Boxing Weights and Quotes: Santiago, Garcia, Bradley & Rangel

ByBoxing Press

One day before Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito co-headline a terrific world championship doubleheader on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, a spectacular 2006 season of late night Friday fistic festivities will end on Dec. 1 when unbeatens Mario Santiago and Timothy Bradley co-headline the final presentation of the year on “ShoBox: The New Generation.’’

Santiago (16-0, 11 KOs), of Ponce, Puerto Rico, will face revitalized Salvador Garcia (14-3-2, seven KOs), of Whittier, Calif., by way of East Los Angeles, in the 10-round featherweight main event.

Bradley (16-0, 10 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif. will make his anxiously awaited “ShoBox’’ debut against Jaime Rangel (30-9-1, 26 KOs), of Cordoba, Colombia, in an eight-round junior welterweight match.

Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will promote the attractive doubleheader on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

MARIO SANTIAGO (16-0, 11 KOs) 124.5 pounds

Regarding his fight against Andres Ledesma on Aug. 19, 2006: “I told myself to stay calm, but that didn’t last for long. It was amazing to fight in my hometown for the first time.”

“We have been working on the angles, avoiding punches and moving my head more. I am going to be quicker this time. We have been concentrating a lot on defense.”

“I deserve to be in the top 10 in the featherweight rankings. I have worked hard for it. It is my goal. I have been beating guys, but it has been hard to get tough opponents.”

“I am ready for Robert Guerrero, or whoever. I want to fight the best guys with the best records.”

SALVADOR GARCIA (14-3-2, seven KOs) 126 pounds

“Santiago is a good fighter. He has a good lead right hand and goes to the body early. Santiago does not counterpunch. We want to keep him off guard.”

“I want to outbox Santiago and fight him smart.”

“During my hiatus from boxing, I got frustrated and thought my career was over, but I stayed in the gym. I had managerial problems.”

TIMOTHY BRADLEY (16-0, 10 KOs) 140 pounds

“I want to be known as one of the greatest fighters. I want to be a legend. I believe I can do it. What motivates me is my family. I am sick of seeing my father work seven days a week. I want to see him do something he likes to do.”

“Alfonso Sanchez was my best win, and this is my biggest fight.”

“Rangel is really aggressive and comes straight forward. He throws wild punches from different angles. Once I start landing the right hand, the night should be easy.”

“I have to control with the jab, keep it in Rangel’s face. If I do that, I will dominate. Combinations and the jab are the keys to victory.”

“I have been constantly working on my defense, fighting on the inside and being a more effective counter puncher.”

“I want to be smart in there and not get too reckless because I know Rangel has a big punch.”

“In my first 10-round fight, I could have gone 15. I trained really hard and was in great shape. I go full speed from the opening bell and never stop.”

JAIME RANGEL (30-9-1, 26 KOs) 139 ? pounds

“I am going to use all of my experience to beat Bradley. Whatever he brings, I will be ready for. Rhythm will be the key to the fight. At this point in my career, a victory is extremely important.”

“We are not going to chase Bradley. I am going to make him come to me.”