By Ryan Burton

 

We recently welcomed Mike Alvarado (32-0) to The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com's official audio show.  The fighter known as Mile High Mike is preparing for his April 14th HBO televised fight versus Mauricio Herrera.  Alvarado is a sizable favorite heading into the fight but Herrera enters the fight on a roll himself.  Last year Herrera picked up a pair of upset wins over Ruslan Provodnikov and Mike Dallas and is looking to continue his winning ways.

 

Alvarado, who hails from Denver, CO is once again holding his training camp in Southern California at the Maywood Boxing Club under the watchful eye of trainer Rudy Hernandez.  He has been sparring with the likes of IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez and former junior middleweight champion Sergio Mora.

 

"We are doing a lot of strength and condition right now. I got a new strength and conditioning coach. I have also been sparring with Miguel Vazquez and Sergio Mora out here," said Alvarado.

 

The undefeated junior welterweight said that he plans on holding his training camps at home in the near future.  He said that once he starts commanding bigger purses that he will bring his sparring partners to Denver.

 

"Once the money gets right we will start flying sparring partners back home to the 303. Training out here has been a good thing though. Its good to switch it up once in awhile," Alvarado told The Boxing Lab.

 

This past November marked Alvarado's last ring appearance.  He entered the 10th round bloodied and down on the scorecards against Columbian slugger Breidis Prescott.  Needing a knockdown to at least salvage a draw, Alvarado dug down and secured a dramatic knockout victory.  Alvarado said that he learned a lot about himself in the fight and that the experience will help him in the future.

 

"He cut me bad but I wasn't hurt. If I didn't show the heart and will that I had, the fight probably would have been stopped. That was a huge learning experience for me. I showed my heart and will to the world. I showed that I had the will to dig deep and come out with the win," Alvarado concluded.

 

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton