ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ/CARLOS “PRINCIPE” CUADRAS
MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT
BERNIE BAHRMASEL: Good afternoon and Good Morning to the international press and
thanks very much for joining us on this Media Conference Call promoting the highly
anticipated World Middleweight Championship between Unified Middleweight World
Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, (36-0, 33 KO’s) and WBA Middleweight World
Champion and Mandatory Challenger DANIEL “The Miracle Man” JACOBS, (32-1, 29 KO’s)
set for Saturday, March 18 from THE Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden in New York
City.
The Championship Event presented by K2 Promotions will be produced and distributed by
HBO Pay-Per-View starting at 9pm ET, 6pm PT. Tickets for the live event which are moving
fast, may be purchased online through Ticketmaster and TheGarden.com
Joining us first on the call today is the Consensus #1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World
from his training camp in Costa Rica, ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ. Sporting a
record of 46-0 with 38 knockouts, Roman is joined on the call by his longtime manager
CARLOS BLANDON to discuss his WBC Super Flyweight World Championship defense
against Mandatory Challenger SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI, (41-4-1, 38 KO’s), in the comain event on March 18th.
Later in the call, we will joined by former WBC Super Flyweight World Champion CARLOS
“PRINCIPE” CUADRAS and his trainer RUDY HERNANDEZ who are wrapping up camp in
Los Angeles, California.
In a special attraction 10-round super flyweight bout on the HBO Pay-Per-View, Cuadras
will battle Mexico City cross-town arch rival DAVID “SEVERO” CARMONA.
This past September 10 at the Fabulous Forum and telecast, “Chocolatito”and Cuadras
clashed in one of the best fights of 2016, as Roman Gonzalez won his fourth division world
title.
TOM LOEFFLER: We couldn’t be more excited to have ‘Chocolatito’ back on the show with
Gennady and it is a great match-up. On any other show it would clearly be the main event.
‘Chocolatito’ headlined the show last September at the Fabulous Forum and had a
tremendous victory over Carlos Cuadras winning a world title in his fourth weight division
and is universally considered the No. 1 pound for pound fighter in the world. We are
excited for this match-up. It is a tough match-up that’s mandated by the WBC against
Rungvisai from Thailand who is a very big puncher and I know many boxing fans are really
looking forward to this fight. With that I would like to introduce Carlos Blandon to say a
few words. He has been with Roman in training camp.
CARLOS BLANDON: I would like to thank everyone that is making this possible – HBO,
Teiken Promotions and K2 Promotions and Madison Square Garden for hosting us once
again on March 18. Roman and the whole ‘Chocolatito’ team is very excited and happy once
again to be showcasing Roman’s talents at Madison Square Garden, The Mecca of Boxing,
and we think it is going to be an excellent night of boxing on fight night. And thanks to
Gennady, who we admire and we are very happy to be fighting under his name once again.
At the same time having Carlos Cuadras with Rudy Hernandez being able to fight before us
makes for a full program of action.
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: First of all I want to say that we are ready for next
Saturday. I want to thank God and I want to thank HBO and K2 Promotions and Madison
Square Garden. Everything has gone great during this camp and once again it is an honor
to be on a card featuring Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs.
How was it to be a headliner on your last show?
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: It was a great opportunity in Los Angeles that HBO
gave me to fight Carlos Cuadras in the feature fight. It was a great fight with an amazing
atmosphere. The fans from Mexico and Nicaragua came out. I think it showed that I have
the power that I can fill a big arena like the Forum. I was very happy and to be the cofeature with Golovkin is another great opportunity and I realize that there are going to be a
lot of fans of Nicaraguan descent that will descend upon Madison Square Garden and I want
to give them a very positive result.
How was it fighting at the heavier weight? You got touched up a little in the Cuadras fight.
Do you feel you can dominate at the heavier weight?
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: I have always had respect for my opponent and it
was a very tough fight at 115. Never did I think it was going to be easy campaigning in this
division at 115 - it takes time to get used to and I think that’s what is happening at the
moment but I think I will be fine.
What was the reception like when you returned home after not only winning another world
title but passing the legend of Arguello by winning a fourth world title?
That day was very memorable when I returned home. People were lined up in the streets
and they were greeting me all over and to be honest, being home, they gave me their love.
The people of Nicaragua gave me their love and without question it makes me so happy to
represent the country of Nicaragua, that now after winning this world title I have to hold
onto it.
Do you feel a need move to move to higher weight divisions or do you feel you are fighting for
the guys in the lower weight classes?
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: From a legacy standpoint I have already
accomplished a lot and now my goal is to hold onto my fourth world title in order to gain
higher purses and more money and I want to continue to show that I am a quality fighter
and I am a great fighter and I want to move forward and I think a second fight with Cuadras
will certainly do that. But I am fixed on holding on to this world title moving forward.
What do you want to accomplish next?
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: A fourth world title was something that was an
absolute blessing. I want to thank God and it meant so much to me. No, aside from holding
onto my world title, I could possibly go for a fifth world championship – in a different
weight division – but first I understand that I need to hold onto to this title at the moment.
How many tickets are left for the fight at Madison Square Garden?
TOM LOEFFLER: The tickets are selling very well. The last show where Gennady and
‘Chocolatito’ had fought together at the Garden in October 2015, we were completely sold
out and right now the tickets are ahead of that. So we expect a sold out arena and the fans
have reacted to the combination again of Gennady and ‘Chocolatito’ on the same show.
How does this opponent compare to Cuadras and what type of challenges do you expect?
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: I always know it’s going to be a different rival and
challenge. Against Carlos Cuadras it was a great fight and I certainly learned a lot in that
match-up and especially in my training camp. On this one coming up on the 18th of March,
I expect a great fight and I want to put on a great fight for the fans and I realize what I have
to do because at the end of the day I want to have my had raised in victory.
Do you want to fight Cuadras again? How did that fight compare to the toughest you have
had?
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: As I look at a fight coming up against Carlos
Cuadras again I realize I have to train harder. Every opponent presents different
challenges. I do believe that the second fight, the rematch, will be better. But heading into
the rematch, assuming all goes according to plan, I will be confident and I know he will be a
little bit more because of the time we shared in the ring. I do believe I can go out there and
get the knockout in the rematch.
Do you feel better training in Costa Rica than in California?
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: Every camp is very good. Every camp runs very
well when it comes to training in Costa Rica. I like it because I almost feel at home as if in
Nicaragua. There are mountains here and water and I just feel so comfortable in Costa
Rica.
You have a tough fight coming up on the 18th and Cuadras says that you didn’t want the
rematch immediately…
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: It doesn’t really matter what he says. If he wants
to go ahead and get into a verbal match with me, that’s not what I am going to focus on. I
am the champion right now. I realize that the rematch is down the line. I have a lot of
respect for him. I am fighting for the lower weight classes and a rematch will be in the
cards if it does transpire. That will happen down the line and I am all about fighting for the
lower weight classes to make them prominent in boxing.
This is a tough time in the United States for Hispanics and Latinos . . .
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: My fight is for the public. I am always very happy
for the adulation. These days I want to move forward and make people happy by my
performance.
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ: Thank you very much to all of the public, God bless
you and we will see you Saturday on March 18.
CARLOS BLANDON: We are so appreciative of everything and getting ready for March 18 –
Roman is training his heart out. You are going to see a faster and stronger Roman and wee
are putting everything in God’s hands. Thanks again to HBO Teiken and K2 and The Garden
for making this possible.
__________________________________
RUDY HERNANDEZ: We are ready and we are just wishing the fight was tomorrow.
CARLOS CUADRAS: I am very well trained and I am excited for this fight. My goal is to
come out and win against Carmona on March 18
When you fought Chocolatito, did you feel as if you were fighting for the smaller weight
classes?
CARLOS CUADRAS: We are obviously fighting for higher purses and we are representing
the lighter weight classes. We are going to give a show and demonstrate our high quality
action. But we do realize when we fight inside that ring that we can provide action and put
on a show as good as if not better than the higher weight classes and that will lead to more
lucrative purses and higher paydays down the line.
Chocolatito has talked about fighting at 118. Would you accept a rematch at 118?
CARLOS CUADRAS: I will do it at whatever weight he wants to do it at. If he wants to fight
and do the rematch at 118, no problem. We can even do the rematch in the heavyweight
division. It will be a great fight. I am going to bring the fight to him. I have the medicine in
my hands and the power to get after and to dispel of ‘Chocolatito’.
You always seem happy and smiling in such a brutal sport…
CARLOS CUADRAS: I love boxing and boxing is my life. If someone has a passion for
something in anything that they do it shows and with me I love boxing. It is absolutely my
life and I enjoy being in the gym competing against great fighters, partaking in the sport of
boxing and it is something that I really love.
Do you think that helps lighten the pressure?
CARLOS CUADRAS: I enjoy the moment. I don’t let the pressure get to me. I don’t pay
attention to that. I get to fight in these massive arenas. Every day when I step in the ring
my focus is squarely on the opponent across from me. Thank you very much and say hello
to all of those in Mexico!
Juan Francisco Estrada has called you out – so what do you think about him or ‘Chocolatito’?
CARLOS CUADRAS: Juan Francisco Estrada is a great fighter and it is almost a guarantee
since we are both of Mexican descent that we will collide at some point down the line. But
it is true that I want to fight Chocolatito in the rematch. That is what I want. He has the
world title and that is what I want. But down the line we will have a match with Estrada.
What do you think about the Canelo-Chavez Jr. fight?
CARLOS CUADRAS: Julio Cesar Chavez should win the fight. He is bigger and he is
stronger and if he comes in condition and ready to perform at the highest level I think he
should get the victory.
How do the Mexican fans respond to you?
CARLOS CUADRAS: As to the response of the Mexican boxing fans they absolutely
embrace me following my fight with Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.
Do you feel that, since you did not get an immediate rematch, that it may not happen at all?
I do believe that he is running from me. He has fear of me. Look, if he wants to fight me at
118, no problem. I will go up to 118 pounds. Whatever weight he is, if he will give me the
fight, I will be there and I will fight him in the rematch.
How much of a chance do you give Rungvisai against Chocolatito?
Rungvisai is a very strong opponent and hits hard. If Chocolatito allows him to have his
distance, he could knock him out so he has to be wary. He is a very tough and dangerous
opponent, as I can attest to.
RUDY HERNANDEZ: Carlos is looking to shine on March 18 and hopes to steal the show
and hopes HBO gives him the opportunity to fight again.
CARLOS CUADRAS: I have watched Carmona fight. He is from Mexico City and we are
fellow countrymen. I think he is a very tough fighter. I watched his last fight when he lost
by unanimous decision. But I am going to go out there and I will be looking for the
knockout.
TOM LOEFFLER: We are excited to have both Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez and Carlos
Cuadras on the card. This is a tremendous show that we have put together. They had a war
in September of last year and Carlos lost a close decision and we wanted to feature him
because he was a crowd favorite. Now with Roman defending his title against the
mandatory and GGG versus Jacobs we are very excited for next week.
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Consensus #1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter and WBC Super Flyweight World Champion
ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ, (46-0, 38 KO’s) will make the first defense of his
fourth divisional world title against Thailand’s SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI, (41-4-1, 38
KO’s) on Saturday, March 18 at The Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden.
In a special attraction 10-round clash, former WBC Super Flyweight World Champion
CARLOS “PRINCIPE” CUADRAS, (35-1-1, 27 KO’s) battles cross-town rival DAVID
“SEVERO” CARMONA, (20-3-5, 8 KO’s) of Mexico City.
The Championship Event presented by K2 Promotions will be produced and
distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
On September 10, 2016, Gonzalez and Cuadras battled in an epic “Fight of the
Year” candidate at The Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles. After twelve outstanding
rounds of action, Gonzalez was declared the victor. The fight was telecast live on
HBO.
Headlining the HBO Pay-Per-View event from on Saturday, March 18, Unified
Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, (36-0, 33 KO’s) will
defend his titles (WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO) against WBA Middleweight World Champion
and Mandatory Challenger DANIEL “THE MIRACLE MAN” JACOBS, (32-1, 29 KO’s)
in a highly anticipated divisional showdown.
Golovkin and Jacobs have an extraordinary, combined 35 consecutive knockouts
heading into this highly anticipated batt
GOLOVKIN vs. JACOBS is presented by K2 Promotions. Tickets priced at $1000, $600,
$400, $300, $200 and $100, are now on sale and can be purchased at the Madison Square
Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008)
and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com
SOCIAL MEDIA -- #GGGJACOBS
Gennady “GGG” Golovkin
@GGGBoxing – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Daniel Jacobs
@DanielJacobsTKO – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez
@ChocolatitoBox – Twitter
@ChocolatitoOfficial – Facebook
@Chocolatito87 – Instagram
Carlos Cuadras
@CuadrasOficial – Twitter
@CarlosCuadras – Facebook
@CuadrasOficial -- Instagram
HBO
@HBO, @HBOBoxing – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Madison Square Garden
@TheGarden – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Tom Loeffler (K2 Promotions)
@TomLoeffler1 -- Twitter
MEDIA CONTACTS
Bernie Bahrmasel/K2 Promotions (Golovkin)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (773) 592-2986
Tim Smith/Premier Boxing Champions (Jacobs)
Email: [email protected]
Larry Torres/Madison Square Garden
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (212) 631-5178
Kevin Flaherty/HBO
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (212) 512-5052
Patrick Byrne/HBO
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (212) 512-1361
Media Credentials: www.MagnaMedia.com