Top heavyweight contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz held a media workout in Las Vegas on Thursday as he neared his WBC Heavyweight Qualifier against former unified champion Andy.” Terminator” Ruiz Jr takes place on September 4 during the attention-grabbing Labor Day Weekend Action by FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Also present at Thursday’s practice was undefeated bantamweight super contender Ra’eese Aleem as he neared his match against Mike Plania, which highlighted PBC’s action on FS1 and FOX Deportes ahead of the payday event. money per view.
Ticket for the live event, promoted by TGB Promotion, is currently on sale and can be purchased online at AXS.com.
The media workout was streamed live on the Premier Boxing Champions YouTube page and you can watch it HERE. The workout also included an interview with former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder, who is currently training in Las Vegas for his FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View match against him. Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius on Saturday, October 15 and offered to join the Ruiz vs. Ortiz.
“I go with my heart, and Luis Ortiz is a fighter with a heart,” said Wilder, who beat Ortiz in a pair of heavyweight belt defenses, Ortiz’s only two losses. “Why do you think so many other boxers wouldn’t give him a chance? “
Here’s what the participants had to say on Thursday from the Las Vegas Fight Club:
LUIS ORTIZ
“I feel very good both physically and mentally. I’m looking forward to this game and you won’t want to miss it when we get into that round.
“After fighting Charles Martin, I went back to the gym a week later. Fighting or not, I’m always proactive and always ready.
“I have a lot of respect for Deontay Wilder and I appreciate him picking me in this game. My intention is to take down Andy Ruiz. One of us was eliminated and I can guarantee that this will not go to the judges.
“I studied Andy from top to bottom. If I don’t knock you down with one punch, then I’ll kill you until you can’t walk anymore.
“Training camp is coming to an end and it’s been exciting. We were just waiting for the camp to end and the night of fighting to begin. My goal is always the same and it doesn’t change. I’m trying to do whatever it takes to beat my opponent.
“Every training camp is different and we have adjusted now just like we have done in the past. We’ll show those tweaks and improvements as the fight progresses.
“I just focus on myself and do my job. What’s going to trouble Ruiz in there is me, no matter what style I’m using.
“I always try to get to the top of the mountain. I want the top prize. This is a very important fight for me, but so is every battle. It all brought me closer to another world championship title.
“It’s all about training, training and training more. I feel better now than when I was 25. “
RA’EESE ALEEM
“This is a very big war. I am very excited. It will be the power fight on a big card. I’m fighting for number one again and I can’t wait. I’m going to join a show, be the best version of myself, and make it all happen.
“I want to fight all the top fighters in the division. My ultimate goal is to be world champion and I have to beat the top guys to get there. Me and Plania both have a lot of momentum right now and that makes it a great fight.
“I am an interesting fighter and I throw punches in bursts and move forward. I don’t hold and I don’t run. He said he wants to play foot by foot, so it will be a great fight for the fans.
“This has the potential to be the fight of the night and I believe it will be. We both bring our A game. This is a fight everyone should watch and I can’t wait.
“I followed my dreams and just tried to make things happen. Plania is an extremely tough fighter who has faced some top guys. I believe that if I am the best version of myself, I will not only be able to win, but also dominate the war.
“Every training camp is the same, you just tweak some things or tighten some things up. Grinding is grinding and non-stop.
“I love doing an action fight. It’s just the beast in me. I don’t care if I get on the scoreboard in the final, I’m trying to get him out of there. I don’t want a chance with the judges. I have to be smart against a good boxer, but I’m definitely working to get inside.
“I take care of my body. I do what champions have to do to be the best I can be. I feel like I’m at my peak and still getting better. You are always growing in this sport and I believe the best is yet to come.
“My ultimate goal is to be the man to fight for a world title. I want the fight for the next world championship no matter who it is against. Stephen Fulton is an accomplished martial artist and a strong technical fighter. He got those belts and it’s my job to get them out of his hands. “
HERMAN CAICEDO, Coach of Ortiz
“Ortiz has even more focus and more lasers, and that says a lot. He is always available and puts 100% of his heart into everything we do. He never leaves the gym and I have to tell him to take it slow.
“The level of focus he shows is testament to who he is and what he believes in. I am very happy with what he is doing in this camp.
“Not only is he more motivated, but he is superior to what we do in the gym. He’s also very strong mentally and I think that’s his biggest trait. That’s why he’s still here at this age.
“What I do know is that Luis and I trust each other in what we are doing. I don’t know how much chemistry Ruiz and his corner have at this point, so if things get tough, will he trust his corner? I know that my corner will do it and I will trust him.
“Ultimately, it will depend on skill, dedication, people who have worked hard and who want it more.”
BOBBY MCROY, Coach of Aleem
“Mike Plania is the image of our previous competitors. People don’t really realize how polished he is, but he wants to fight. He definitely wants to move on, but we’ll get him back.
“We follow the flow of the war. We make our own war. We dictate what happens in the ring. That’s what the generals of the ring are.
“I don’t mind that sometimes Ra’eese likes to gamble in the ring, you just have to gamble smart. He has the fighting courage inside, but you still have the responsibility to defend.
“We wanted to send a chilling message that Aleem is number one at 122. We’re going to show off and make a big statement. We are telling the champions that in the end you have to fight us. “
