonna have a great fighter in front of him.
“Being in these types of fights give me extra motivation. Especially against a fighter like this. I’m ready to show everyone my best.”
ROIMAN VILLA
“I’m very thankful to my whole team for making this fight possible. I can’t wait to get in the ring on Saturday night.
“I had an outstanding training camp in the high altitude. I did everything that I needed to do and I’m ready to get this victory. This is ending in a knockout.”
RICARDO SALAS
“I’m really excited for this fight. I’m dedicating this fight to my family and I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do on Saturday.
“I focused on preparing as hard as I could for this fight, because I wanna give the fans a great show and that’s what we’re gonna do.
“I think we’re both ready to go toe-to-toe and that’s exactly what I like. I can’t wait because the fans are really gonna love this.”
JONATHAN LOPEZ
“I’m super happy to be on this card and showcasing my skills and talent. This is a big opportunity for me and I can’t wait for Saturday.
“I’m just ready to be in this moment. I’m treating this like another day in the office. I’m ready to display my talent on Saturday night.
“I’ve been in there with some guys with a lot of experience. I just tell myself that I have to dominate every fight and that’s what I’m coming to do.”
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ABOUT CANELO VS. BERLANGA
Canelo vs. Berlanga will deliver the latest installment of the historic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry as Canelo Promotions presents pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The star-studded co-main event will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García in a 12-round showdown between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.
Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant will take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Preceding the pay-per-view, former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will take on all-action contender Carlos Castro in a featherweight clash that will headline a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup. The live-streaming action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.
The streaming presentation will also feature hard-hitting Roiman Villa dueling Mexico’s Ricardo Salas in a welterweight battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez squares off against Richard Medina in a super featherweight clash that kicks off the action.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.
For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloBerlanga, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions
