Exclusive interview: Ignacio "nacho" beristain

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: IGNACIO "NACHO" BERISTAIN By Michael Gonzalez **********s Michael Gonzalez finally got his gas powered microcassette recorder to work after sitting on an interview with Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain from May 20, 2009. Thoughts on the weight for Marquez vs Mayweather Jr. "I think in that aspect, the fight seems uneven because Juan is a lighter weight class. We're working to get Juan a little stronger so that he can have conditioning and also equally take advantage of opportunities." How much weight will Marquez put on? "We're working to reach a weight where he'll have strength and resistance. Juan is coming up from featherweight, we've done it before and it's given us good results, hopefully it won't be the difference this time." What's the strategy for Mayweather? "Juan and I have been discussing situations for fighting Mayweather and we are going to return to boxing the way Juan boxes; with defensive movements in his footwork and using speed circuits even though the other guy is fast. I don't want Juan to go looking for him, although I do want him to exhibit the boxing and the style of the Mexican against the classic style of the Black Americans, with respect. I have a lot of respect and admiration for Mayweather. For his career, because he's an athlete and he's very easy going. I like him but of course we aspire to win." On the contracted weight. "The fight will be at 142 or 143 only. For every pound over, Mayweather will be fined $300,000." Thoughts on Marquez' performance against Juan Diaz and whether he's showing signs of decline. "No. the thing is he has modified his style a bit to please the crowd. This new style has converted him into a more volcanic fighter, more aggressive. The speed and weight of Diaz gave us complications but we knew it would because he's aggressive. We knew that in order to submit him we would have to go hard to the body and rough him up. Thank God it went to plan for us and he ended up on the canvas, but it does not take away how brave Diaz is. He's an excellent fighter and an excellent young man." On the current state of Rafael Marquez. "He's not better because he is stubborn. Many fighters get to a certain point and they think of themselves the king of the world and they lose their footing, their humility. We are human beings and we are susceptible to anything we are susceptible to. But in the work he has done he has looked good. I was very happy because there were days where he had the same look he had when he began the bantamweight division, the speed and the tranquility to throw his jab. And I have begun to hope, to think I can convince him to skip super bantamweight and go to featherweight and present a version with the same speed he had at bantamweight. First he has to put his feet on the ground and thats what has me very worried. It's like he lost his humility and he thinks too highly of himself. A fighter of his level, after reaching the heights he has, their image deteriorates, their technique deteriorates and then everything. And if he continues on this path it only goes toward retirement. I've talked to him two, three times already and told him that if he does not put his all it's obvious he will have less time in boxing." Does he see the same happening to Juan Manuel? "No. Although, I kind of foresee something in the future. I just hope he thinks about it and continues being the same human being is now and always has been, if not, retirement will be soon for him. As of late a lot people surround him, many people who adulate him and lift him and they become his worst enemies because they give him the wrong advice. They make you believe something that is not reality." On training Jorge Arce. "I told him that I did not have time to train him because I have (Vicente) Escobedo and the other young fellow Golden Boy sent me, (Abner) Mares. He told he would come in before or after. Also, my friend asked me and I could never say no to him. He told me this and that and it was an offer just as in The Godfather, I couldn't refuse it and I cannot name him. I just hope (Jose) Suliaman doesn't come around and mix his hands in this. I couldn't refuse this person, but left the condition that Suliaman can't put his hand in the mix, because as soon as the godfather does, it's over."