By Miguel Rivera
Dangerous junior lightweight prospect Alberto 'El Explosivo' Machado has a way to go before aiming for a world title, but to date the young Puerto Rican has left a significant impression during his stay in Los Angeles, California.
Machado (17-0, 15 KO's) is taking advantage of the opportunity to train alongside Miguel Cotto at the Wild Card Gym, owned by Freddie Roach. The 26-year-old will face Mexican Carlos Morales (16-1-3, 6 KO's) at the event being staged by Miguel Cotto Promotions at the Ponce Feria Complex on August 18.
"(Machado) is a good prospect. It's great that he's at 130-pounds. I saw him making some good attacks against one of my best guys and he handled himself very well inside the ring. I look forward to seeing Machado fight more," Roach told Carlos Gonzalez.
Roach is the head trainer of Machado's promoter, Cotto, who is training for his planned WBO junior middleweight world title fight with Japanese contender Yoshihiro Kamegai in an HBO televised main event from Los Angeles.
Machado is also taking advantage of the presence of physical trainer Gavin McMillan, who has been working with Cotto for several years.
"Alberto is super talented, very dedicated and wants to improve, but I understand that he should work more on his footwork. Physically he has not been exposed to the workouts of a professional athlete and that will make a big difference in the future. Under Freddie he will learn to cut the ring off properly. My job will be to improve his balance and use your legs better at the time of throwing punches. He is a tall boy and if he learns to get more out of his reach, he can face anyone," McGavin told Gonzalez.
Machado will remain in Los Angeles for eight weeks to complete the plan of work before returning back to the Island.