Photo: Alexis Cuarezma/Goossen Tuto

Today at Oracle Arena in Oakland Calif, undefeated WBA and WBC super-middeweight champion, Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) and WBC light-heavyweight champion, “BAD” Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs) hosted a press conference to discuss their upcoming championship bout, taking place September 8, 2012 at Oracle Arena televised live on HBO Championship Boxing.

Andre Ward: “The road I’ve taken to this point has not been easy. Being back on HBO is a big thing, but fighting on HBO in my hometown is huge. To be great you have to fight the best. Chad has beaten the best so these are the type fights I want to take. I will put on a great show for all the fans that come out to Oracle Arena.”

Chad Dawson: “This is a big fight for me. I know their will be a huge crowd for Andre, but I’m not afraid. I’m happy to be the underdog in this fight. I haven’t been the underdog in a long time and I’ll do what I have to do to win this fight.”

Dan Goossen: “This is the type of fight that makes a crossover superstar. Nothing will get in Andre’s way, no chatter, no nothing. He is focused on this fight! This is why I can’t to see 17,000 fans in Oracle Arena on Sept, 8. It will be filled with electricity. Andre is a special fighter and Virgil is the Zen Master.”

Gary Shaw: “We all saw what Chad did to Hopkins and I believe Dawson is the better fighter. The winner of this fight is no doubt going to be a superstar. I’m so confident in this fight Goossen can have his six brothers be the judges. In this fight you have two fighters who hold belts, who are steroid free, who are young and will bring their best on fight night.”

Virgil Hunter: “Weight training shouldn’t take the thrill of the victory away. It’s a battle to get to 168 lbs for both fighters. While other fighters are playing games not taking fighters, these two have stepped up. Its going to be a great fight for all the fans” -

John Scully: “I’m very exited to be involved with this fight. You go two prime, hungry, young guys ready to go at it. It will be a tactical fight and Chad will be ready. I think Chad and Andre are going to mix very well. I think clean combination punching will be Dawson’s advantage.”