Chavez Jr vs Martinez: Press Conference Quotes From Los Angeles

It's real, folks. It's really, really, real. On September 15 from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, live on HBO pay-per-view, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will defend the WBC middleweight title against the division's true top fighter, Sergio Martinez. The fighters and everyone else involved with the event met up on Tuesday in Los Angeles to kick off the press tour for the fight.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr: "This is the fight I've always wanted. Martinez has said a lot of bad things. Let's see if he wants to go to the center of the ring and fight like a man."

Sergio Martinez: "I'm very excited for the opportunity to headline a live pay-per-view event in Las Vegas and to be able to take back what is rightfully mine, and that is the WBC middleweight championship belt. We have been working very hard with my team through the years for this moment and I will make sure to leave Las Vegas September 15th as the winner. Chavez Jr. has shown some improvement in his last fight, but that will not be enough to defeat me September 15th."

Bob Arum, Chavez's Promoter: "This is the big fight that the boxing world has been clamoring for such a long time. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., after his latest victory, is ready to go. He will make all Mexicans proud, just like his father used to do."

Lou DiBella, Martinez's Promoter: "This is one of the biggest fights that can be made in boxing, between Julio César Chávez Jr., a terrific young champion and the son of a legend, and Sergio 'Maravilla' Martinez, one of the great pound-for-pound fighters in the world. This is a fight for both middleweight supremacy and pound-for-pound status.

Alex Pariente, Wynn Las Vegas: "We are pleased to be part of such a monumental match-up between two talented fighters," said Alex Pariente, executive vice president of international and domestic marketing for Wynn Las Vegas. "The long-anticipated championship fight between Martinez and Chávez on Mexican Independence Day will add to the celebration of the holiday and the history of the storied middleweight title that includes greats such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Tony Zale, Carlos Monzon and Marvelous Marvin Hagler."

Mark Taffet, HBO Pay-Per-View: "Julio César Chávez Jr. versus Sergio Martinez is one of the premier and most anticipated matchups in boxing today. It has all the makings of an extraordinary event -- major league boxing skill in the ring; a spirited rivalry that has simmered for years; the fast-rising new star versus the elite warrior; enthusiastic fan bases; and a celebration of Mexican Independence Day. It will be an evening that every fight fan will want to experience live on HBO Pay-Per-View."