JAIME MUNGUIA VS. D’METRUS BALLARD – MEDIA QUOTES
Former world champion, and undefeated Mexican middleweight star, Jaime
Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico, and Prince George County,
M.D.’s, D’Mitrus “Big Meech” Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KOs) will hosted a media
conference call today to talk about their upcoming fight on February 19,
live on DAZN worldwide excluding Mexico. The 12-round fight for Munguia’s
WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title will be hosted at the iconic Plaza
Monumental de Playas de Tijuana in Tijuana, Mexico.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. PT and are
priced at $250MX, $700MX, $2,000MX, $3,500MX, $5000MX not including
applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at
www.arema.com.mx and at their participating retailers.
Below are what the fighters had to say about their upcoming event.
JAIME MUNGUIA, UNDEFEATED WBO INTERCONTINENTAL MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
“I am very happy to be coming back to Tijuana, the city that saw me grow up
and has supported me throughout my career. And I am very motivated to work
hard for the people of Tijuana.
“I have a big responsibility to my hometown after fighting far from home
for a long time. I’m coming back being a world champion at 154lbs., have
become a figure in the boxing world, it’s a big responsibility and I know
it. I prepared everyday to make my hometown proud and have to really
concentrate to not let in the distractions from home.
“I am very happy about the changes Erik Morales has made to my training. I
have always been a defensive fighter, but I would always get stuck, it’s a
mental thing. Erick has taught me to think more, breath, relax, take my
time and control the timing of the fight. His training has influenced my
style by throwing more combinations making sure I use my jab. Plus he has a
lot of experience in the ring as well and I trust his judgment.
“I remember going by the Plaza Monumental de Playas De Tijuana when I was a
kid and would dream of one day being able to fight there. I went to a fight
there featuring Julio Cesar Chavez and Zorrita Soto and it was full of
people. It was amazing. On February 19, I am going to be so proud to be
there representing Mexico, representing Tijuana.”
D’MITRIUS BALLARD, UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER
“I have seen Jaime fight on these big cards in DAZN for the last 2 years
and there is plenty of footage on him. He is a great fighter, he comes
forward and gets the job done. I am very confident in my skills and I feel
like February 19 will be my time.
“My elbow injury was pretty serious at the time to keep me out of the ring.
But right now, we have rehabbed it very well and my last fight in November,
I had no issues with it and I feel very confident.
“It doesn’t bother me that we are fighting in Tijuana, as a fighter,
generally speaking, it is expected to go into hostile environments, into
enemy territory and take their belt, win the fight. Andre Ward did it,
Errol Spence did it, Terence Crawford did it, Kambosas just did it, I can
go on and on. It’s required of us, it’s required of boxers, it’s part of
the journey. It’s just my time and my opportunity.
“I am extremely excited. I had a long layoff before the November 13th
fight. To be 28 and 21-0 and a fight with Jaime, this is what I have
dreamed of. When they told me it would be in Mexico I had no problem with
it. This is a big opportunity for me, for my career.
“I know that I am a big underdog in this fight, mostly because people don’t
know much about me. But I have a lot of experience, and have been in
training camps with high profile champions like Canelo. I am just ready to
take what I know is mine.”
Munguia vs. Ballard is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental
Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer
Boxing. The fight will take place on Saturday, February 19 and will be
streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico.
