LAS VEGAS (Sept. 8, 2014) – “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” SHOWTIME PPV undercard fighters Manuel “Suavecito” Roman, Miguel “Títere” Vázquez, Mickey “The Spirit” Bey and James De La Rosa have wrapped up their training camps and have made their way to Las Vegas to set the stage for the most anticipated rematch of the year. Expectations are high, but the Saturday, Sept. 13 undercard promises to deliver, live on SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
In the main event, undefeated 11-time world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather will square off against Marcos “Chino” Maidana in a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBA Welterweight, WBC Welterweight and WBC Super Welterweight World Titles.
In the co-feature, Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz will put his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title on the line against Roman. In the second pay-per-view fight of the evening, Vázquez will defend his IBF Lightweight World Championship against Bey in a 12-round bout. In the opening fight of the telecast, Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo will face De La Rosa in a 10-round middleweight bout.
Fight week has arrived, and as the fighters prepare for their bouts, Roman, Vázquez, Bey and De La Rosa answered some questions about how they’ve trained for boxing’s biggest stage.
MANUEL ROMAN
Q: We’re less than a week away from fight night. How are you feeling physically?
A: There’s a little fatigue, but after training camp I’ll be in good shape.
Q: Where did you train and who did you train with?
A: In South Gate, Calif. with my trainer Salvador Casillas.
Q: What made you decide to train there?
A: I’ve been with Salvador for a couple of years and we wanted to keep things consistent.
Q: What did you do to pass the time when you’re not at the gym?
A: I like to be with my family. I rest a lot, and we like to go to the park for walks.
Q: What motivates you most during training camp?
A: This is pay-per-view and on Floyd Mayweather’s undercard. There aren’t a lot of fighters who get this opportunity so I want to take advantage.
Q: You make a living in the toughest, most hardnosed sport there is. So what makes you truly happy?
A: Performing at my best for the fans is motivation. My family comes first though. Them being happy is most important.
Q: Did any family come along with you for training as you prepare for this fight?
A: They all live close by, but my dad is always around. He’s my biggest supporter.
Q: You’re coming off of consecutive wins. Do you think that you’re carrying some momentum heading into your fight with Leo Santa Cruz?
A: Yes, of course. I feel great coming off of those two wins and there shouldn’t be any ring rust.
Q: Santa Cruz has said that you have nothing to lose coming in to this fight and everything to gain. Do you agree with his assessment?
A: That’s actually a good way to say it. I agree with him.
Q: Are you doing anything special to prepare for Leo’s style of fighting? Do you see anything unique about his style that you’re looking to expose?
A: I’m going to need to throw a lot of counter punches, and I’ll have to have a lot of oxygen to handle all the punches (Santa Cruz) will throw.
MIGUEL VAZQUEZ
Q: We’re less than a week away from fight night. How are you feeling physically?
A: I’m feeling very good and strong. I’m prepared in every way and ready to win.
Q: Where did you train and who did you train with?
A: With with Javier Capetillo Sr. at the Ponce De Leon Boxing Gym in Montebello, Calif.
Q: What made you decide to train there?
A: It’s a great private gym that I’m familiar with.
Q: What did you do to pass the time when you’re not at the gym?
A: I tried to rest and spend time with my family. That’s what I like to do with my free time.
Q: What motivates you most during training camp?
A: The Lord helps me and takes me to victory. That’s my greatest motivation.
Q: You make a living in the toughest, most hardnosed sport there is. So what makes you truly happy?
A: Jesus Christ and the money.
Q: Did any family come along with you for training as you prepare for this fight?
A: Yes, it’s been great having my family around. They help make camp more comfortable and are very supportive.
Q: You’re coming off of 13 consecutive wins. Do you think that momentum will help you come Sept. 13?
A: Yes, the momentum is definitely going to help. I’m just very motivated to get another win and keep this going.
Q: This will be your third fight at MGM Grand. Do you believe that your previous experiences there will help you, and if so, how?
A: Yes, the experience should help. I’ve matured more too and that is going to help also. I’m mentally prepared for this fight.
Q: You’ve been getting more and more professional experience against American fighters. Do you notice any major differences between Mexican and American fighters?
A: No, I feel like all fighters are complicated and risky. I prepare for each of them the same.
Q: Are you doing anything special to prepare for Mickey’s style of fighting? Do you see anything unique about his style that you’re looking to expose?
A: I really don’t watch too much video to study guys. I trust my trainer and let him guide me as far as the strategy is concerned.
MICKEY BEY
Q: We’re less than a week away from fight night. How are you feeling physically?
A: I feel great. I was ahead of schedule. We’ve been putting in a lot of work to get to this point.
Q: Where did you train and who did you train with?
A: I’ve been preparing with Floyd Mayweather Sr. at Mayweather Boxing Club.
Q: What made you decide to train there?
A: I’ve been training there for a while, so we just wanted to continue with what’s been successful.
Q: What have you been doing to pass the time when you’re not at the gym?
A: I don’t do that much actually. I rest. I might drop by the gym to see Floyd train. Other than that I just eat, sleep and train.
Q: What motivates you most during training camp?
A: I want to become a world champion. I know I could have done it a while ago, but I’m with the right team now and I have the opportunity.
Q: You make a living in the toughest, most hardnosed sport there is. So what makes you truly happy?
A: Living up to the expectations that I set for myself.
Q: You’re coming off of consecutive wins. Do you think that you’re carrying some momentum heading into your fight with Miguel Vazquez?
A: Yes, absolutely. I’m always working on improving. I think I improve rapidly and I’ll do whatever I can to get better.
Q: You’ve fought at MGM Grand once before. Do you believe that your previous experience there will help you, and if so, how?
A: As long as there’s a ring, it doesn’t matter where it is. If there’s a ring I’m going to fight. I might enjoy fighting on the biggest stage, but the fight is going to be the same no matter where it happens.
Q: Do you think that your 10th round loss to John Molina Jr. last year was a setback for you, and did you learn any particular lessons from that defeat?
A: It wasn’t a setback because I won every round. I started playing around at the end and he got me. I only really got hit three times, and he kind of blindsided me at the end. The fight was easy though.
Q: How’s everything going with Floyd Mayweather Sr. in training? Are you doing anything new this time around in training camp?
A: We stepped things way up this time around. We’re doing old school stuff. People wonder why he’s such a good trainer. It’s because he came up around guys who worked with greats like Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson. We’ve been working on some of the same things those guys practiced.
Q: Are you doing anything special to prepare for Miguel’s style of fighting? Do you see anything unique about his style that you’re looking to expose?
A: Yes, there are things I can expose. I’m not preparing any differently though. I’m good at adapting and my preparation helps me be ready for everything.
JAMES DE LA ROSA
Q: We’re less than a week away from fight night. How are you feeling physically?
A: I feel really good. This is probably the best I’ve ever felt and the closest I stayed on weight throughout camp.
Q: Where did you train and who did you train wtih?
A: I’m trained in my hometown of Harlingen, Texas with my dad.
Q: What made you decide to train there?
A: I wanted to be close to my family.
Q: What have you been doing to pass the time when you’re not at the gym?
A: I’m always at the gym. I’m always trying to stay consistent and doing something to keep myself loose.
Q: What motivates you most during training camp?
A: The opportunity that I have and the spot that I’m in right now. Sometimes it takes fighters a long time to recover from losses, but I have the opportunity to keep on going and prove that I belong.
Q: You make a living in the toughest, most hardnosed sport there is. So what makes you truly happy?
A: Being in the ring makes me happy. My kids keep me happy of course, but being at the gym and in the ring is always on my mind. I love what I do, and I love putting on a show for the people. I’ve been boxing since I was eight. So I really love everything about the sport.
Q: Did any family come along with you for training as you prepare for this fight?
A: My dad’s my head trainer so he motivates and pushes me. I’ve always asked my dad to treat me like any other fighter. So he works with me and always encourages me.
Q: After dropping two of your last four bouts, do you think your fights with Conyers and Willis were setbacks for you?
A: They were losses, but I learned a lot from both of those fights. Now I’m coming back harder than ever, and I know what I have to do to continue being successful in this sport.
Q: This will be your first fight at MGM Grand. Angulo has fought there once before earlier this year. Do you think that his familiarity having fought there previously will play to his advantage?
A: No, because when I get in the ring I feel that it’s my time to put on a show. It doesn’t matter who I’m fighting or where he’s been. Whether the crowd is rooting for him or not, he’s going to know my name by the end of the night.
Q: Are you doing anything special to prepare for Angulo’s style of fighting? Do you see anything unique about his style that you’re looking to expose?
A: I’ve seen a lot of stuff that I hope to expose. There are lots of things that he does wrong, and we’ve been working so that I can capitalize on them once we get in the ring.
