By Ryan Burton
On Thursday evening Jayson Velez (22-0-1) will kick off his 2015 campaign against Daniel Ramirez (11-2) at the Belasco Theater in the fourth installment of the revamped Golden Boy LA Fight Club series. Velez is co-promoted by Golden Boy and Miguel Cotto Promotions.
Both of the shows this year have been sellouts and have been received well by the fans. Velez looks to keep that trend going.
"I'm happy and very thankful to Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity to fight at the Belasco Theater. The first couple of shows there were great and I'm the next one and I'm sure it will be great too," he stated.
The 27-year-old Puerto Rican last fought in November when he battled then IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich to a draw. He said he took a few weeks off after that fight and has been in the the gym most of this year.
"I've been working since January. I'm excited to be back. I'm training with Abdiel Mulero. He was with me three years ago and he's always in my corner but for this fight he is my main coach," said Velez.
The fight against Gradovich was a great learning experience for Velez. Even though the fight was ruled a draw, many people felt Gradovich deserved to get the win. Velez believes be could have done a lot better they night.
He said that the most important things that he took from the fight was that he needs to be more patient in the ring and a little bit more economical with his punches.
"I learned a lot from that fight. I learned that I have to be more patient when I am fighting. I have to control the fight better. The first 3-4 rounds I was boxing but then I started to fight his fight. I fought his fight and that was the main difference.
"I am practicing getting better wth my defense and being more patient. I threw 1086 punches. I don't have to throw so many punches. I can throw about 700 and be more accurate," Velez explained.
As for his future plans, Velez said that he is ready for all the top fighters after June 4th. He hopes to secure a fight against one of the highest ranked featherweights in the world.
"I am ready for anyone. I am not ducking anyone. My promoters and managers give me the fights and I am ready. I want the big fights. I want to prove I am the best featherweight. Maybe I'm not now because I haven't proven it but I want to prove it," Velez told BoxingScene.com.
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