Popular Mexican superstar and former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and dangerous brawler Andrzej Fonfara participated in the final the final press conference Thursday at Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, just two days before Saturday's SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader.
Chavez (48-1-1, 32 KOs) of Culiacan, Mexico, and Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) of Chicago by way of Radon, Poland, will meet in the 12-round light heavyweight main event live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Chavez will make his eagerly awaited return to the ring and first start for new trainer Joe Goossen.
Tickets for the event co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, and are on sale online at AXS.com.
JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., Former World Champion
"I had a great training camp. I feel better than ever. I am ready for the fight.
"I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.
"I have worked on my boxing during my one year off, and I am very excited and motivated to get back in the ring.
"I have worked so hard for this fight because I am fighting in a new weight class. I must punch harder, so I have focused on getting stronger during this training camp.
"I have a great chin, I know how to take punches and my conditioning is great. A lot of fighters can take a punch, but I can take multiple punches and not be hurt.
"I think that Andrzej Fonfara is one of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division. Inside of boxing, everyone knows who Fonfara is. He knocked down one of the best boxers in the world in Adonis Stevenson.
"Fonfara is disciplined in the ring, but he doesn't vary his punches.
"I understand that my dad didn't want me to take this fight. I had bigger names I could've fought, but I think that Fonfara is a great challenge for me and I like the challenge.
"I would like to thank SHOWTIME for making this fight happen."
