Also Featuring Vergil Ortiz Jr., Keith Thurman, Emiliano Vargas, Omar Juarez & Marco Romero
A slew of boxing stars competing on the David Benavidez vs. Michael Cieslak event previewed their respective showdowns during a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, as undefeated Mexican superstar and unified WBA and WBO Cruiserweight World Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez takes on WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Michal Cieslak on Saturday, December 5 topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on DAZN through Prime Video from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Cieslak appeared at the event virtually from Poland as he nears his showdown against one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the sport in Phoenix’s Benavidez, who will look to make more history in his Arizona homecoming bout on December 5.
The press conference also featured all-action undefeated star Vergil Ortiz Jr. and former unified world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman, who meet in the co-main event, plus rising unbeaten Emiliano “El General” Vargas and contender Omar Juarez, who battle in a 10-round super lightweight attraction, as well as rising middleweight star Marco “El Tiburon” Romero, who meets Cruse Stewart in the eight-round opening bout at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The card also includes unbeaten Australian star Nikita Tszyu taking on Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in a 10-round super welterweight tussle.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and available through Ticketmaster.com.
The event is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions. Ortiz vs. Thurman is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. The Emiliano Vargas fight is co-promoted by Top Rank. The Nikita Tszyu fight is co-promoted by No Limit Boxing and the Rose Brothers.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday from Avalon Hollywood:
DAVID BENAVIDEZ
“We’ve been working extremely hard. We’ve already had 13-weeks of training camp. I come hard no matter who I’m facing. Cieslak is coming ready, because he knows it’s a great opportunity for him. I’m not taking anything for granted.
“I’m finally in the position to make myself the king at this weight class. Nothing is gonna stand in my way.
“My last fight was probably the best fight I’ve had in my whole career. It was the heaviest I’ve been and the fastest and strongest I’ve felt. Fighting the guys at lower weight classes has helped make this transition to cruiserweight easier. I feel like my combinations and punch output is gonna be too much for anyone in this division.
“I want to have the best performance of the night in front of my fans, and there’s a lot of competition for that on this card.
“I can adapt to anything and I’m very accurate with my attack. I’m ready for anything that comes my way.
“At the end of the day the accolades are important. This was the only thing standing in the way of making my next fight even bigger.
“I’m not looking past Cieslak. He’s a great fighter, but I’ve been fighting for my opportunities and now I have the chance to unify another title.
“I’m not willing to just say I’m the best, I’d rather earn it. I’m the best fighter in all of boxing, but I have to prove it.
“Cieslak is at this level for a reason. He’s got good combinations, but if he wants to give me a hard time, that’s when ‘El Monstro’ comes out.
“All these fighters here have that dog in us. We’re all trying to steal the show. I can’t wait to bring these fights to Phoenix, Arizona.”
MICHAL CIESLAK
“I’m very happy and cannot wait for this fight. I’m excited to come to the United States and share the ring with David Benavidez.
“My level of confidence is very high. I’ve been working my whole life for a fight like this. I can’t wait to show everyone all that I can do.
“I’ve watched a lot of David’s fights. He’s a great fighter who throws a lot of punches. But we’re both warriors. We’ve both been working toward a fight like this and I know we’ll give everyone a great show.
“I’ve seen David’s last fight and I thought Zurdo was fighting pretty well. You’ll see on December 5 what he could have done better.
VERGIL ORTIZ JR.
“I’m just very happy to be back in my element. All I know is boxing. I’m facing a very game opponent in Keith Thurman. He was my favorite welterweight in 2017 and I picked him over Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia.
“I just want the best fights. I’m really excited to part of this David Benavidez card, especially in Arizona. It’s gonna be a movie. I know that this fight is gonna be one that you don’t want to miss.
“There’s no better feeling than having a big fight coming up. People are overlooking Thurman because he got stopped by a world champion who can tie his shoes standing up.
“I just want to be in exciting fights. That’s the point of boxing. I want to be remembered as a guy who never said no to a fight.
“I don’t go in with the mentality to get someone out right away. I’ll feel him out and download information. Obviously I’m familiar with Thurman, but we’re not gonna take anyone lightly.”
KEITH THURMAN
“I have a lot of beautiful boxing history on my resume and I’m definitely looking to add another piece of history on December 5.
“I’m fighting one of the young guys who wants to be the future of boxing. But I’ve faced undefeated fighters in the past and I’ve delivered some upsets. That’s what I’m planning to do.
“I know some people are doubting me after my last performance, but styles make fights. This is a great fight that you’re not gonna want to miss. Don’t blink.
“This is a redemption fight. I always want to fight the best and be on the biggest stages. At the end of the day, it’s another part of boxing history.
“This fight made sense for me when it presented itself. I’m active and I’m gonna do my best to keep staying active.
“Tune in December 5. My last performance just wasn’t my night. I did feel I started to settle into the fight. I ultimately couldn’t show the world how much of a dog Keith Thurman is.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Ortiz brings to the table. I’m gonna do everything in my arsenal to break up his rhythm. This reminds me of when I fought Diego Chaves. I’m looking forward to upsetting the apple cart and re-establishing my name.”
EMILIANO VARGAS
“It’s a beautiful thing to see everyone come together to make this event. Every time I’ve fought in Arizona it’s been nothing but fireworks. The energy from that crowd is only going to make me fight harder.
I’m looking to close the year strong and move on to a big main event, but I can’t do any of that without getting past Omar Juarez. He’s a tough fighter who’s gonna bring the resilience out of me. It’s gonna be a great night for the fans.
“In order to make my dreams a reality, I have to crush Juarez’s. That’s what this sport is about. My dream has always been to become a world champion, and I’m knocking at the doorstep.
“Juarez has great experience and he’s never been stopped before. I believe I’m the guy to do that.
“We’re always getting better. I’m my biggest critic. I want to be the best fighter I can possibly be. I’m pushing my limits. Nothing is gonna stop me from closing the year out strong.
“Omar is a strong, tough fighter. His team knows what I can do. They’ve been in there first hand. Bob Santos has seen me grow up and go through the ranks. I’m ready to do whatever is necessary to win.”
OMAR JUAREZ
“I’m extremely excited to be back on the big stage. I can’t wait to deliver a spectacular fight. Expect nothing but fireworks.
“I’ve just been staying ready and staying active. I’ve been away from my home and working with Bob Santos in Las Vegas getting the best work and the best sparring.
“I want to become a world champion, so I know that I need to fight the big names. Emiliano is one of the biggest names in the division. I’m a competitor and I want to test myself in there.
“I’ve learned a lot from training in Las Vegas. Most important is that I’m made to be a prizefighter. I just can’t wait to demonstrate all my blood, sweat and tears and do what I love.
“Vargas is a good fighter. I won’t take anything away from him. I’m looking forward to getting competitive in there on fight night. It’s gonna be fan-friendly. We’re both coming to prove something.”
MARCO ROMERO
“I’m thankful for this opportunity. I’m super grateful. I’ve just been on two great cards and I’m just staying focused on delivering another knockout, especially with all these great champions. It’s gonna be nothing but action on December 5.
“As soon as we got out of the ring I told everyone I was ready. I was ready to go again the next day.
“This has been my statement year. I’m demonstrating that with every performance. I’m ready to stamp my name in the history books of boxing.
“We’ll see if Stewart can push me on December 5. Just remember, once I see the opening, the shark bites.
“We’ve gotta steal the night and get that Prospect of the Year. I’ve been knocking guys out with my right, but I’ve got that left hook too that I’m looking to demonstrate.”
JOSE BENAVIDEZ SR., David’s Father & Trainer
“I’m super excited about this fight and to have all these great young champions on the card as well.
“I can’t wait to be fighting in front of our crowd. Phoenix is where everything started for us. All I can tell you is that David Benavidez is ready and super motivated. He always brings excitement. December 5, don’t miss it.”
SAMPSON LEWKOWICZ, Sampson Boxing
“This is a tremendous card from top to bottom and we’re looking to sell out this event in David’s hometown. Make sure you don’t miss this one.”
“Cieslak has been training for five months, so I know that he will come bring the fight to David on December 5.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Golden Boy Promotions
“On December 5 Thurman, is facing a hard-hitter with the heart of a lion in Vergil Ortiz Jr. Thurman wants to derail Vergil’s plans, and Vergil wants to fight the best. Thurman wants to knock him off track. This is quite a fight in the co-main event.
“I know exactly what Keith Thurman brings to the table and exactly what his style and resume is. He brings heart to the ring every single fighter. I know he’s hungry, and when you have a hungry fighter with experience and IQ, he can upset quite a few fighters.”
BRITTON HARDIN, Head of Boxing, North America, DAZN
“I can’t help but smile at these press conferences because I’m just so enthusiastic about the future of this sport. When I look at this stage today, it looks like our vision is taking shape.
“Something tells me that Keith Thurman has a few more thrilling nights in him, but it won’t come easy against one of the most exciting fighters today in Vergil Ortiz Jr. I know he’s gonna try to come and steal the show.
“On December 5, David Benavidez is gonna put the boxing world on notice that this is ‘El Monstro’s’ era.
“You’re seeing the future of the sport unfold in front of your eyes, and the only place to see it is on the global home of boxing DAZN.”
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