Jesus Soto Karass Talks Martinez Fight, Gomez Loss, More

By Ryan Burton

 

Welterweight contender Jesus Soto Karass speaks to BoxingScene.com about his May 29th headlining fight on Top Rank Live versus Gabriel Martinez.  The bout will be broadcast from Chicago on Fox Sports Net.  Soto Karass talks about his new trainer Joe Goosen, fighting in Chicago again and gives his opinion on what would have happened in his last fight versus Alfonso Gomez if the fight wouldn't have been stopped early (The fight was stopped because of accidental headbutts in a foul plagued bout on the Pacquiao-Cotto undercard). 

 

BoxingScene.com:  Give us your thoughts on your upcoming fight against Gabriel Martinez?

 

JSK:  I think it should be a great fight.  I have heard that he is a great fighter.  He as only one loss but he doesn't intimidate me or or worry me.  I am training hard and hopefully on the 29th I will come out of the fight with the win.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Have you seen any film on Martinez?

 

JSK:  I haven't seen any yet.  They haven't sent me any of his footage but I know he is Mexican and I know how we fight.  I know he will leave everything in the ring just like I will.  For that reason I think it will be a great fight.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Being that you don't know his exact style what do you think will be the key to the fight?

 

JSK:  Well I spoke with my manager and he is working on getting me some tape so I can see Martinez in action.  People in Los Mochis (Mexico) have given me hints and clued me in to how he fights.  They say he throws a lot of punches.  His hands never stop.  I know I need to keep moving and not sit still so he has an easy target to hit and I need to be ready to counter punch.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How do you feel to be fighting in Chicago again?  Last time you fought there you had a nice win over an undefeated at the time Michel Rosales.

 

JSK:  I am happy to be fighting in Chicago again.  I think the fight against Michel Rosales was a great fight.  It was very exciting and I think because of that fight a lot of people will remember me and want to see me fight again.  I know I can't wait to get back in the ring.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Assuming you win the fight who do you want to fight after Martinez?

 

JSK:  Really I need to worry about this fight with Martinez and nothing else.  God willing I will get the win and I will want to fight for a regional title or if I can I would like to fight for a world title.  I think this fight will get me ready.  I need to win this fight first.  I have made mistakes in past fights that have held me back from getting a title shot but I think I have learned from those mistakes and I am ready to take the next step in my career.  I have a new team and Joe Goosen is now my head trainer.  I think that he has made a huge difference in how I fight.  I think after this fight I will be able to fight for a regional title then a top ten fighter and then hopefully a title shot.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What happened in your last fight against Alfonso Gomez? The fight was plagued with headbutts and low blows.

 

JSK:  Against Gomez I don't feel like, well okay he won the fight.  I am over that fight now.  I made a bunch of mistakes that I don't usually make.  He had the cut and it was the type of cut I think that he could have kept on fighting with but his corner was smart.  I am sure they said what they needed to say to get the fight stopped.  I felt that if I was more aggressive that the fight would have been different.  I had two points deducted so they knew they were ahead on the cards.  They knew that so they said that he couldn't continue so they could get the fight stopped.  They knew they would win at that point.  With those two points taken away for the low blows they knew they would get the decision.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you think if the fight would have continued you would have been able to push the pace and knock him out in the following two or three rounds?

 

JSK:  Look the fight was turning when it stopped.  If it would have kept going I think I would have worn him down.  I think if we fought two or three more rounds he wouldn't have been able to withstand my pressure or my punches.  I think I would have been able to get the win.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Have you asked for a rematch?  Do you think Team Gomez would give you one?

 

JSK:  I spoke to manager but I don't think Team Gomez wants to fight me again.  I don't think they want to take that risk of fighting Jesus Soto Karass again.  I think they think it is just too big a risk.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Has your told you when they want you to fight again after this fight on May 29th?

 

JSK:  There isn't a plan yet.  I need to do what I have to do and get the win on May 29st.  If I get out of the fight with the win we will sit down and start to look at making the next move.  Like I said I hope to fight for some type of title after this fight.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a message for the fans?

 

JSK:  I want to thank all the fans.  I hope the fans in Chicago and Los Angeles tune in because they will see a new "Renuente".  I have a new trainer in Joe Goosen and we are changing the way I fight.  I have had about six months off so I am recharged and ready to go.  I had a nice rest and I have been training with Goosen for two months now so they will see the improvements I have made.  God willing I will be fighting for a title soon.