By Felipe Leon
Photos: Diego Morales
WBC USNBC super bantamweight champion Oscar “Fantasma” Gonzalez (27-1, 24KOs) and his challenger Giovanni “Ruso” Caro (23-10-4, 18KOs) met face to face today before their upcoming twelve round championship bout set for Saturday, May 19th, at the Plaza Monumental de Toros de Don Antonio in Tepic, Mexico. The title fight will be the main event of the seven-bout fight card presented by Erik Morales’ Box Latino and broadcast live in Mexico by Televisa’s “Sabados de Corona”.
After Box Latino’s COO Carlos Mera thanked the media and local promoter, Antonio Echeverria, the main event fighters took the mic to state their case for this Saturday night.
“I am 100% ready, I’m expecting a tough fight since my opponent is a dangerous one,” Caro of Mexico City, Mexico, stated. Caro challenged for the world title two fights ago versus IBF belt holder Takalani Ndlovu in a war that Caro lost via a controversial split decision. “I am bringing everything and I know it is going to be a great fight.”
Gonzalez also had a chance to address the assembled media and stated that he was very motivated to come home to Tepic, “First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Antonio Echeverria and my promoter Box Latino for giving me the opportunity to return to Tepic. I am ready to give my best. This is a fight that I have been asking for; it is a good fight for my record and my career. I am going to win and satisfy the people of Tepic.”
“About my opponent, what can I say? He is a tough fighter and I am expecting a difficult fight but I am not going to let him put another bad mark on my record,” Gonzalez finalized.
Fernando Fernandez, trainer of Gonzalez, also had some words expressing what this fight meant to his fighter.
“Oscar is very prepared and we hope this is the first step on the road to a world title later this year,” Fernandez stated. “You guys know that Oscar is a great fighter and he is going to prove it this Saturday night and I expect for this fight to be one of his best.”
In the semi-main event, undefeated NABF junior flyweight Pedro Guevara (17-0-1, 13KOs) of Mazatlan, Mexico, mentioned that he was more than ready to take on his next opponent, former Mexican national champion Jose Guadalupe “Lobito” Martinez (13-5-1, 13KOs) of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, in a twelve round championship fight. “I know that this Saturday I will have a challenge since Martinez is a fighter with a lot of wins and experience. He has four more years as a professional fighter than I do. I am ready for Saturday and I know this will be another step for me. I am looking for bigger and better things but I know I have to win this fight Saturday night.”
The slightly taller Martinez also had the opportunity to say what was on his mind regarding his next opponent, “I am coming in with the will to win. I know that I am going against an undefeated fighter and that is why I am expecting a great fight Saturday night. ”
Five more fights flesh out the fight card.
The official weigh-in will take place on Friday afternoon.
