By Ben Jacobs
Confident in his ability to cause an upset, Miguel Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs) is adamant that at 25 years of age and with experience accumulated, he is in the perfect position to become the WBC world champion when he takes on Francisco Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) on January 28.
“I want to take Vargas’ undefeated record. I’m going for it, I’m going for that belt,” he enthused, talking to BoxingScene.com.
After suffering the only defeat of his career, by first round stoppage in 2014, ‘El Alacrán’ (the Scorpian) admitted he somewhat changed his outlook to the sport.
“The worst thing that can happen to you in boxing is to get knocked out in the first round, and I experienced it!
“There’s always a fear for some fighters that you’ll lose your undefeated record so I don’t think I can go through anything worse than that,” he said, chuckling.
“That defeat taught me a lot in terms of my preparation and how to respect all my opponents. This is boxing after all and anything can happen in that ring.”
Miguel expects the fearless Vargas to go straight in to another war just as he did with Orlando Salido and Takashi Miura, although he maintains that it doesn’t necessarily have to come to that.
“The first round is normally a study round but Vargas doesn’t tend to do that. From the first bell he goes for you, but I have the boxing skill, the distance and timing to box more. I also have my punching power which has never let me down. I’m young, hungry and I have everything in my locker to win.”
Although he admitted in Part I of this interview that he almost fought Orlando Cruz, who went on to challenge WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan, Berchelt expects to stay at 130lbs for the foreseeable future.
“My mind is focused on Francisco Vargas and the WBC belt at super featherweight. I know if I beat Vargas good things will come my way. I have no trouble making weight and I’m strong at the weight so I think I’ll still be here for a couple of years. After that, if there is a big opportunity for a lightweight title I could move up if it suits me and my team.”
Training through the holiday season, particularly far away from one’s family evidently has its drawbacks, but the Mexican pugilist is adamant that the rewards will be worth it.
“I’m from Cancun but I train in Sonora. It’s a big sacrifice leaving my family behind, especially my mother and sisters. Christmas is obviously a time you want to spend with your family, but that also motivates me to train harder. I know that in February I’ll be back with them and with the world title belt.
“I’ve been training in Sonora for the last four years. I train with José Alfredo Caballero who also trains Juan Francisco Estrada. He lives here so that’s why I come and train here.”