When it comes to their fighting styles, interim WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, and junior welterweight contender Juan Lazcano are worlds apart. But despite this disparity in styles, Marquez, De Leon, and Lazcano have one thing in common – their commitment to excellence as they uphold the storied reputation of the Mexican warrior.
On Saturday, October 21, from the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas, WBO interim featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez defends his title against Jimrex Jaca, WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon battles Al Seeger and El Paso's own Juan Lazcano takes on Manuel Garnica in an all-star tripleheader presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Romanza Productions Inc. This memorable night of action will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT. Below please find the fighter’s remarks made last week on an international conference call.
Golden Boy Enterprises
October 12, 2006
OPERATOR: Good afternoon. My name is Lynn and I will be your conference operator today. At this time I would like to welcome everyone to the Golden Boy Promotions conference call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers’ remarks there will be a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time please press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw your question please press the pound key.
It is now my pleasure to turn the floor over to your host, Dara Young. Ma’am you may begin your conference.
DARA YOUNG: Thank you. Hello everybody. Thank you for joining the Mexican Glory—Juan Manuel Marquez, Daniel Ponce de Leon and Juan Lascano international conference call. We have Daniel and Juan on the phone and are still waiting one moment while Juan Manuel Marquez is calling in from Mexico. I will be joined by Eric Gomez.
We are looking forward to this fight. It is going to be a very exciting fight in El Paso, Texas on October 21 and it’s also HBO Pay Per View. And, the suggested retail price for that will be $34.95. It will be televised at 9:00 p.m. ET and 6:00 p.m. PT. And, tickets are on sale now starting at $30 going up to $50, $75, $100 and $200 and can be purchased as the UTEP website or at Ticketmaster.com.
So, I’m now going to turn the floor over to Eric Gomez (ph) to get this call started and thank you very much.
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): Hello everybody. It’s Eric (ph). How are you guys? Thank you for joining us. Obviously, we’re very excited. We have an exciting card for you on October 21. And, on the line we have Juan Lascano, who’s on his comeback trail still. And obviously, we’re heading towards a world title. And hopefully, after this fight you know he’ll be – he’ll be right in line for a world title with any of the big names.
As well, we have the very exciting Daniel Ponce de Leon whose been on a real run—knocking everybody out. He’ll be defending his WBO Junior Featherweight title also on October 21. So, I just wanted to welcome all of you. And, I’ll be serving as a translator as well for Ponce de Leon and Juan Manuel Marquez once he gets on. So, I’ll repeat it in Spanish.
We’re opening up for any questions.
OPERATOR: Thank you. At this time the floor is open for questions. Our first question comes from Ramiro Gonzalez from La Opinion newspaper.
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK.
GONZALEZ, (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DE LEON (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. Before we get that question I’ll just translate real quick. He asked Daniel how have you prepared for this fight. It’s a tough fight. Your opponent is tall and similar to the guy you lost to. How have you prepared for this fight? He replied that he’s been training very hard for three months and he’s been sparring with a lot of tall fighters and that basically you know he’s got a great game plan. And, he’ll prove to everybody that he’ll be victorious and that supposedly the fighters that are tall that give him problems will no longer give him problems.
DARA YOUNG: OK. We’re still waiting – Juan Manuel Marquez (ph) – he’s calling in from Mexico. He should be dialing in any second right now. And, we’re still trying to work on Oscar (ph). So, if you guys don’t mind just sitting tight for one second and give them time to call in from out of the country and we’d be happy to have you ask them some questions as well.
OPERATOR: We have a question coming from Paul Upham of Secondouts.com
UPHAM Eric can you ask Daniel– he’s been very impressive with his knockout power. Is that the way he always saw himself as a – as a real knockout puncher?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE). He says basically that he’s been working on being more of a complete fighter. He doesn’t really necessarily look for the knockout but that you know he prepares for 12 rounds just in case the fight goes for 12 rounds. He says obviously, “Yes, I’ve been blessed and I’ve been able to knock people out but the fact is that I’m not looking for the knockout. I train to go 12 rounds.”
UPHAM): Eric , can you ask Daniel what he knows about his opponent for this fight on the 21st? Has he seen any videotapes of him? What’s he expecting?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He said yes he has seen film on Al Seeger. And, Al Seeger is a guy that uses the ring well and he – obviously, he’s tall. He has a good jab and he throws very straight punches. You know, so basically what Ponce’s been working on go after him. Cut out the ring and to look for those straight punches and counter off of them and you know make it a fight.
UPHAM (ph): Is he comfortable at super bantamweight? Is he going to move up at any time? What does he want to do, unify titles in super bantamweight?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): He says that he feels very comfortable making 122 pounds. It’s not – it’s not in his plans to move up to 126, at least not yet. He would want them, the belts, unified.
UPHAM (ph): Does he want a rematch with Celestino Caballero (ph)?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He says “yes.” He says, “absolutely.” You know in order to unify he’s going to have to face him. And, he says that he’s not worried. He knows that the public is going to be asking for that rematch. And, he said that when it happens that he’ll be – he’ll be well-prepared this time and the same thing will not happen.
UPHAM (ph): My last question for him, why will it be different? Why would he win this time?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): He said that he feels that the reason he’ll beat him this time is – it’s all in the preparation. For that first fight he didn’t know who Celestino Caballero (ph) is. He never saw any tapes. He heard he was a tall guy but he never knew how tall he was and that he wasn’t well-prepared and that realistically he didn’t feel good. It wasn’t his night. So, he feels that this time – he’s seen him and he knows exactly who he is and the preparation will be a lot different for this fight.
OPERATOR: Thank you. Our next question is coming from Ramiro Gonzalez (ph) of “La Opinion” Newspaper
HAMIDO GONZALEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): The question, Daniel (ph), obviously you’re an exciting fighter for television. You’ve been knocking everybody out. That’s what – that’s what the public likes to see. What’s the hurry on trying to unify? Why don’t – you know defend the title a few times. You know, you’re doing very, very well.
And, Daniel’s (ph) response was, “Yes, you know obviously those are the future plans to unify. But at this time, I’m just working on you know maintaining and getting better, maintaining – working on my technique, on my speed, and being more of a complete fighter.”
DARA YOUNG: Ponce de Leon (ph) Juan Lascano (ph) are now also joined by Juan Manual Marquez (ph). So, now if you have any questions for Marquez (ph) you may ask all three of the gentlemen a question.
OPERATOR: We have a question coming from Paul Upham (ph) of Secondsout.com (ph).
PAUL UPHAM (ph): Eric (ph), can you ask Juan Manuel Marquez (ph) – the loss to Chris John (ph), how did he feel about the fight?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He said that obviously he had a lot of anger. He felt that he won the fight. He felt that he won at least 10 rounds out of the 12. But you know, that’s fine. He knows that some time in the near future there could always be a rematch.
PAUL UPHAM (ph): But, was he put off by traveling so far away from the United States to Mexico?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): He said that he felt very good. He said that the traveling had nothing to do with it. He felt very, very good. And, he said for some reason the judges, the referee they saw it differently.
PAUL UPHAM (ph): What about the fight with Jimrex Jaca? What’s he expecting? And, has he seen him on tape? Does he know much?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He says that he feels very confident for the fight. Obviously, it’s a tough fight. You know, Jimrex Jaca (ph) is a very strong fighter. He’s fast. Just like all the Phillipinos, he’s got a lot of heart. But, he feels very confident. And, he’ll be the victor that night.
PAUL UPHAM (ph): Does Juan (ph) want a rematch with Manny Paquaio (ph)?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): He says, “yes, obviously yes. I would love to have a rematch with him. And, I think the public, the boxing public, would love it as well.”
PAUL UPHAM (ph): Doe he – does he think that Manny Paquaio is going to beat Morales in November?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): Yes. He feels that Paquaio will be victorious. He says that it’s Manny’s (ph) time now. It’s his time. He’s in his prime. He’s very strong, very fast and he feels that it’s going to be his night. He should be the victor.
PAUL UPHIM (ph): Why did he sign with Golden Boy Promotions? What’s the appeal?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Golden Boy Promotions, Juan?
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He says basically one of the main reasons is the president, Oscar. Oscar is a fighter himself. He knows what the fighter feels like. He knows what it’s like to be a fighter, to get up and then go having to work out. And, he feels that Oscar – very strongly that Oscar (ph) would side with the fighters always because he’s a fighter himself. And also, Golden Boy has all the dates. They have all the dates and they have all the fighters – so basically in his weight class. So, that’s what convinced him.
PAUL UPHIM (ph): Has Oscar told Juan that if Juan keeps winning that he will get the rematch with Manny Paquaio next year?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): Yes. And, he’s very excited about it. And, he hopes that you know maybe some time next year the fight can happen and that he wants to convince the boxing public that he was really victorious the time when they fought back in May 2004.
PAUL UPHIM (ph): Thank you Juan (ph). Thanks Eric (ph).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Juan (ph).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
OPERATOR: Thank you. Our next question is coming from Karl Freitag of “Fight News” (ph).
KARL FREITAG, “FIGHTNEWS.COM” : Hello. This is a question for Juan (ph). If the fight between Pacquaio and Barrera takes place before they get a chance to fight you, would you like to fight Barrera (ph)?
ERIC GOMEZ: Juan, (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ: Yes. He said yes that if they fight each other first that he would be – he would be willing, and able, and ready to fight the winner. You know and if it ends up being Barrera then yes he would fight Barrera, that obviously he would have to sit down with Golden Boy and Romansa Boxing (ph) and we would – we would try to make the deal happen.
KARL FREITAG: After this fight does he have to fight Scott Harrison (ph) next?
ERIC GOMEZ: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Scott Harrison (ph)?
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ: He said yes, that yes – that obviously they won the purse. And, he’s aware that most likely that’s his next fight and that yes he would – he would want to fight against Scott Harrison (ph). And, it doesn’t matter where it’s at.
KARL FREITAG (ph): From the email and the – kind of the buzz I get about this card it seems like the most interesting fight at least for our readers seems to be the Al Seeger (ph) against Ponce de Leon (ph). I wanted to ask Ponce de Leon (ph) if he’s viewing this fight as being particularly tough or different than his previous fights?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Al Seeger (ph). (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DANIEL PONCE DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He says – he says that yes – you know that obviously he is expecting probably the toughest fight of his career. And, he’s prepared as if it’s the toughest fight of his career. And, if it’s not that tough then Al Seeger (ph) be careful because you’re going to get knocked out early.
KARL FREITAG (ph): What does he see Al Seeger (ph) bringing into the fight? What does he see as Seeger’s (ph) strengths?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Al Seeger (ph) (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)?
DANIEL PONCE DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He says – he says that obviously his height and his length, that he’s seen him in tapes and that he feels that he works his distance well and that he’s very tall for that division and that’s what he tends to do. He knows how to use his distance well. But, he said that doesn’t matter. “I’m going to be – I’m going to be on top of him from the first bell.” And, you know he’s going to punish him the whole night.
KARL FREITAG (ph): I apologize if this was already asked. I got on a little late. But, I was wondering if he could comment on Caballero’s (ph) recent win and is that a fight that he’d like to get in the future, a rematch with Caballero (ph).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. Ponta (ph) (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DANIEL PONTA DELEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He says that yes – he says he feels – you know that’s good. He finally became champion. He feels he’s one of the better fighters of that division and that if he wants to become the best he’s going to have to come through Ponta (ph) again. And, but Ponta (ph) said that it’s going to be a different fight. He’s a tough fighter, very awkward, but it’s – you know this time around if the rematch happens Ponta (ph) has something special saved up for him.
KARL FREITAG (ph): I’ve been reading that there’s some other pretty good fights on this card. Can you go over the under (ph) card also?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): Yes. Obviously, the main event one with Juan Marquez (ph) with Jim Max Jacka (ph) that’s going to be for the WBO Interim Featherweight (ph) title. Then, we have Juan Viscano (ph). Juan Viscano (ph) on his comeback trail headed towards the world title very soon we hope. And then, we have a local fan favorite Antonio Scalante (ph) that’s fighting Omar Adorno (ph) from Puerto Rico. And, that’s going to be for Antonio Scalante’s NABO (ph) title.
CARL FRAYTAG (ph): OK. All right, great. Well, thanks Eric (ph).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK, thank you Carl (ph).
OPERATOR: Thank you. Our next question is coming from Ramiro Gonzalez (ph) of “La Opinion Newspaper” (ph).
HAMIDO GONZALEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. I’ll translate. I’ll translate before another – there was a very good question. He said, “Juan Manual (ph) I asked you that if you think Manny Paquaio would beat Eric Morales (ph).” And, Juan Manual answered “Yes, I do.” And he says, “Why are you saying that? Is it because you have some animosity towards Top Rank?” And, he said “not at all. I’m talking – I’m talking boxing-wise. I just feel that Manny is in his prime right now and he’s just a better fighter at this time.” So, he asked him you know “If Eric Morales (ph) wins would you like to fight him?” He says, “I would love to fight Eric Morales (ph). I’m here to fight anybody.”
OPERATOR: Thank you. Our next question is coming from Paul Uphim (ph) of SecondElf.com (ph).
PAUL UPHAM (ph): Eric (ph), can you ask Daniel (ph) what he thought about Israel Vasquez’s (ph) last fight and how he thinks that match-up would go with him?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. Daniel (ph), (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. I’ll translate. He said, yes, he thought that – he thought that he looked good. He thought that Israel (ph) looked good that Israel (ph) started off a little slow but then he finished the fighting in grand passion. Right now you know he has a date with Al Seeger (ph). He doesn’t want to think about anybody else. But then, once he gets past Al Seeger (ph) then you know he can start thinking about bigger fights. And yes, he would love to fight Israel (ph).
PAUL UPHIM (ph): Eric (ph), can you ask Juan (ph) about Scott Harrison (ph). Scott Harrison (ph), he very rarely fights outside of the U.K. Is he worried about if the fight happens in the U.K. that he might get robbed like he did against Chris John (ph)?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): Juan Manual (ph) (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)?
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Scott Harrison (ph). (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Chris John (ph)?
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): He says that no he doesn’t feel that he’ll get robbed or anything like that. Manual Medina went over there and he beat him and that’s a fighter that he, Juan Manual, beat, Medina. So, he doesn’t feel that way. He says, “If I was willing to go to Indonesia I’m willing to go anywhere in the world.”
PAUL UPHAM (ph): Can you ask him about Harrison, what he thinks – you know his style of fight? He’s very strong, throws a lot of punches. And, what makes him a good fighter?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Scott Harrison? (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): He says that yes he’s a very strong fighter. He comes forward. He takes a good shot. But, he feels confident that he’s got the right style and technique to beat him.
PAUL UPHAM (ph): OK. Can you – can you just ask Juan (ph) how he expects to win this fight on the 21st?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): For Juan Manual Marquez (ph)?
PAUL UPHAM (ph): Yes please.
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): Juan (ph), (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)?
JUAN MANUAL MARQUEZ (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He says he doesn’t really know how he’s going to win but he will – he will win. He’s prepared for everything and anything. It’s a very important fight. It’s his first fight with Golden Boy Promotions. And, he knows he’s going to win.
PAUL UPHAM (ph): Eric (ph), can you ask Daniel (ph) are we going to – are his fans going to see a few rounds this time or is it going to be a quick knockout?
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): Daniel (ph), (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)?
DANIEL PONCE DE LEON (ph): (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
ERIC GOMEZ (ph): OK. He says – he says that you know he really can’t predict what’s going to happen but hopefully it’s going to be fast. “Hopefully, it’s within five rounds. And hopefully, I can knockout this kid and be ready for the next one right away.”
OPERATOR: Thank you. At this time there appears to be no questions.
DARA YOUNG: OK. If there are no more questions I’d like to thank everybody for joining us on the call. And, I’d like to thank the fighters for taking time out of their training to speak with the media. We hope to see you all on October 21. Again, this is your last opportunity if there are no more – if there are no more questions? OK. Thank you everybody.
