Devon Alexander and Shawn Porter promise victories

R. Schaefer    

Thanks, Austin. Gracias, Erislandy and I'll see you guys in New York. All right, so we are moving to the co-main event, a great world title fight with Devon Alexander against Shawn Porter. Devon Alexander, without any question, one of the big names in the sport of boxing, a former IBF Junior Welterweight and WBC Super Lightweight World Champion, a record of 25-1 with 14 KO's. Has wins over Lucas Matthysse, Marcos Maidana, Juan Urango, Junior Witter and on and on. That's why it makes him the star and the big name he is.

And with Shawn Porter we have one of the United States' best amateur boxers with that time, a top Welterweight fighter, scored earlier this year a dominant 10-round decision over previously unbeaten Phil Lo Greco. And to set the record straight this past September when he pounded out a clear-cut 10-round decision in the rematch with Julio Diaz, certainly a young fighter, a hungry fighter, a fighter who is ready to become world champion and when the opportunity presented itself to fight against Devon Alexander he was immediately on board.

This is the kind of opportunity young emerging stars are waiting for and Shawn Porter is going to be coming on December the 7 to the Barclays Center, not to pick up the paycheck - that, too - but to pick up a world title. And I know he's always exciting. He's going to be well-prepared. It's a pleasure now for me to introduce to you, Shawn Porter. Do you want to make some opening comments?

S. Porter        

No, just want to let you guys know that camp is going good, I'm working hard, studying Devon every day and when I'm not studying him I'm in the gym. So, doing what a professional athlete is supposed to do, stay on top of my grind, day and night, and I'll be ready on December 7th.

R. Schaefer    

Great. Thank you, Shawn. I'm going to introduce to you now Devon Alexander. Devon Alexander, as I said, former IBF Junior Welterweight and WBC Super Lightweight World Champion. He moved up in 2012 to the Welterweight division and was crowned the IBF Welterweight World Champion by defeating Randall Bailey right there at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

So, he's going to come back to the scene and he is going to want to make his next world title defense. He earlier this year made the first title defense against Lee Purdy in a match that only went seven rounds after he was being stopped, after Alexander stopped Purdy by way of technical knockout and so now here he is making his next world title defense from the Barclays Center. Please welcome Devon Alexander.

D. Alexander  

Hello, you guys, the media and everyone who are on the phone. This is an awesome fight. We know with Shawn Porter what I'm going to do. We know he's going to be ready, but it's not going to be enough. Yeah, training camp is going good. I'm in tremendous shape and will be ready to go 12 full rounds. If less, that's great, too. But I'm training to go the 12 full rounds and Shawn Porter better be ready December 7 because nobody is beating me, nobody. So, be ready.

Q

Hey, a question for you. You know, earlier this year you were supposed to fight; Kell Brook was considered a pretty big fight for both of you guys. He dropped out with the injury, you ended up fighting a replacement, Lee Purdy. And for this fight in December everybody thought, Richard said many times, both sides seemed to be into it, that you were supposed to fight Amir Khan, that would have been a pretty big fight.

For whatever reason he decided not to fight you and now you're fighting Shawn Porter, who - and no disrespect to Shawn - is not as big of a name at this point in boxing as Khan was and I'm wondering from your point of view, after the disappointment of the Brook fight dropping out and then Khan deciding not to fight you, are you feeling a little let down by the way your schedule has gone this year?

D. Alexander  

Well, I mean I just let my team handle that. Of course, I want the big names, I want the big wins so I can the notoriety that I want. Like you said, Kell Brook fell through and the Amir Khan fight fell through, which both would have been great wins for me. But everything happens for a reason.

I'm just a fighter. If the fighters don't want to get in the ring with me, what can I do? The only thing I can do is trust in my team to give me the best opponent, the best things that I need at the time. So, maybe it's not meant for me to fight a U.K. fighter because every time I'm scared to fight one of them if something happens.

You know, I leave it up to my team. And if Shawn Porter is going to the next victim, that's going to be it. So, hey, what can I do?

Q        

Well, you did fight Lee Purdy, who is from the U.K., so I'm not sure that theory holds up. But my question to continue on that topic is, with regard to Brook, he had a legitimate injury, obviously, with the stress fracture so there was an understandable reason why he couldn't fight you in July, or I forget what month it was, but he didn't fight you because of the injury.

But Amir Khan doesn't have an injury, so what are your thoughts about Amir kind of doing the dance with you to negotiate and saying that he was going to fight you and all this other stuff and then back out?

D. Alexander  

You know, you have to be a true champion and a true fighter. I'm an old school fighter and I'll fight anybody. If something happens, I just I can't call it. There are a lot of rumors out there about why Khan pulled it out or why this, why that. But I can't speak on that. I wanted to fight because I know that fight would have given another rise that I needed. I'm one of the best welterweights in the division and it didn't happen.

So, who knows what he's thinking, what his team is doing, I don't know. I think that based on if I was the best risk, that I was too much right now for him or whatever. I don't know, but I was ready to fight him in December, but he pulled it out so it didn't happen that way.

Q        

So, now you have Shawn in front of you, who is an undefeated young fighter. Just even based on his opening remarks, he seems hungry. I've watched him a long time and I know he's probably really up for this challenge that you present to him. Have you seen him fight before and what do you think about his potential to be a champion someday?

D. Alexander  

Yeah, I saw him fight before. I know Shawn from the amateurs and I fought him when I was little and I beat him and I don't see any difference in December 7th. Might as well keep the thing rolling. But, I know Shawn. He's a good fighter, a good kid. But his skills are limited. I mean, you can't beat me if you don't remember that. You have to be something special and I'm going to be ready December 7th whatever he brings, whatever. You know, him and his dad's plan, it's not going to work because my coach, he's a master strategist. He broke Shawn Porter down from the feet to the head, so it doesn't matter. So, we'll be ready.

Q        

When did you fight him as an amateur, Devon?

D. Alexander  

At the Ohio State Fair.

Q        

And did you remember the fight? How long ago was that?

D. Alexander  

Man, that's when I was eight or nine.

Q        

Oh, you were a little kid.

D. Alexander  

Yeah, I was little.

Q        

You actually remember the fight? I mean you had a lot of amateur fights.

D. Alexander  

Yeah, yeah, I remember the fight. I remember the fight. That was one of my bigger tournaments that I went to when I first started, so that's one of the ones that stuck with me that I remember because it was one of the very first ones that my coach took me to.

Q

Did you win a decision in the fight?

Q

And there were some rides there, some roller coasters and I was excited to be there, so I was a kid, so you know I was happy.

Q

Did you win a decision?

D. Alexander  

Yeah.

Q        

All right, thank you for that, Devon. Hey, Shawn, do you remember that fight that he's talking about? You're even younger I think than Devon is?

S. Porter        

Yeah, I remember going three one-minute rounds throwing punches at each other, I remember that.

Q        

So, you're saying not much of a fight then, not a real fight.

S. Porter        

No, man it's not much difference between then and now, but we're grown men now and, like you said, I'm hungry and I'm up for the challenge so December 7th, but we'll see December 7th.

Q        

So, one other question for you then. Where I understand where Devon is coming from and the disappointment maybe that Khan decided not to take that challenge because he wanted to fight the bigger name. On the opposite end of that, you've got to be thrilled that Amir Khan didn't take the fight because now you get a shot at a world title. Can you talk about your enthusiasm for seeing what happened with Khan rejecting the fight and you getting the opportunity to get what's the biggest fight of your career by far?

Q       

Like you said, just a lot of enthusiasm. After that fight watching to see who is going to make what moves and what belts are going to be fought for and all that kind of stuff, when I saw that Amir Khan was talking about fighting Devon I kind said, okay, well maybe we'll get one of those two after that fight.

And when Amir stepped down it was like, okay, it's got to be me. And so you're waiting by the phone, waiting on it to be you and then finally it's you. So, just a lot of excitement built up inside my body and I can't wait to let it out. I'm going to be ready. I'm going to be ready mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, all the way. I'm a well rounded fighter. I've got way more to bring to the ring than Devon thinks and I'm going to show him that on December 7th.

Q

Hey, you spent a number of years, I don't know how long in terms of fights maybe you can tell me, as a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao. Obviously, he's a southpaw. Can you tell me how many fights that was and what you gained from that experience heading into this fight against Devon who is a southpaw?

S. Porter        

I trained with Manny for Miguel Cotto and then also again for Shane Mosley, so I've got a lot of rounds under my belt with Manny Pacquiao and a lot of experience, but I think more than anything it just makes me comfortable again fighting a southpaw with some quick hands and some quick feet.

It's nothing that I haven't seen before, nothing that I've never been in the ring with, so I think December 7th, I'll be bringing a little bit more to the ring than Devon will in terms of experience against fighters, against the fight style that I'm up against. Manny Pacquiao is arguably one of the best of our time right now and I've gone toe-to-toe with him, I backed him up, I made him really fight me.

So, a lot of experience in the gym and around the world fighting, so this is an opportunity that Richard Schaefer spoke on that you can't help to rise to the occasion and I'm excited about it and I will be ready for it.

Q

First of all, you've had some pretty solid performances at 147 pounds. You've said that the reason for some of your questions in the fights you've had during the latter part of your 140 pound career were because of weight loss. You came real close to having a really signature performance against Maidana and I know your criticism of yourself was that had you had that fight again you would stop him.

Could this be the signature fight that you're looking for against a solid opponent that you can look spectacular? If so, what aspects of your game do you think will be accentuated against Shawn Porter?

D. Alexander  

Well, as you guys can see, every fight I'm getting better and better. When I made my move to 147, each fight I got better and better and better. I'm learning something from every day. You don't see just one style in Devon Alexander. You just see me standing there or you just see me box or you can see me do most new things. So, that's what people are now realizing.

But this fight is going to be one of my signature fights. Sean Porter is going to come to fight. Of course he is, he's supposed. That's what he's supposed to do. But it's not going to be enough. I believe in my skills. You've got to believe in yourself, believe in your skills. You know, as far as sparring with Pacquiao. I'm not a sparring partner. I don't go around sparring with people. I don't have that mentality. When you go around sparring other fighters, you know get that sparring mentality, right. You know, I need to take off, I need to let him beat me; I don't have that. I'm not a sparring partner.

You know, you can have all the sprint and sparring and this and that. But this is fighting. When you get in the ring it's about skill. So, I'm getting better and better. He's going to see it December 7th. What I'm going to, you know, I'm getting better. You guys will say, wow, he is getting better and better each fight. So, you've got to see it.

Q

Okay, Devon, my last question to you is how is your left hand, the one you injured against Purdy and how is the, obviously, you wanted to get in the ring earlier, how has the time off helped you?

D. Alexander  

Yeah, the left hand is good. I've been going to therapy for about a month and a half and I've been throwing my left hand like a rocket this year. You guys will see more of that come December 7th. Like I said, and I'm ready to rock.

Q

What did you say about you're going to throw it like what?

D. Alexander  

Like a rocket.

Q        

Thanks for taking the time. The question is for Shawn. Shawn, Devon called your skills limited. I'm wondering how you take that, do you take offense to it and also I do have to think that Devon is the best guy that you've ever fought, right? I mean, this is at least one step up from anyone that you've ever fought before, is he not?

S. Porter        

Well, he's the world champion so he's got to be the best up to this point. As far as he calling my skills limited, that gives me confidence that he doesn't know what he's up against. That gives me confidence that he won't be ready for this fight. If he hasn't seen anything yet that I can't beat him with, he will see it December 7th, that's for sure.

Q        

And sort of technically how do you see that fight unfolding? Kind of give me a game plan, but what sort of fight do you see happening, a distance fight, a trading or slick boxing? What kind of a fight are we going to see?

S. Porter        

He's a good boxer, I'm not going to try to box him early in the fight. He's quick, I've got to match his quickness. I've got to match his speed and I'm more powerful than him, so I think you'll see me rough him up and show that I'm a powerful, better boxer than that.

Q

And, Devon, what do you think of that game plan from Shawn? He says he's more powerful than you, he thinks he can rough you up.

D. Alexander  

That's what a lot of people say until they get in the ring. That's what Maidana said, that's what Urango said, that's what a lot of fighters that I fought. I've heard that before. I've heard the same song, this and that. I say his power is limited. You saw what happened. People better not underestimate my power, because it's there.

But you'll see. Like I said, his game plan is his game plan, but that doesn't mean that's the right game plan.

Q        

And for fans who haven't seen maybe too much of Shawn Porter, can you give me an assessment, a scouting report of what he brings to the table, strengths and weaknesses? I said for fans that especially haven't seen much of Shawn Porter, can you give me a scouting report, what he brings to the table, his strength and his weakness?

D. Alexander  

He brings toughness. He's going to be tough. He's going to be game. He's not just going to lay down. And he's going to be in shape and he's going to come prepared. He's got some skills. Like I said, this is boxing. He's been boxing since he's an amateur, so, he's got to have some type of skills. He's in this for a reason and you can't take him lightly. I'm going into this fight like I'd fight Floyd Mayweather and that's what I'm going to do.

Q

Hi, Devon. The question I have for you is that you became a champion at the age of 22 and a lot of people kind of forget that you're only 26 years old right now. Do you think right now that you've only matured as a fighter?

D. Alexander  

I guess you hit the nail right on the coffin, I definitely have. I feel a lot of things that I used to do that I could have been doing, but I'm doing them now. My confidence level is up. I'm highly motivated. I'm focused, I'm zoned in. That's why I say nobody can beat me. I'm at a point in my career that I'm at the peak of my career. I'm at the prime and I'm fully focused, I'm zoned in and that's why I say nobody can beat me. When I'm zoned in and focused and prepared nobody can beat me and that's where I'm at right now.

Q

Okay. My next question now is for Shawn Porter. Shawn, given the fact that you avenged your only blemish against Julio Diaz in your last fight, does that give you extra confidence going into this fight?

S. Porter        

There's a lot of confidence coming up for that fight. I think every fighter, we go to the gym every day to improve and learn and get better and I think in that fight, I'm able to take a look at that fight and see where I've improved and gotten better and that more than anything gives me confidence, knowing that I can do all of what I did in that fight against Diaz and more than that against Devon to beat him. So, a lot of confidence built up inside of me right now and around my camp as well.

Q

Richard, the question I have for you is this fight is at welterweight. Are you ideally looking to match the winner of this fight with the winner of Malignaggi/Judah?

R. Schaefer    

Well, you know the welterweight division as to super welterweight, junior middleweight as well are very loaded divisions. I think the 147, the welterweight, is probably the most loaded of any division in the sport, so there are a lot of opportunities and possibilities there. Certainly the winner of that fight is one of the possibilities, but there are so many other names here at 147, which could be put in, so opponents for the winner of that fight.

Q        

Hey, Devon, hey, Shawn. Shawn, you talked a little bit about how you wanted to be a welterweight champion. Can you tell us a little bit about how this opportunity falls in line with your goals?

S. Porter        

This is great. It's a wonderful opportunity. It's funny because sometimes I may just walk past this door and see my reflection in that window and just think to myself, oh, that's what a world champion looks like. So, it's like everything that I've ever wanted, everything I've been working for, literally it's coming to pass now and it's a wonderful feeling.

I know that it's a great opportunity that I actually get in the ring and do everything that I'm talking about doing, but the best part about it is I believe that I can and I'm excited to get in there and do it and perform at the Barclays Center, which is just an unbelievable venue and just a lot of excitement. And, like you said, becoming a world champion, that's number one goal right now.

I'm actually the other day thinking to myself, man, I've got to come up with some new goals now because this awesome goal is about to be accomplished and I'm just very excited about it.

Q        

Okay. And then finally, Devon is a dangerous fighter. He's a world champ, but you talked earlier about how you've been studying him on film. Do you look back at the Bradley fight, in particular, and think how your aggressive style and your improved defense can force him to quit again?

S. Porter        

You know what, I'm going to do whatever it takes to win this fight and if that's making him quit, if that's making him sit down and not get up, if that's knocking him down and him not getting up, if that's taking this fight 12 rounds and winning the decision, I'm prepared. I will be prepared to do whatever it takes to go home with that IBF title. And I'm just too hell bent on winning that fight and having that title not to have it. I'm looking forward to nothing after the fight; everything is this fight and that's it.

And you take a look at the Bradley fight and you look at what he did and I know that I'm a little sharper than Bradley was in that fight and I can get to Devon's body a little bit better than Bradley did and I can get to his head a little bit better than Bradley did and I may do some things a little bit better than Bradley did, you know, if it comes to Devon quitting, which the kid is from St. Louis. I'm not expecting him to quit at all.

I'm expecting him to come 100 percent with his best and, like he said, in his zone. And I think this will make for a great fight. You see two fighters, two young fighters in the zone fighting for one goal and that's that world championship belt. He's trying to keep it, I'm trying to take it. It's going to be an exciting night December 7th and I'm ready to do whatever it takes to win that fight.

Q

I said you're definitely not saying kids from St. Louis are as tough as kids from Cleveland, right?

S. Porter        

Not at all, man. We do what we have to do as fighters so I think from that aspect it's just a mutual respect. I know where he's from. I know what he's about and I'm pretty sure he knows the same. If not, he knows that I've been around this game long enough to know that I've got to come 100 percent on December 7th or I can't win the fight. So, there's no questions that won't be answered before we get to that ring December 7th. You'll see some fireworks December 7th for sure.

Kenneth Porter (Shawn's Father/Trainer)                  

I've got question. I've got a quick question. Did you Shawn get cut in any of his fights?

K. Swanson    

Okay, just make your point then.

Kenneth Porter (Shawn's Father/Trainer)      

The point I was making was we've been cut in our fights, we continue, we don't stop. We don't blink, like Devon did, when he'd rub his eye and say I've got something in the wrong eye and not the eye that I got hit in, not the eye I got cut in or anything to that effect.

We're coming to win. We have absolutely nothing that's going to stop us. I'm going to cut the kid before they go in the ring. We're not going to have no excuses.

R. Schaefer    

All right. Thank you, guys. Thank you to everybody. I just want to say I think what we've seen in those two interviews we had today with Lara and Trout and Alexander and Porter is there's certainly sparks and those sparks will carry into the ring on Saturday night, December the 7th. Great quadruple header three world title fight.

And, again, I think what we have done, Golden Boy, this year is to make it affordable. For as little as $25, yes, $25 you can be in one of the best venues in the world, the Barclays Center, a brand new, multi-billion dollar facility and you're going to be able to see three world title fights and the title for the Pride of Brooklyn between Malignaggi and Zab Judah. All that for as little as $25. I think make sure that your readers or your audience will know about it and they're going to show up on December the 7th. I'm very proud to put that card at the Barclays Center.

Thank you very much, Devon. Thank you very much, Shawn. And I'll see you all on December the 7th.

K. Swanson    

Thanks, everybody. That concludes our call,