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By Derek Bonnett
1.) Israel, when I first asked you this question before you completed your trilogy with Rafael Marquez, you were very humble. Now that many fans, including those at BoxingHideout, have ranked your trilogy with Marquez up there with your fellow countrymen Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, how does that make you feel?
IV- Well, I’m still humble by it. It was an honor for me to be apart of something special like that. I’ve dreamed of being involved in something like that. Rafa and I made history and will forever be linked together. To hear the fans and boxing critics say something like that is a huge honor. I thank them.
2.) In many of your fights, particularly the last two, you looked by far the worse for wear even in victory. Do you pretty much anticipate the cuts, lumps, and bruises before you even go into the fight? How does you family take it when they see you this way?
IV- It’s part of the sport. I’m a fighter not a model (laughing). I don’t think of stuff like that before a fight. I think about my game plan. I’ve been in boxing for over 10 years and fortunately I have had more instances where I came out better than I did in my last fight. Although it can be hard on my wife, she is always supportive and cares for me afterwards. I’m a lucky guy.
3.) The magic number on most boxing fans’ minds these days is the number four. What are your honest feelings about a fourth bout with Rafael Marquez? Is it about money or just fighting the best?
IV- I’m all about giving the fans what they want to see. If they want to see a fourth fight, I would do it.
4.) A rumor began circulating shortly before your last fight about a possible showdown with the recently retired Marco Antonio Barrera. Is there any truth to this rumor?
IV- I’ve heard about it as well. I guess you would have to ask Marco if it’s true or not. But, I would if the fans wanted to see it. Although, it would be weird fighting a guy that I’ve sort have looked up to.
5.) Right now, many boxing aficionados rank the Junior Featherweight division as the second best in boxing and closing fast in on the number one spot. With names like Celestino Caballero, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Steve Molitor, Ricardo Cordoba, and Mike Oliver right below yours, do you feel an obligation to clean up the division before you finish your career?
IV- I would like to unify again. I’ve done it before with Larios and would do it again. But, I also do have intentions to eventually move up in weight. But the super bantamweight division has a lot of talent.
6.) Coming from Mexico, a country with such a rich boxing history, who were your most significant boxing heroes or influences as a fighter?
IV- I’ve always looked up to J.C. Chavez. He was a huge idol to me and it was an honor to have him watch me fight against Rafa.
7.) How much time off do you plan to take now that you have settled your rivalry? What do you hope to do in that time?
IV- I plan on taking at least six months off. I would like to spend time with my family, take care of my business, and remain active in the gym.
8.) If your boxing career were to end today, would you be satisfied with what you have accomplished in the ring?
IV- I would be happy, but there are more things I would like to accomplish. I want to be a three-division champ like Barrera and Morales.
9.) Israel, twice now I have underestimated you in favoring Rafael Marquez to win bouts two and three. What do you have to say to those who have doubted you in the ring?
IV- Well, there has been a lot of people who have doubted me throughout my career. Not many people thought I would even be a champion, but I don’t like throwing anything in people’s face. I just let my actions speak for themselves. I’ve also learned that no matter what you do, you will never please everyone.
10.) Lastly, I would like to give you the floor to discuss or speak out concerning any boxing related topic or issue that is on your mind right now.
IV- I would like to thank my fans at BoxingHideout and all over the world. I’ve dedicated my last fight to the fans, which were the real winners on March 1st. Thank you and please continue to following my career.
1.) Israel, when I first asked you this question before you completed your trilogy with Rafael Marquez, you were very humble. Now that many fans, including those at BoxingHideout, have ranked your trilogy with Marquez up there with your fellow countrymen Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, how does that make you feel?
IV- Well, I’m still humble by it. It was an honor for me to be apart of something special like that. I’ve dreamed of being involved in something like that. Rafa and I made history and will forever be linked together. To hear the fans and boxing critics say something like that is a huge honor. I thank them.
2.) In many of your fights, particularly the last two, you looked by far the worse for wear even in victory. Do you pretty much anticipate the cuts, lumps, and bruises before you even go into the fight? How does you family take it when they see you this way?
IV- It’s part of the sport. I’m a fighter not a model (laughing). I don’t think of stuff like that before a fight. I think about my game plan. I’ve been in boxing for over 10 years and fortunately I have had more instances where I came out better than I did in my last fight. Although it can be hard on my wife, she is always supportive and cares for me afterwards. I’m a lucky guy.
3.) The magic number on most boxing fans’ minds these days is the number four. What are your honest feelings about a fourth bout with Rafael Marquez? Is it about money or just fighting the best?
IV- I’m all about giving the fans what they want to see. If they want to see a fourth fight, I would do it.
4.) A rumor began circulating shortly before your last fight about a possible showdown with the recently retired Marco Antonio Barrera. Is there any truth to this rumor?
IV- I’ve heard about it as well. I guess you would have to ask Marco if it’s true or not. But, I would if the fans wanted to see it. Although, it would be weird fighting a guy that I’ve sort have looked up to.
5.) Right now, many boxing aficionados rank the Junior Featherweight division as the second best in boxing and closing fast in on the number one spot. With names like Celestino Caballero, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Steve Molitor, Ricardo Cordoba, and Mike Oliver right below yours, do you feel an obligation to clean up the division before you finish your career?
IV- I would like to unify again. I’ve done it before with Larios and would do it again. But, I also do have intentions to eventually move up in weight. But the super bantamweight division has a lot of talent.
6.) Coming from Mexico, a country with such a rich boxing history, who were your most significant boxing heroes or influences as a fighter?
IV- I’ve always looked up to J.C. Chavez. He was a huge idol to me and it was an honor to have him watch me fight against Rafa.
7.) How much time off do you plan to take now that you have settled your rivalry? What do you hope to do in that time?
IV- I plan on taking at least six months off. I would like to spend time with my family, take care of my business, and remain active in the gym.
8.) If your boxing career were to end today, would you be satisfied with what you have accomplished in the ring?
IV- I would be happy, but there are more things I would like to accomplish. I want to be a three-division champ like Barrera and Morales.
9.) Israel, twice now I have underestimated you in favoring Rafael Marquez to win bouts two and three. What do you have to say to those who have doubted you in the ring?
IV- Well, there has been a lot of people who have doubted me throughout my career. Not many people thought I would even be a champion, but I don’t like throwing anything in people’s face. I just let my actions speak for themselves. I’ve also learned that no matter what you do, you will never please everyone.
10.) Lastly, I would like to give you the floor to discuss or speak out concerning any boxing related topic or issue that is on your mind right now.
IV- I would like to thank my fans at BoxingHideout and all over the world. I’ve dedicated my last fight to the fans, which were the real winners on March 1st. Thank you and please continue to following my career.
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