JAIME MUNGUIA VS. LIAM SMITH FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Published by Shawn C.

LAS VEGAS (July 19, 2018): *Jaime Munguia *(29-0, 25 KOs), the
newly-crowned WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion of Tijuana, Baja
California, Mexico, and former world champion *Liam “Beefy” Smith* (26-1-1,
14 KOs) of Liverpool, England, held a final press conference ahead of their
12-round main event Saturday, July 21 at *The Joint* at the *Hard Rock
Hotel & Casino*, Las Vegas. The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing
After Dark beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

*Alberto “Explosivo” Machado* (19-0, 16 KOs) and *Rafael “Sweet Pea”
Mensah* (31-0,
23 KOs), who will fight for Machado’s WBA Super Featherweight World Title
in the co-main event, also participated.

Here’s what today’s participants said at today’s press conference:

*JAIME MUNGUIA**, WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion:*

“Liam Smith is a tough fighter. We know what kind of style he has. He’s the
type of fighter who will come forward and throw a lot of punches. He has an
advantage because he’s been in big fights before. But I have a lot of
experience as well. I’ve had over a hundred amateur fights and I have
fought all over Mexico. We also know what style he will bring. Smith is the
kind of fighter who will stand in front of you with a high guard and then
suddenly throw a lot of punches. We both come forward and we both throw a
lot of punches, so there is a high possibility that this fight will end in
a knockout. If we don’t get the knockout, I’m prepared to go the 12 rounds.
This has been the best camp of life. I am very prepared. My sparring has
gone well. I feel great and I will show that on Saturday. Don’t miss this
big fight!”

*LIAM SMITH, Junior Middleweight Contender:*

“It’s good to be back fighting in the United States. The last time I was
here I was treated very well. It was unfortunate to pull out of the Sadam
Ali fight. But my loss was Jaime Munguia’s gain. He stepped in and he won
the title.

I was kept in the mandatory position and now I’ve got my shot against a
good champion. It should be an exciting fight. He’s an exciting combatant
who comes to fight. He’s young and he’s hungry. But you know me. I’m not
going to come here and lie down. It’s not the Jaime Munguia show for me.
I’m here to do my job. I’m here to do what I set out to do and get my title
back.”

*ALBERTO “EXPLOSIVO” MACHADO**, WBA Super Featherweight World Champion: *

“I want to thank God for this opportunity. I’m excited to be fighting in
back-to-back events on HBO, the most important television platform in
boxing. It is a dream come true to be working for Miguel Cotto and Oscar De
La Hoya. I grew up watching Miguel Cotto fights as a kid in Puerto Rico, so
for me it is a dream come true to be here defending my title.”

“Rafael is the Number 1 contender for a reason. I’ve got great training at
the Wild Card Boxing Club where everyone is very strong. I thank Freddie
Roach for focusing on me for the past several weeks. I’m going back to
Puerto Rico a world champion.”

*RAFAEL MENSAH, Super Featherweight Contender:*

“I thank Golden Boy Promotions, HBO and Don King Productions. I thank
everyone who will see this fight live. This fight was a long time coming,
but now I’m happy Alberto Machado will fight me. I’m happy to fight on a
Golden Boy card. My uncle Ike Quartey fought with the Golden Boy, and now I
will fight on a Golden Boy card. Like my uncle, I will fight with everything
on Saturday.”

*OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions:*

“We have great fights in store for everyone. Jaime Munguia, who just
acquired his world title in spectacular fashion, is up against another
tough contender in Liam Smith. In the co-main event, we’re happy to work
with Miguel Cotto Promotions and Don King Promotions to bring this great
fight between Alberto Machado and Rafael Mensah. The fights are sure to be
a great. They are all prepared and good to go, so don’t miss all this
action.”

*Munguia vs. Smith* is a 12-round fight for the WBO Junior Middleweight
World Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with
Zanfer Promotions and Frank Warren. *Machado vs. Mensah* is a 12-round
fight for the WBA Super Featherweight World Title presented by Golden Boy
Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Don King
Productions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “*THE OFFICIAL BEER OF
BOXING” *and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event takes place Saturday, July 21,
2018 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. The
action-packed doubleheader will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark
beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

Tickets for *Munguia vs. Smith* are on sale and are priced at $20, $50,
$75, $100 and $125, not including applicable service charges and taxes. To
charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800)
745-3000 or The Joint Box Office at (702) 693-5000. Tickets will also be
available for purchase at www.goldenboytickets.com
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and www.ticketmaster.com
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