A Press conference to formally announce the upcoming Klitschko-Williams world heavyweight championship fight on Saturday, Dec. 11, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on HBO Pay-Per-View (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) was held Thursday in Los Angeles. Klitschko (34-2, 33 KOs) will make his first World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title defense when he takes on contender and the man who knocked out Mike Tyson, Williams. K2 Promotions, Inc., and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino will present the event. In the top undercard bouts on the HBO PPV telecast, unbeaten Miguel Cotto (21-0, 17 KOs) will defend his WBO junior welterweight crown against hard-hitting former WBA/WBO 140-pound champion Randall Bailey (28-4, 27 KOs), former IBF junior lightweight titleholder Carlos “Famous” Hernandez (40-4-1, 24 KOs) will box an opponent to be announced and former IBF lightweight kingpin Javier Jauregui (48-11-2, 34 KOs) will box FECARBOX 130-pound champion Carlos Navarro. The telecast is being produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View.
Vitali Klitschko“I am happy to fight on Dec. 11 and show everyone who the real heavyweight champion of the world is.”
“Many years ago, I had a dream to be the heavyweight champion of the world. As a young boy, I would watch Mike Tyson fight and would say to myself that I want to fight him. A few months ago, Danny Williams squashed my dreams of fighting “Iron” Mike. I was surprised and disappointed that this man from England took away my dream. Right now, I want to beat the man who destroyed my dream.”
“Every boxer wants to be a world champion, so I know Danny Williams is coming for me. I will not underestimate him. I will send him into retirement like I did to Lennox Lewis.”
Danny Williams“I started boxing when I was eight years old. I always wanted to be one of the greats. On Dec. 11, I will have my shot.”
Carlos Hernandez“I have always wanted to be a heavyweight champion, but because of my stature, that is impossible. But what an honor it is to be on the undercard of the heavyweight title fight with the best athletes in the world, Vitali Klitschko and Danny Williams.”
“I do not know who I will fight, but I will give it my best. I feel young.”
Carlos Navarro“I am excited to fight on the undercard of a Vitali Klitschko fight. I have been in the gym, training, and will give a great show. I will be ready.”
