On Saturday, December 5th, as part of a PBC pay-per-view event at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, all-action undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr. (pictured) and former unified welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman meet in the chief supporting bout, to be held in the middleweight division. Here is what they had top say at the opening press conference on Wednesday:
VERGIL ORTIZ JR.
“I’m just very happy to be back in my element. All I know is boxing. I’m facing a very game opponent in Keith Thurman. He was my favorite welterweight in 2017 and I picked him over Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia.
“I just want the best fights. I’m really excited to part of this David Benavidez card, especially in Arizona. It’s gonna be a movie. I know that this fight is gonna be one that you don’t want to miss.
“There’s no better feeling than having a big fight coming up. People are overlooking Thurman because he got stopped by a world champion [Sebastian Fundora] who can tie his shoes standing up.
“I just want to be in exciting fights. That’s the point of boxing. I want to be remembered as a guy who never said no to a fight.
“I don’t go in with the mentality to get someone out right away. I’ll feel him out and download information. Obviously I’m familiar with Thurman, but we’re not gonna take anyone lightly.”
KEITH THURMAN
“I have a lot of beautiful boxing history on my resume and I’m definitely looking to add another piece of history on December 5th.
“I’m fighting one of the young guys who wants to be the future of boxing. But I’ve faced undefeated fighters in the past and I’ve delivered some upsets. That’s what I’m planning to do.
“I know some people are doubting me after my last performance, but styles make fights. This is a great fight that you’re not gonna want to miss. Don’t blink.
“This is a redemption fight. I always want to fight the best and be on the biggest stages. At the end of the day, it’s another part of boxing history.
“This fight made sense for me when it presented itself. I’m active and I’m gonna do my best to keep staying active.
“Tune in December 5th. My last performance just wasn’t my night. I did feel I started to settle into the fight. I ultimately couldn’t show the world how much of a dog Keith Thurman is.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Ortiz brings to the table. I’m gonna do everything in my arsenal to break up his rhythm. This reminds me of when I fought Diego Chaves. I’m looking forward to upsetting the apple cart and re-establishing my name.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman & CEO of Golden Boy Promotions
“On December 5th, Thurman, is facing a hard-hitter with the heart of a lion in Vergil Ortiz Jr. Thurman wants to derail Vergil’s plans, and Vergil wants to fight the best. Thurman wants to knock him off track. This is quite a fight in the co-main event.
“I know exactly what Keith Thurman brings to the table and exactly what his style and resume is. He brings heart to the ring every single fighter. I know he’s hungry, and when you have a hungry fighter with experience and IQ, he can upset quite a few fighters.”
