Mares vs Morel, Moreno vs David De La Mora press conference
Saturday’s headliners (from left): Anselmo Moreno, Abner Mares, Eric Morel, David de la Mora. Photo: Tom Casino
The four fighters who will compete in the Showtime Championship Boxing doubleheader this Saturday, April 21, at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas, participated in a final press conference Thursday.
In Saturday’s 12-round main event, talented, unbeaten former Bantamweight World Champion Abner Mares (23-0-1, 13 KO’s) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, will return to the 122-pound division for the first time since 2006 to face former two time World Champion Eric “Little Hands of Steel” Morel (46-2, 23 KO’s), of San Juan, Puerto Rico for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Title.
A relaxed Abner Mares is shown doing an interview and listening intently while Morel speaks. Photo: Tom Casino
Calm, cool and collected, Eric Morel is shown sitting near the podium and listening intently while Abner Mares speaks. Photo: Tom Casino
At Thursday's Press Conference, Abner Mares (L) and Eric Morel (R) pose for a photo together. Photo: Tom Casino
One of Tijuana's finest, David De la Mora (R) poses for a photo with Anselmo "Chemito" Moreno (L) at Thursday's Press Conference. Photo: Tom Casino
In a second world title fight, WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno (32-2-1, 11 KO’s), of Panama City, Panama, will defend his title for the 10th time when he faces David “Morita” de la Mora (24-1, 17 KO’s) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
Scheduled match-ups for the Showtime Extreme telecast (begins live at 7:00 p.m. PT: Librado Andrade (30-4, 23 KO’s) vs. Rowland Bryant (15-1, 10 KO’s), 10 rounds, super middleweights; Luis Ramos, Jr. (21-0, 9 KO’s) vs. Daniel Attah (26-9-1, 9 KO’s), 10 rounds, lightweights; Francisco Vargas (9-0-1, 7 KO’s) vs. Rafael Lora (11-7, 5 KOs), 6 rounds, junior lightweights (swing bout); and Antonio Escalante (25-4, 17 KO’s) vs. Francisco Camacho (10-1, 3 KO’s), 8 rounds, junior lightweights (swing bout).
Here’s what the participants had to say on Thursday:
Abner Mares
“Ever since I entered the SHOWTIME Bantamweight Tournament, people started recognizing me. People started noticing me and getting a close look at Abner Mares, the real Abner Mares. People didn’t know much of him, just the fact that he went to the Olympics, and now I’m making a name for myself.
“This fight is going to be really good. I am not underestimating Eric Morel. Never will I underestimate any fighter. I train really hard for any fighter because I want to give a great show. I want to show a different Abner every time I face anyone. I’m ready. I’m ready for Eric.
Eric Morel
“This is going to be a great fight. Nothing is going to stop me. Age is not going to be an excuse. I’m well prepared. I know what I’m getting into. I know Mares is extremely hungry and a very good fighter, very talented. He has his dreams and I’ve got mine, too.
“But on Saturday the best man will win. It’s not going to be easy for either one of us.’’
Anselmo Moreno
“I am ready to fight, I have the will to fight and come 100% prepared. I plan to do good work and hopefully everything comes out fine because I came prepared to win.
“I want to fight everyone in the 118-pound division and 122-pound division.”
David de la Mora
“It was a mistake for Moreno to take this fight because I am going to take that title away.’’
“I spent five weeks in Mexico preparing for this fight, so I am very prepared. If Moreno beats me, there will be no excuses like a lot of fighters make. If Moreno wins, he was better than me. There will be no excuses.
