Philippines, 01 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter Jr. Final Press Conference Quotes

PhilBoxing.com




Lightweight World Champions Clash in Unification Fight That Headlines Action Saturday, July 28 Live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

LOS ANGELES (July 26, 2018) - Lightweight world champions Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference two days before they enter the ring for a 135-pound title unification Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Joining them Thursday and competing on the three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) were Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis ?The Real King Kong? Ortiz and former title challenger Razvan Cojanu, who meet in a 10-round bout plus unbeaten super lightweight contender Mario ?El Azteca? Barrios and hard-hitting Jose Roman, who compete in a 10-round showdown.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, begin at $50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from Conga Room at L.A. Live:



MIKEY GARCIA

?This will be my first title unification match. It means a lot to face another unbeaten champion. It will help my legacy and my career. I?m taking the proper steps to move forward and cement my name for the ages.

?There isn?t another fight in front of me right now that gets me excited other than this one against Robert Easter Jr. He?s going to come with everything he has. This is definitely his biggest fight and I believe we?ll be able to bring the best out of each other.

?Me and Robert Easter Jr. are the only unbeaten champions in the division. So in my eyes, the winner is the best fighter in the division.

?I?m very happy to be fighting again in Los Angeles. It?s been seven years since I fought here. To give fans a chance to see this big fight live at STAPLES Center is a great thing. I?m very thankful that we could have the fight here. Most opponents wouldn?t have come here.

?I?m coming back to STAPLES Center as a world champion and I have a chance to unify in my hometown. There?s nothing better that I could ask for. I?m going to do everything I can to come out victorious on Saturday night.

?I?m glad that Robert is confident coming into this fight. I believe that he will show up the best possible version of himself. That?s what gets me even more motivated and excited for this fight.

?I?m here to take the biggest fights and biggest challenges. I will be at welterweight very soon and I look forward to taking on the best there. Everyone says not to do it, and that?s what excites me and motivates me the most.?

ROBERT EASTER JR.

?I really don?t pay attention to being ?overlooked? or what my opponents say leading up to a fight. On July 28 we still have to get in there and throw these hands. Nothing said by him or anyone outside bothers me at all.

?The only big name Mikey Garcia has beaten is Adrien Broner. I?m going to give him problems. I believe with our skills and record, the winner of this fight is the best fighter in the weight class.

?This can add big attention to my career. It can help me get the recognition that I deserve. I look at all my fights like a big fight, but obviously this is unification. You will see two warriors in there on Saturday.

?It?s been a long time since I made my pro debut at STAPLES Center. You?re going to get a lot of action and excitement on Saturday night. Expect the unexpected.

?I had such a great training camp with coach Cunningham and my dad. It was all boxing all the time and really what I needed heading into a matchup like this.

?Everyone will be able to see my hard work pay off on Saturday night. I?m not the one who likes to talk about it, I want to show everybody what I got.

?These are the kind of fights that I?ve always wanted to be a part of. It?s a big fight that I know the fans are going to really enjoy. I?m going to give them something to remember.

?Being the underdog is what it is. Only one of us can be the favorite. We did what we had to do to prepare for this fight and on July 28 you?ll see it all in action.?

ROBERT GARCIA, Mikey?s Brother and Trainer

?There?s always risk in any fight. We?re very well-prepared for this big challenge and Mikey is in a great place mentally. Easter is a tall guy who I?m sure will try to use his reach and fight from the outside. But we?ll be ready for whatever he brings.

?This is obviously a big fight for Mikey against another elite boxer. When two undefeated guys are unifying, it?s always big. We had great sparring partners who prepared Mikey to be at his very best.

?We?re ready for the best Robert Easter possible. I?m not even looking at his past two performances. We?ve done what we had to do to be ready for this fight and the best version of our opponent.?

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM, Easter?s Co-Trainer

?Robert has always been a tremendous fighter and an excellent boxer when he wants to box. We just put extra emphasis on how we want to fight Mikey Garcia. Robert has the natural skill and ability, plus the size and reach to get this done.

?We?re prepared to dictate the tempo, control distance and range and do everything we want to do. We?ve done it so far in camp and we?re going to bring it into the ring on Saturday night.

?It?s obvious for the last couple of weeks that Garcia has been talking more about future fights than this fight on Saturday night. I look at that as him overlooking Easter. However, Mikey is a pro with a seasoned trainer so I doubt he?s being totally overlooked. He better be ready.?

ROBERT EASTER SR., Easter?s Father & Co-Trainer

?I always feel very confident about Robert?s chances every time he steps into the ring. We had a good camp and I know he?s ready. He?s always ready, just like he?s been for every fight leading up to this one.

?This fight is going to live up to the hype. Robert is going to go out there and show the world what he is really made of.

?We?re going to go out there and get the win. We?re going to impose our game plan on Mikey and make it a really long night for him.?

LUIS ORTIZ

?My hunger and motivation to become world champion has not changed at all. My opponent is very big, but in the ring everyone is the same size. We?re going to be smart and I?m going to do my job on Saturday night.

?The Wilder fight is what it is. It?s the past now, and I don?t regret it. At the end of the day I want the rematch and I believe I deserve the rematch. They?re still running from me and they?re obviously running from Wilder, but I?m running from no one.

?A victory on Saturday night will put me back in line for the rematch with Deontay Wilder. Fighting is what I know how to do, and that?s what I?m coming to do on Saturday night. We?re both hungry for a win and we will see who comes out on top.

?I learned that I need to train even harder, fight harder, throw more and connect more. If I hadn?t been fatigued, I?d still be punching him today. I threw the clock away at the gym. We?re going to be smarter going forward.?

RAZVAN COJANU

?I am very ready for this matchup. When we got this call, I was already in shape. We just had to make the adjustment to fighting a southpaw. We have about a month of really fun sparring leading up to this fight.

?I feel very comfortable against the southpaw, especially one that everyone is familiar with like Ortiz. I know I have the skills to take home the victory.

?The Wilder vs. Ortiz fight was a great fight and I congratulate him for that performance. I saw plenty of things that I can expose. The main thing is the sharp one-two combination that gives him trouble.?

MARIO BARRIOS

?This is definitely the toughest test of my career. I?m very happy to have this big fight. This is going to be the breakout performance that I?ve been looking for.

?Whichever title is available to me is the title we?ll go after. It doesn?t matter who I have to face, I?ll be ready. I?m gunning for the very best.

?This is a great opportunity to make my debut on SHOWTIME. This is a card packed with talent, but I plan on stealing the show. I?m going to show everyone the kind of fighter that I am.

?I know that Roman is going to come to fight but so am I. I can?t wait to fight in this building. All the greats have fought here and I can?t wait to put on a great show.?

JOSE ROMAN

?Barrios? best weapon would be his speed and his range and I think we have the perfect game plan to oppose it. I know that I have to be patient in there because I have a difficult opponent. I?m doing this for my family and no one can stop me.

?A win over Mario Barrios would be huge for me. The fans can come in there expecting a war between two Mexican warriors who will leave it all in the ring.

?When I?m not fighting I?m going to Cyprus College and majoring in Mathematics. I?ve been really good at math since I was a kid. I?m on a great track right now in my boxing career and in life.?

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports

?This is a top to bottom amazing card. It?s a boxing spectacular taking place here at STAPLES Center. We have a little bit of everything on this card. That includes talent from Robert Garcia?s gym, plus 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas, who I believe will one day be headlining at STAPLES Center one day.

?The televised portion of this card has a stellar lineup as well, including an undefeated Mario Barrios, who represents Texas well and makes his state proud. He?s one of the most exciting fighters in the division and will have a tough challenge in Jose Roman.

?Luis Ortiz is the kind of fighter that you just don?t want to miss a minute of when he fights. He is coming off of one of the best fights of this year, when he challenged WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

?The matchup between Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. is the cherry on top of an amazing night. I know that these fighters are ready to entertain and showcase their talent.?

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.

?There are fighters who say they want tough fights and then there are fighters who actually take tough fights. There?s a big difference between these two. Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. are the fighters who actually take the top fights.

?This is the third world title unification on SHOWTIME this year. No other network has delivered this level of fights to boxing fans. That?s more world title unifications than all the other networks combined this year.

?Mikey is a top pound-for-pound fighter and Easter is the longest reigning champion at lightweight and probably the most avoided fighter in the division. No one is rushing to fight either of these guys, yet, this was an easy fight to make.?

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.staplescenter.com follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MikeyGarcia, @RobertEaster_Jr, @Ringstar, @TGBPromotions @STAPLESCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Is Floyd chickening out?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PBF president Almario dies
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • 2 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.