ARREOLA-QUEZADA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

Dan Goossen:  I want to welcome everybody on.  I know it’s early out here on the West Coast, where this fight is going to be emanating from.  You know, HBO’s loss is ESPN’s gain, because 10, 15 years ago, this would have been right up HBO’s and Showtime’s ally to have two hungry heavyweights trying to re-establish themselves into the – the world championship picture and – and to also make history.

I believe this is a history-making fight.  And we’ve got the head of ESPN on, and I’m going to ask him to do a little research, if he already hasn’t, which I’m sure he has, but I’m sure in a lot of ways this could be a history-making fight on its own, because I don’t believe there’s ever been two heavyweights at this level or any level, quite frankly, of Mexican descent that have fought one another.

I know that we’ve had a handful of Mexican heavyweights that have tried to establish themselves as world champions and been unsuccessful.  But I don’t believe we’ve ever had two fighting each other at any level.  So I think in that regard, a lot of history is going to be made on August 13th, but more importantly, and unfortunately in our sport, one or two losses can certainly damage a fighter’s career, so a lot is at stake here.

We’ve got one fighter in Manny Quezada who believes that he’s been in the shadows of Chris Arreola for the last few years and has deserved his right for the big fights.  Up until just recently, he had a 17-fight winning streak.

And on the other hand, you’ve got Cristobal Arreola, who a lot of people felt that was on his way to making heavyweight history as a world champion.  Well, now it’s a showdown between these two fighters to find out who goes on to try to capture that dream of becoming heavyweight world champion of Mexican descent, the first one in the history of our sport.

It will be a great fight at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California, beautiful facility.  We hope to have the place packed.  I believe that the fans are going to come out.  Tickets are very reasonable for everyone.  And we’re just looking for a great night of boxing.

On the phone, before I get the fighters to say something, I’d like to bring in the head of programming with ESPN, Doug Loughery, who was the one that really pushed to get this fight made.

Doug?

Doug Loughery:      Thanks, Dan.

We’re excited over here at ESPN2 and our long, traditional history on “Friday Night Fights” of bringing fans – fight fans the best fights and excitement.  And certainly in this heavyweight division, you know, as I was speaking to your – your press people earlier on in the week, I think as you stated earlier, this is a fight for two gentlemen, two gentlemen of the sport that have to overcome this hurdle in order to advance, you know, recent losses and to see who can move on and upwards in order to get to those bigger, bigger title fights.

So we’re excited here.  The platforms of ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN3.com will all be taking the fight live at 10 p.m. Eastern.  So we’re excited.  Citizens Business Bank Arena has been a good venue for our production staff to work at, and I know they do a good job at pushing tickets, as well.

So I leave it up to the two fighters, and hopefully have a great night of fight action, which fans at home and on the Internet and on our Spanish network can all see.

Dan Goossen:      Thank you, Doug.  And don’t we do a good job of pushing tickets, too, besides CBBA?  How do you leave us out of that?  Only joking, Doug.  Thank you very, very much.

Doug Loughery:      Everybody on the staff and Dan does good.

Dan Goossen:      Yes.

Manny, why don’t you open up with a little comment and then we’ll put Chris on, and then we’ll open it up for Q&A?

Manuel Quezada:      All right.  Hey, everybody.  Thank you for having me on.  And I’m excited about the fight.  I can’t wait to, you know, to get it on, you know what I mean, get out there and do what we do.

Dan Goossen:      And what does this fight mean to you, Manny, finally getting this – I know you’ve been – you’ve been talking about getting Arreola in that ring with you.  What does it mean to you right now?

Manuel Quezada:      Oh, it means everything.  You know, this is the fight – you know, this is my biggest fight for sure, so it means everything, and I’ll be ready.

Dan Goossen:      All right.  Great.

Cristobal, it’s been a few weeks since we’ve talked.  I’d like to have you say a few words.

Cristobal Arreola:      Hey, what’s going on, everybody?  You know, I’m just happy to be fighting again.  But, you know, I know this is Manny’s Super Bowl.  This is his big fight.  And I’m sure he’s going to train his ass off, you know, to try to knock my block off, but, you know, I’m – I know what I have to do to win.  And the only person (I can beat) is myself, and I’ve done that (two times already), and I’m tired of beating myself.

So now it’s time, like Henry said, to get my head out of my ass and beat some ass.

Dan Goossen:      All right, Cris, Operator, let’s open it up for Q&A, please.

Operator:      At this time, I would like to remind everyone, in order to ask a question, press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad.  We’ll pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster.

The first question comes from the line of (David Avila).

Dan Goossen:      Hey, David.

(David Avila):      Hey, everybody.  How are you all doing?

Dan Goossen:      Good.

(David Avila):      First up, this question is for Manuel Quezada.  I know that you guys have probably sparred together.  What was it like the first time you and Chris sparred?

Manuel Quezada:      Yes, we sparred a couple times, but nothing serious.  You know, he was always getting ready for his fight, and I would come up and give him a couple rounds of, you know, just some movement, just so he can head off to his fight, man.  So it was nothing serious, and then for sure he’s a tough fighter.  You know, he’s a tough guy, and he’s a big puncher, and he’s always bringing the pressure.

(David Avila):      And, Chris, you mentioned that you’ve beaten yourself.  Do you – what was it that held you back in your fight against Adamek?

Cristobal Arreola:      You know, like, the fight with – especially with Adamek, man, like, I really shot myself in the foot.  You know, I cut some corners.  Actually, I cut a lot of corners.

Like I said before, you know, my promoter and my trainer and my managers, they’ve always been there for me and with me, and, you know, I didn’t reciprocate what they put in, in the gym and in the office and stuff.

So, you know, what I have to do now is just basically do what I’m supposed to be doing and actually listen to Henry and try to do whatever the hell he tells me to do.

But, you know, this fight, it is – it is a make-me-or-break-me kind of fight, you know?  It’s for both of us, you know?  This is – this is our opportunity to showcase ourselves.

And as far as that sparring with Manny, it really doesn’t mean anything, because one thing’s sparring and another thing’s a fight.  You know, some people rise to the sparring and some people rise to a fight, and now – and I’m a fighting kind of guy.

(Ryan Burton):      My first question is for Manny.  Manny, let’s look at your last fight with Gavern.  What exactly went wrong in that fight?

Manuel Quezada:      Oh, man, that fight was just – it was an off night for me.  You know, three months – plain and simple, it was just an off night.  And then, you know, on the second round, I got a head butt, which caused a cut, and that really kind of affected me throughout the fight, you know, so…

(Ryan Burton):      And, Chris, how’s the hand feeling?  I know you injured it in the fight with Adamek.

Cristobal Arreola:      Well, I feel my hand – my hand’s a lot better.  It was – it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, so my hand’s good.  You know, I was back to full contact about three weeks ago, so I’m good.  I’m good with my hand, thank you.

(Ryan Burton):      And do you think this will be the hungriest we’ll have seen you in the ring in a while?

Cristobal Arreola:      Oh, yes, definitely, man.  It’s just – I just hate looking back at some fights and knowing that I should have, could have, would have, but I didn’t.  And now it’s time for me to come in there and just put a statement.

Dan Goossen:      Manny, while we’re waiting for that next question, let me ask you one question.  On the Gavern fight, you mentioned that it was an off night.  Mentally and physically, did you do what you’re going to do in preparation for the Arreola fight?

Manuel Quezada:      Oh, no.  You know what?  I’m going to do way more for this fight.  I mean, it’s a bigger fight, of course, and it’s a tougher opponent, definitely, but, you know, I took Gavern a little lightly, you know what I mean?  We didn’t train as hard.  And mainly, you know, like I said, we went into the fight feeling good, and we just – it was just an off night, you know what I mean?  That head butt just made it even worse.

(Ray Markarian):      Hey, Manny and Chris.  I had a question for you guys.  Actually, first, for Manny, Manny, we talked a couple times in the past after some of your wins, especially after the Travis Walker win, and we talked about maybe when you were going to fight Chris Arreola.  And now that it’s here, after a loss, do you feel like it’s kind of bad timing for you?  Or do you feel like – how do you feel about that?

Manuel Quezada:      Sorry.  What was the question?

(Ray Markarian):      How do you feel about the timing of the fight with Chris Arreola right now?  I mean, you’re – you were pretty confident after the Travis Walker victory and your other victories, and you had always talked about fighting Arreola, but now that it’s here, how do you feel about the timing of it?

Manuel Quezada:      Oh, no, the timing’s OK.  You know – you know, a fighter should be ready to fight any time they tell them to fight, you know what I mean?  You know, the Gavern fight, it is what it is.  You know, we can’t go back on it.  You know, I know I can beat that guy.  So, you know, like I said, I’m excited about this fight.  You know, we’ll be ready to fight.

Dan Goossen:      As well as he should be, Ray.  I mean, this is – obviously, the winner of this puts himself right back in the thick of the heavyweight world championship, you know, picture.

(Ray Markarian):      Right.  So this is basically a make-or-break fight for both guys.

Dan Goossen:      Well, you know, I don’t want to go that far of saying make-or-break, but both of them are exciting, aggressive fighters, which is what’s been missing in American heavyweight boxing, and they immediately establish themselves right back into the title picture, and at the levels that, you know, every fighter fights for, and that’s the premium channel networks, because of their fan base and because of their excitement.

(Ray Markarian):      All right, Chris, I don’t know if you answered this or not, but I wanted to know pretty much what your mindset is going into this fight.  I know, you know, you’ve fought in a lot bigger fights than this in the past.  Like, what’s your mindset going into this fight?

Cristobal Arreola:      You know, like I said before, you know, this fight’s important because I have to prove myself.  I have to put a statement on this fight.  And I’ve got to make sure that I come in here and make a statement.

You know, I’m out here to win a fight, as he is.  And, you know, regardless of who it is, what the venue is, or – or what channel it’s on, I don’t care, man.  I’m there to fight, and I’m there to put on a show.  And this time, it’s my job to put on a good show and a great statement on this fight.

You know, every fight’s important to me.  It doesn’t matter who it is.  You know, I respect Manny, but, you know, come the 13th, you know, I’m going to hate the motherfucker.  You know, and then after that, I’ll give him a hug and let’s go have some beers.

But right now, I respect him.  Come the day of the fight, I’m going to hate him.  After that, then it’s time for me to think about what’s going to happen after.

(Daniel Olea):      Hey, I have a question for you.  Do you feel after your loss for the championship – do you feel this is your last chance to be the first – you know, becoming the first champion of Mexican descent?

Cristobal Arreola:      I definitely believe that this is a very important fight.  And this kind of a – whether we want to say it or not, you know, it’s kind of a make-or-break kind of fight.  You know, it is going to be a tough road after this.  Whoever loses, it’s going to be a tough road to get back into it.

And my job in here is to win this fight and to take care of history, you know?  This is the first time that – I’m almost positive that, you know, this is going to happen, you know, that two fighters of Mexican descent or any descent to basically kind of knock each other off just to make a history of their own.

(Eddie Goldman):      Thank you very much.  Hello, everybody.  First question for Chris, Chris, you said that you beat yourself in the fights with Klitschko and Adamek.  Do you think that you need to make a change not only just in your training, but in your lifestyle and all that?  You’re still a young guy, especially with the heavyweight division, only 29 years old.  What changes in your lifestyle do you think you have to make, other than just getting more motivated?

Cristobal Arreola:      Well, definitely you have to make a lot – change your lifestyle.  You know, sometimes you’ve just got to weed out the people that are bad influence on you and the people that, you know, tell you, OK, that’s all right, that’s all right, you’ll be OK, you’ve just got to tell them, you know what?  It’s not OK.  And, you know, my career is more important than just hanging out with you or whatever it is.

You know, of course, that’s one of the main things that you’ve got to do.  And luckily for me, you know, like you said, I am a young fighter.  I am a young heavyweight.  And I’ve been able to make those changes, and I’m now – it’s time for me to showcase it inside this fight.

(Eddie Goldman):      Are you starting to make changes in your nutrition and your diet?  Because I know you’d joke about, you know, beer and burgers and things like that, which is fine if you’re not a fighter, but…

Cristobal Arreola:      As far as a beer, you know, I always cut beer like six (seconds) before a fight.  That’s not the hard part.  Honestly, the hard part for me is, when it comes late at night after I get home from a hard day at the gym, there’s no point in me working out if I’m going to go home and then have a big-ass burger.  You know, that’s the main thing.

And now, you know, thank God for carryout.  I’ll call P.F. Chang’s and give me some – give me some grilled salmon or whatever it is, you know?  So that’s one of the main things that I’ve been changing a lot.

(Eddie Goldman):      OK.  And, Manny, a question for you, also.  With Chris’ disappointing performances in those big fights, how motivated do you think he’s going to be in this fight after those – after those two major losses?

Manuel Quezada:      Yes, no, he’ll be very motivated.  Like he says, he’s a fighter.  And, you know, I know Chris.  And everybody knows Chris.  And the one thing about him, he comes to fight, you know, no matter what happens in training camp or what.  When it’s time to fight, he shows up.  So he’ll be very motivated.

(Eddie Goldman):      Did you see anything in his fights with Klitschko or Adamek, that – any weaknesses that he had that you could take advantage of, other than, you know, the – him defeating himself and the lack of training?

Manuel Quezada:      No.  You know what?  If he’s ready to fight, it’s going to be a tough fight for us, you know?  If he does what he has to do in training camp, you know, it’s going to be a tough fight, like I said.

You know, I don’t really see much weaknesses, you know, except he wasn’t ready to fight.

(Gabriel Montoya):Good afternoon, gentlemen, or good morning.  My first question is for Manny.  This is basically what Chris said, your Super Bowl.  You’re coming off a loss.  You’re familiar with Chris.  You’ve sparred with him.  You’ve seen him in fights.  You know him.  Are you going to do anything different to prepare for this fight?  And can you just speak to just how important this fight is for you?

Manuel Quezada:      No, this is a very important fight for me.  This is my biggest fight.  You know, like I said, you can say that, and you can say it’s my Super Bowl.  You know, I haven’t fought in a bigger fight than this, but, you know, I’ll be ready to fight.  You know, I’m always at the gym, you know, and, you know, we got a new camp, you know, I got a new trainer, and I’m feeling great, man, and I’ll be ready to fight.

(Gabriel Montoya):Can you take anything from the Adamek fight?  I mean, you like to move and use some angles, and with your martial arts background, you’re an intelligent fighter.  What can you take from the Adamek fight, if anything at all, into this fight?

Manuel Quezada:      Not a whole lot.  Like I said, you know – and everybody knows, you know, Chris wasn’t ready that fight.  You know, his training wasn’t, you know, what it should have been.  And I know for this fight, I know he’ll be back, he’ll be hungrier, and it’s going to be a tough fight, you know?  We’ve just got to be ready to fight.

(Gabriel Montoya):      My next question is for Chris.  How are you doing today, Chris?

Cristobal Arreola:      Pretty good, (Gabriel).  How you doing?

(Gabriel Montoya):      I’m doing good, man.  I know you know that I have a lot of respect for you, so I’m just going to be straight to the point.  You’ve – like you said, you cut a lot of corners in the Adamek fight, and now you’re fighting on ESPN against, you know, a different level of opponent, you know, no disrespect to anybody here.

But if you couldn’t get motivated for that fight and you cut corners in that fight, how are the fans supposed to believe that you’re not going to cut corners in this fight?

Cristobal Arreola:      Because, honestly, I’m going to say, you know, for once, I’ve got content, man.  I was content.  And I was like thinking that – just do enough just to get by.

And that hunger just came back.  It’s back, man.  I’m hungry.  I’m hungry, man.  I want to win.  I hate losing.  And I think I have a lot to prove, not only to myself, but to the fans and to everybody that doesn’t believe in me and stuff like that or anybody that doubts me.  You know, I just have to prove everybody wrong and myself.

You know, I’ve got to prove it to myself that I am the fighter that I believe I am, that I – that I can become a world champion.  You know, I’ve got to prove it to myself, and that’s the main thing, man.  I have – I have a lot to prove, man.

And just like – you know, like that song by Eminem, you know, I’m not afraid, man.  I’m not afraid.  And it’s time for me to, you know, to take care of my business and do what I’m supposed to do, man.

(Gabriel Montoya):      Do you think on some level there is a little bit of like – like a fear of success, like if you gave your all and then it wasn’t good enough, that that would be too much, and so – and there’s a little bit of self-sabotage there, at least (inaudible) is that too deep?  I’m sorry.

Cristobal Arreola:      Yes.  No, no, no, no, it’s not deep.  (It’s absolutely the – it’s absolutely true, man).  And – and (there’s a reason that thing) where you, you know (inaudible) I did enough, you know?  And then that way if you do, do give it your call and then you lose, and you’re like, man, I gave it all and I still lost, you know, now I’ve got an excuse why I lost.

And I guess you’re right (inaudible) sabotage, you know.  It’s – I feel like I’m talking to my therapist now.  But I (inaudible) man.  When I was a kid – when I was a kid, I didn’t even want to dress nice, because then I’ll feel like a dummy.

(Gabriel Montoya):      No, I hear you, man.  Well, thank you, gentlemen.  Good luck to both of you.  I look forward to the fight.  I think it’s going to be a great one.

Cristobal Arreola:      Thank you, bro.

Manuel Quezada:      Thanks.

Cristobal Arreola:      By the way, that was the best question anybody asked.

Operator:      Next question comes from the line of (Karl Freitag).

(Karl Freitag):      Hey, everybody.  Hey, Manny, you said this fight is everything for you.  And Chris kind of implied that you’re going to be just another opponent for him.  Does that give you any extra motivation or do you want to really show him something because of that?

Manuel Quezada:      No, no, no extra motivation, man.  We’re motivated for this fight.  You know, like he is, I am, we’re fighters, and we’ll be ready to fight that day, you know what I mean?  But, you know, it’s true what he says, you know?  To him, I’m another opponent.  You know, it don’t matter who I am or – you know, I mean, he’s fought some of the best.  You know, he fought the best, you know what I mean?

So, I mean, what can I say?  You know, I can’t blame him for thinking that way, you know what I mean?

(Karl Freitag):      And what do you think?

Cristobal Arreola:      To me – to me – sorry to cut anybody off – every fight is just another fight to me, so every fight – every fight is important, it doesn’t matter what it is.  I’m not (inaudible) at all, and I’m not saying that he’s just a regular Joe Schmoe.  I’m just – if you guys go back to every one of my interviews, you know, every fight is important to me, and every fight (inaudible) to me.

(Karl Freitag):      Hey, Cris, you think you might be overconfident for this fight?

Cristobal Arreola:      Do I sound confident?

(Karl Freitag):      Overconfident.

Cristobal Arreola:      No.

(Karl Freitag):      I mean, are you underestimating him?

Cristobal Arreola:      Do I sound like I’m overestimating him

Henry Ramirez:      Excuse me.  I need to jump in.  There’s no way Chris is going to overlook Manuel Quezada.  You know, Manny is working with (Robert Garcia), a well-respected trainer.  I expect the best Manuel Quezada that’s going to be possible.  And in that regard, I’m going to prepare the best Chris I can – I can prepare for this fight.

Manny is not being overlooked.  He’s not being disrespected by me, by Chris, anybody in our camp.

Dan Goossen:      That’s Henry Ramirez, Arreola’s trainer.

(Karl Freitag):      Hey, Manny – so, Manny, do you think you’re going to win this fight?  Are you going to predict a win for sure?

Manuel Quezada:      I’m not going to predict nothing, man.  I’m going to predict it’s going to be a great fight.  That’s what I’m going to predict for sure.

Dan Goossen:      I’ve been trying to get Manny to predict something for (inaudible) years.

(Karl Freitag):      Well, I think we all agree it’s going to be a great fight.  Thanks a lot.

(Jake Donovan):      Hey, my question is for Chris.  Chris, I just want to know, what point in your career do you think was the high point of your career?  And then, at what point do you feel like things started to – I don’t want to say fall part, but what you said, where you just got to the point and you started beating yourself and, like, started cutting corners in your training and all that.

Cristobal Arreola:      What part do I believe was the height of my career?

(Jake Donovan):      Yes, sir.

Cristobal Arreola:      I think – you know what?  I can’t call what part as much as that was the height, that was also my lowest part of my career, so (inaudible) that part right there, you know, that part is just – as much as my balloon was inflated, it deflated just as bad.

(Jake Donovan):      OK.  Maybe I was trying to rephrase it.  At what point in your career did you feel like that you would be able to get away with cutting corners and still be one of the best heavyweights in the world, not when you realize that you could but just when you, you know, began doing it like on a regular basis?

Cristobal Arreola:      No, I believe it was after that fight.  You know, I – I got content  – I’m not going to lie.  And it definitely has to be after that fight.

And that after – right after the fight with Adamek, that’s when I – you know what, dude?  I’m going about this the wrong way, and I need to make a change.

(Jake Donovan):      OK.  I know it’s not by choice, but, I mean, with you, you’re still in line to become the first fighter of Mexican descent to win the heavyweight championship and you’re also one of the few American heavyweights out there that can actually, you know, get people interested, just because of your natural charisma.  Do you feel a sense of responsibility that you – you know, this is the time that you absolutely need to step it up?

Cristobal Arreola:      Yes, absolutely, man.  You know, it kind of bugs me to know what I’ve done, and I kind of feel like I almost – I disrespected the sport by everything that I’ve done (inaudible) coming fully prepared as much as I should be.

I disrespected Dan.  I disrespected Henry, Al, and especially, you know, HBO, whenever they gave me the opportunity.  And it’s – you know what?  I have to prove a lot.  And, you know, I’m not the only one that’s (inaudible) to make history.  So is Manny.  You know, he’s a Mexican himself, in case you didn’t know.  And – and I know that he’s going to come in here, you know, to prove himself also to be worthy of a title shot.

(Jake Donovan):      All right, cool.  Thanks for your honesty, Chris.  Looking forward to seeing you next month.

(Dan Cesarez):      Hello.  Question for Manny.  Well, first of all, hello there, gentlemen.  Thank you for your time.  Manny, I know we’ve spoken in the past, and I’ve seen you around, and you’ve been – I’ve actually seen you ask your management team for the bigger fights.  You were upset in April over here in Lemoore.

Manuel Quezada:      Oh, we’re prepared.  And we’re going to get prepared, you know, even more, you know?  I have a good camp, good trainers, and, you know, we’re just going to go out there to fight, you know what I mean, try to pull up an upset, you know?  I know I’m the underdog in this fight, and we’re just going to do our best.

(Dan Cesarez):      Well, how much are you thinking about this, you being the underdog?  I mean, that’s not the way you normally go into a fight, thinking, hey, I’m the underdog here.  I mean, if I lose…

Manuel Quezada:      No, I’m a fighter, and I’m going to go out and fight, you know what I mean?  But I know, you know – I know the word around is – is that I’m – you know, I’m not at his level and stuff, so I’ll be ready to fight.

(Dan Cesarez):      When you faced Gavern in April, I think you had said something to the effect in Lemoore that you might have underestimated him.  Do you recall anything like that?  How about this fight here?

Manuel Quezada:      Oh, yes, definitely.  You know, that fight was – you know, was an off night for me.  I took him a little lightly.  And, you know, and then, like I said, the cut and the head butt didn’t help.

But, no, this fight – you know, for sure, I know what this fight means, man, so I’ll definitely be ready for this fight.

(Dan Cesarez):      Are you training in Oxnard still?

Manuel Quezada:      Yes, I’m up in Oxnard right now, you know, so training.

(Dan Cesarez):      So you’re spending any time in Bakersfield for this fight?  You’re just staying over there?  Is that…

Manuel Quezada:      Yes, I’m up in Oxnard until the fight.

(Dan Cesarez):      Got you.  OK.

And a question for Chris.  Chris, I know that you’re getting some flak today, and so I’ve got to ask you the same question.  Is this fight going to take you back on the road to where you want to be?

Cristobal Arreola:      Oh, yes.

(Dan Cesarez):      And who do you want to see by the end of the year?

Cristobal Arreola:      Excuse me.  Who do I want to see what?

(Dan Cesarez):      And who do you want to face by the end of the year?

(Dan Cesarez):      With this fight here, should you come out with the victory, who do you want to face by the end of the year?

Cristobal Arreola:      You know, first of all, I’ve got to take care of – make sure that I win this fight.  That’s a very important fight for me.  This is a very important fight.  This is something that I really needed.  I really needed a kick in the ass like this, and I really need a kick – a fight to prove something.

You know, I respect Manny, but like I said before, come the 13th, I’m going to hate him.  But first of all, you know, I want to make sure that I take care of business on the 13th, and that’s my job, and that’s the only thing I’m looking forward to.

(Dan Cesarez):      You’re not whispering any other names into your manager’s ear?

Cristobal Arreola:      No, at all, I can’t.

Cristobal Arreola:      You know, you don’t overlook a fight like Manny.  You know, you don’t overlook someone that’s as hungry as Manny is.  You don’t overlook something like that.  So this fight right here is an important fight for me, period.

Dan Goossen:      Henry, I’m going to give you the – the podium for a minute, because I know most of the questions have been directed to Cris and to Manny, so why don’t you give us a little sound bite?

Henry Ramirez:      Like I was saying before, look, this is a fight of great consequence for both guys.  We have both guys who are desperate for a win.  Obviously, the fighter moves – the winner moves on, and, you know, kind of the loser, you know, really takes a step back.

Chris is prepared.  He’s preparing properly.  We’re a month out, and I like where we’re at.  I expect the best Manny Quezada to show up on August 13th.  You know, he’s training with Robert Garcia, well respected trainer.  I know he’s going to be in great shape.  It should do something for his confidence.

But, ultimately, I just know the kind of guy that Chris is.  And I don’t doubt he’s going to win on August 13th.

Dan Goossen:      OK.  And, Manny, why don’t you have a closing comment?

Manuel Quezada:      No, I just – you know, I’m excited about the fight, you know?  I can’t wait.  And I know – you know, I know Chris and Henry, and I know they’re going to do their job, and I’m going to see the best Chris that I can possibly see August 13th.

Dan Goossen:      Is this the first time you’ve gone to a training camp, Manny?

Manuel Quezada:      Oh, yes, first time, and I feel good about it, you know.  Like Henry says, you know, I’ve got Robert Garcia.  He’s a good trainer.  And, you know, I’m excited about this.

Dan Goossen:      Hey, and, Chris, closing comment?

Cristobal Arreola:      You know, just my main comment is – my statement is going to be made on August 13th.  That’s it.

Dan Goossen:      All right.  Thank you, Chris.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday.  They’re priced at $29, $59, and $79, which includes parking, which is one of the reasons why you’ve got an odd number like that.  So very nice.  We got a full slate of fights, including in the semi main event, which we’ll send out a release shortly on, Josesito Lopez against Marvin Cordova, Jr.  So that’ll be an interesting fight in itself, as we know Josesito Lopez is also from Riverside, a stablemate of Cris’, and also trained by Henry Ramirez.