The fighters sat on a podium atop the floor where the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder play, discussing Saturday’s ESPN-televised card (9 p.m. ET) at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The biggest card to hit The Sooner State in years will feature a local product, Oklahoma City native Alex “El Cholo” Saucedo (27-0, 17 KOs) against Lenny Zappavigna (37-3, 27 KOs) in 10-round junior welterweight bout. The ESPN main event will see WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) defending his title against Alexis Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs).
Also featured on the ESPN telecast will be 2016 Olympic gold medalist, Robson Conceicao (7-0, 4 KOs), in a six-round super featherweight bout against Gavino Guaman (5-2, 1 KO).
The undercard will stream on ESPN+ (6:15 p.m. ET) and include the resurgent Mike Alvarado, female fighting sensation Mikaela Mayer, heavyweight knockout artist, and Oklahoma native Trey Lippe Morrison, and the pro debut of top amateur Christopher Zavala.
At the final press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.
Gilberto Ramirez
“Angulo is going to be a tough opponent. I expect a tough fight from him. He seems like a great fighter. His record proves it. From what I know, he’s a big puncher, and I know that he will try to knock me out. I’m going to try and knock him out, too. He doesn’t have a loss on his record, but he will on Saturday.”
Alex Saucedo
“It has taken a long time for me to get to this point, to fight in front of my home fans in the big arena here in Oklahoma City. It’s an honor. Lenny Z is a very aggressive fighter. He has almost 30 knockouts on his record and is a very dangerous fighter. I know that with the support of my people, I’ll be victorious once again.”
“I grew up in Oklahoma City. I’ve always wanted to come home, and after 27 pro fights, we made it happen. It’s been six years of working hard, and the hard work has paid off. ESPN is coming to town. This is incredible.”
“I spent 12 weeks in Big Bear preparing for this fight with my trainer, Abel Sanchez. That got me ready for this opportunity, and it’s almost fight night. I can’t wait.”
Alexis Angulo
“I don’t feel like he has any advantages. We both have two legs. We both have two arms. We both have two eyes. We are equals, and anything can happen when you get in the ring.”
“It has been my dream to fight for a world title, and now the opportunity is here. Gilberto Ramirez is a great champion, but my time is now.”
Lenny Zappavigna
“I’m going to go in there and box, but I know Alex likes to come forward and fight fire with fire. I know it’s going to be a great fight here in Oklahoma, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get me another world title shot, which is the ultimate goal.”
Robson Conceicao
“It’s a great honor to be fighting on ESPN, and I want to showcase my skills for everyone. I feel like I’ve progressed well in my pro career, and this will be the latest chapter as I go for a world title. I won a gold medal for Brazil {in the 2016 Olympics}. I can’t wait to bring a world title home as well.”
Mikaela Mayer
“I want to prove that there is a big market for female boxing. I’m thankful to Top Rank for the way that they’re moving me and putting me on these great cards. I can’t wait to be headlining a card in the future.”
Mike Alvarado
“I’ve always loved boxing. The re-invention of me defines how I’m going to perform. On top of that, I’ve reconstructed my team. They gave me a different type of mentality, and it’s just heightened my focus. This is a new experiment for me. It’s been a new experiment since I’ve changed my life and got on a good path back in 2015.”
“It’s a new Mike Alvarado. I’ve always had the heart, the natural warrior in me. I know how to go to war and fight with all my heart. That’s who I am. With all the other distractions interrupting me, I’ve released all that. I’m more content with myself without having to fight my conscience. I’m back in a big way.”
Christopher Zavala
“I want to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for signing me. This is a big opportunity to make my pro debut on such a great card. I look forward to great things. This is only the beginning.”
Use the hashtags #ZurdoAngulo and #SaucedoZappavigna to join the conversation on social media.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.
Credit: Top Rank Promotions
