By Richard T. Najdowski

Junior welterweight contender Adrian Granados (11-2-1, 7KOs) sat down with BoxingScene.com to discuss his upcoming fight with former welterweight champion Kermit Cintron (33-5-1, 28KOs), which is scheduled to headline an ESPN Friday Night Fights event on March 22 at the UIC Pavillion in Chicago. Cintron returns for the first time since a TKO loss to Saul Alvarez in November of 2011.

You have a fight coming up on March 22nd on ESPN against former welterweight titleholder Kermit Cintron, who has never fought below welterweight and hasn’t fought below junior middleweight since 2008. I watched you fight last December in a 140 pound fight. What’s the contracted weight for this fight?

“It’s 147 maximum. That’s why we signed the fight. It’s right in the middle. He comes down 7 pounds and I move up 7 pounds.”

And if Cintron is unable to make 147?

“We signed for 147 maximum.”

Two of the 3 blemishes on your professional record came when you rose above 140. And as good as Larnado Tyner is or was, few people believe equate him with the type of power that can scramble someone's brains the way a flush right hand from Cintron can. Was this just a fight you couldn’t say no to?

“Definitely. It’s a great opportunity. I haven’t forget about about Tyner. This will be my 147 pound revenge. I’m excited.”

Should you come out victorious against Cintron, what weight or weights do you see yourself fighting at going forward? At 140, 147, or both?

“I’ll probably back down to 140 after and work my way up the ranks from there.”

Do you see yourself as the underdog?

“Yeah, definitely. I don’t have the experience Cintron has.”

Are you at liberty to discuss any of your fight plan?

“Usually with my style, I adjust. If I feel I will be too strong, I will pound away. If I feel I’m better off outside, I’ll box.”

Are you still going hard in training camp or have you already peaked and are leveling off now?

“Still going hard. I’m in great shape and should be peaking soon. I feel confident and I’m excited to fight.”

How heavy do you think you'll come in at?

“I’ll be at 147.”

With new muscle? Quickness?

“I will have the edge in speed. I walk around at 155. I’m sure Cintron will be the bigger man. I’ll have less dehydration; I’ll be the more comfortable man.”

Think you'll be able to hurt Kermit?

“Yeah. Most people focus on his power and my boxing ability. On March 22nd I think I’ll turn some heads. I’m not selling him short. He’s still a very dangerous fighter. Cintron has been in with the best. He hasn’t been in the ring in awhile. I’m not going to underestimate him. I’m excited.”

We spoke about your long arms at length before your December fight. I see that you and Cintron have equal arm length. Will you be sticking a lot of jabs in his face?

“Jabs, right hands, hooks, a lot of everything. I’m gonna keep him busy!”

Has there been talk of a future opponent after March 22nd?

“No. I want to take it one fight at a time.”

Any pre-fight jitters?

“I’m actually pretty calm. Realistically, I don’t think anyone is 100% calm the whole time going into it. Usually on the day of the fight or heading into the TV fight, I get some jitters. I think the experience fighting on TV before will have helped me.”

Is this opportunity, fighting Cintron on ESPN, a game changer for you?

“Definitely a game changer. My close friends and family were in disbelief. I’m gonna make a hard run. I feel like I can win. I’m excited to be in the ring with a former world champ.”

Any final thoughts Adrian?

“It’s been a great training camp thanks to my trainer George Hernandez. I want to thank everybody who’s been helping out at Team Garfield and Club 312.”

Tags: Kermit Cintron