Canelo vs Munguia undercard press quotes featuring Mario Barrios, Fabián Maidana, Brandon Figueroa, Jessie Magdaleno, Eimantas Stanionis & Gabriel Maestre
Fighters competing on the pay-per-view undercard for the much anticipated Canelo vs Munguia event previewed their respective matchups during a virtual press conference.
Canelo Promotions presents a Cinco de Mayo weekend blockbuster featuring pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez putting his undisputed super middleweight world title on the line against unbeaten all-action former world champion Jaime Munguía, headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, May 4 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Featured during the virtual presser were former world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and Argentine power-puncher Fabian “TNT” Maidana, who duel for Barrios’ Interim WBC Welterweight Title in the co-main event, former world champions Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and Jessie Magdaleno, who meet for Figueroa’s Interim WBC Featherweight Title, and undefeated WBA Welterweight Champion Eimantas Stanionis and unbeaten two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre, who square off in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
MARIO BARRIOS
“I’m happy to have this opportunity and I’m excited to be back in the ring again. It’s huge to be on a card like this, especially as the co-main event on Cinco de Mayo weekend. It’s hard to put into words. I’m motivated, focused and getting ready for May 4.
“The welterweight division is stacked. We have a really exciting welterweight title fight opening the card with Stanionis and Maestre, who are both tremendous fighters. I have to make sure that I handle business with Fabian first.
“If everything goes our way, then I want those big unification fights and whoever is the best in the division. I’ve always taken on the best opponents and I’m going to continue to do that.
“I’m excited about what’s in front of me. There’s a lot of things moving around at welterweight and opportunities for new champions. By the end of the year, there will be even more big fights and I plan on being in them.
“I know that Fabian will bring that same focus and drive that his brother Marcos did to these big fights. He’s got a big opportunity and I know he’s not taking this fight lightly. He’s going to come with everything. I’m expecting a hard fight and I’m preparing myself for a brutal 12 rounds.
“Maidana is motivated and hungry, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure that my hand is raised.
“I’m very motivated because it’s about more than just me now. I’m getting ready to have a daughter and it’s a different kind of motivation. I can’t wait to give everyone another great show.”
FABIAN MAIDANA
“I’ve always made my own way. I never see myself as in the shadow of anybody. I’m thankful to have this opportunity on this great card. I’m ready to showcase my skills on May 4.
“I want to show up and show out on May 4. I’m coming to win this fight and bring that belt home to Argentina.
“In order to win big fights, you have to throw a lot of punches. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight with all my heart and all my grit. I’ll show that the Maidana name is still on top.
“This is a great card and I’m happy to be on it. This is a huge night for boxing and I can’t wait to show how much this means to me when I get in the ring on May 4.
“My brother was a boxing great and I admire him. But I forge my own way, proudly so. I’m going to get into the ring on May 4 and deliver a battle that people will enjoy. That’s how I make my own name.
“I can’t tell you how it’s going to end, but it’s going to be a war and the best man will have his hand raised.”
BRANDON FIGUEROA
“I’m very blessed to have this opportunity. I’m just happy to be able to get back in the ring. The fight is here and I’m getting ready and prepared to be at my best.
“I’m just focused on hard work and discipline and doing whatever I need to be at the top of my game. It’s about who wants it more and who’s hungrier. You have to go out there and take it.
“Everyone knows I love to mix it up and get in there and work my inside game. I have to do whatever it takes to win the fight and make it look impressive. I’ll adapt to Jessie and work my way around what he does. It’s gonna be fireworks.
“I’ve been waiting for [WBC Featherweight World Champion] Rey Vargas and I’ve been patient. I took this opportunity because I’ve been itching to fight. I just want to fight the best of the best. If Vargas wants to fight this year, then let’s get it. If not, I’d love to rematch Stephen Fulton. I just want to keep delivering Fight of the Year candidates.
“Jessie is a former world champion for a reason. He’s been in with the best of the best and that’s all I could ask for. He’s someone who I don’t have to look for in the ring and that’s gonna deliver fireworks for the fans.
“It’s going to be a great Mexican atmosphere on May 4 and I know that I’ll have my people back home supporting me.”
JESSIE MAGDALENO
“I feel great right now. I’ve been putting in the work and staying in the gym. This is a great opportunity. I’m thankful to Brandon for accepting the fight. It’s gonna be a great show.
“Of course I have an edge in experience. I’ve been in there with some great fighters. I’ve been boxing for a long time and I know Brandon has put in his work as well. I don’t overlook anybody. I’m just focused on showing the world what I’m truly about.
“Last time I had the blonde hair I became world champion. I’m just ready to get back in there and show everybody what I’m about.
“A win like this is what’s been on my mind. That’s why I’m in the gym focused and working hard. Brandon comes to fight and he puts on a great show, just like I do. We both throw a lot of punches and I know on May 4 that winning this title will be huge for me.
“I know Brandon comes to fight. He’s a come-forward fighter who throws a lot of punches. He comes in great shape every time. We watch tapes and we know he’s a good fighter like I am. We’re focused on showcasing what we’ve got. I have a lot left in my tank and I’m gonna show it on May 4. This is a great matchup for my style.”
EIMANTAS STANIONIS
“It’s been a long time and I’m very happy to be back in the ring. It’s amazing to fight on this big card on Cinco de Mayo weekend. I can’t really describe how great I feel. I know Maestre well and I know there will be fireworks on May 4.
“It was very frustrating to deal with fights that fell out. I just wanted to fight. But I stayed disciplined and trained hard the whole time. I just believed that I would get my opportunity eventually.
“On May 4 I will show that I’m back and put on a great performance like I always do. When you fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend, you have to come with something special.
“I would love a unification fight. It would be great to fight the winner of Barrios vs. Maidana, and then keep collecting belts.
“I train very hard and I’ve never been as hungry to get a win. Every day I get asked when I’m back in the ring, and now I’m ready to have my country behind me. We’re gonna give the fans a great fight.
“I won’t have ring rust because I live the life of an athlete. I’m a very disciplined fighter and I’m in really good shape. I’ve just been waiting for the call and now here we are.”
GABRIEL MAESTRE
“It is a privilege to fight against a champion like Stanionis. This is the fight that I’ve wanted for a long time and now things have come full circle. We had a very tough close fight in the amateurs and I’m looking forward to seeing what he has now.
“I’m very excited for this opportunity to fight on this important card. I’m having a tremendous training camp and I can’t wait to get into the ring.
“Unification is the goal. That’s always been my dream. Winning the title and unifying are next on my list and I’m ready to do it against anyone.
“We didn’t get a chance to fight each other at the Rio Olympics, so I’m truly looking forward to the opportunity to fight him in the pros.
“This is going to be a great battle. I’m not worried about the age difference. Look what my fellow Venezuelan Ismael Barroso did and what I did in my last fight. We’re going to keep pushing forward.”