New York City-It was one of the more respectful press conferences of the year - at least as it compared to the ones I've witnessed up here lately.  No Don King running around in an elf suit, no arrogant warriors stone facing their opponents with stare down  tactics and not so much as a bikini clad stripper passing out water bottles.  There were only four fighters and a couple of trainers and managers joined by the regular multitude of photographers and fans.  Each fighter seemed to already be in the zone as there was a real "changing of the guard" ambience filling the room surrounding the Soto-Guzman match up.

SOTO:  "I am ready to step up again.  So many people out there count me out - so many people for so long.  Nobody expected me to beat Rocky Juarez - another undefeated fighter - but I did.  This too will be another great fight."

 “I am a man of few words.  I just want to thank everyone for being here today at the final press conference.

“We’re ready for a great battle with Guzman.  Why I haven’t gotten the opportunity before I don t know but there’s a lot of opportunity now.  I know there’s a lot of guys are there way out and the new generation is here. We want to show the new generation just as good as the old with a great fight.

“A lot of people have asked why I haven’t fought someone like Guzman before.  This division is retiring a lot of its legends and the new ones need to step up.

“Guzman is a great fighter.  He is a lot of skills and as far as I am concerned, he maybe the best 130-pound fighter out there. 

“I love a challenge and that’s why I took this fight.  I want to be world champion.

“This is my second opportunity against an undefeated fighter.  A lot of people didn’t expect me to beat Rocky Juarez the first time.  He had Olympic credentials and no one gave me a shot, but I proved everyone wrong.  Maybe Guzman is the favorite for this fight, but that doesn’t mean much to me because I have been scratched off before and I’ve succeeded.”

GUZMAN:  “I am anxious and ready to get in the ring.  I am very happy and excited and it’s my time now.  Soto is in the same position as me.  He’s coming up like I am looking for the big fights.  We hold the key for each other.

“I have spent the last four months training in Las Vegas and the only thing on my mind during camp has been this fight.

“I know I am a dangerous fighter.  No one wants to fight me either.  I keep wining titles but nobody wanted to fight me at 126 (lbs.), and now I move up in weight and won title at 130 pounds.  I won’t run away from anyone.  I’ve said it time and time again that I will fight anyone, anywhere. 

“Soto presents a tough challenge but I feel I have what it takes to beat him.  I feel like I can beat any 130 pound fighter out there.

“Its going to be a great show and also I am glad the Dominicans will be able to see me on regular television on HBO. 

“We are both hungry fighters who want to show the boxing world what they’ve got.  Every fight is emotional, but for whatever reason, the emotional level for this fight has been kicked up a few levels.”

“Soto is a powerful fighter coming forward.  The fans are going to see a great fight  I think it is going to be like Leonard and Duran (Soto interjected “Camacho vs Chavez”.) Guzman responded “Don’t forget who’s Champ.”
       
The November 17 HBO Boxing After Dark telecast will be headlined by WBO World Junior Lightweight Champion Joan Guzman defending his title against former WBC Interim Featherweight Champion Humberto Soto, while the telecast's co-feature bout will include undefeated 2004 Olympian Abner Mares making his HBO debut in a bantamweight fight against Argentinean Damian Marchiano. The event, which is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and will air live from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ, will air on HBO’s Boxing After Dark starting at 9:45 PM ET/PT. 

Tickets for this event are priced at $225, $175, $145, $115, $95, $75 and $45 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 866-900-4TIX (4849) or online at www.theborgata.com.

As competitive as the main event is sure to be with a tested and trusted warrior in Soto facing the undefeated Guzman, the undercard showdown may also be one for the history books.

Abner Mares is a 2004 Olympian, undefeated at 14-0 and due to his ferocious handling of heavily favored Isidro Garcia (which won him a version of the WBO crown), HBO is licking their chops with his debut on their network.  Mares will be facing a tough Argentinean champion in 14-2 Damian Marchiano whose last two down and up slugfests in his homeland are said to be barn-burning classics.

Looking forward to Saturday night!