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DH: Are you ready to fight again?
I can’t say I am in fighting shape but I have been getting that “urge” to get back in the ring and mix it up. I really want to get back in the ring and fight. I don’t care who it is (laughing) I just miss the ring. Right now, I’m taking the advice of my family and my manager, and resting. I know they are looking out for the best interest of me. Nevertheless, when I do come back, I’m going to come back very strong.
DH: Do you feel as strong as ever?
Yes, I do. I feel I am a lot stronger compared to my younger years.
DH: Are you considering moving up in weight?
Yes, I am. This is something that I have been thinking about sometime. But when the Marquez fight was presented to me, I jumped on it. But moving up is still an option for me. It’s too bad Linares moved up already.
DH: What goals in boxing are you still hoping to accomplish?
Well, moving up in weight is still a professional goal of mine, and I plan on doing it. But ultimately, I want to fight the fights the public would like me too. I want to be remembered as a fighter who took on the best and put on great fights.
DH: Who is your next challenger? What do you know about him?
He’s about 3 foot something and is keeping me on my toes. (Laughing, talking, and gazing upon his son.)
As of right now, I have no opponent. However, there are many options out there for me. We just need to decide on whom. There have been talks about Jorge Arce, Oscar Larios, Juan Manuel Lopez, Marquez, and others.
DH: What would be a dream match-up for you? Other than someone you’ve already fought.
I would have loved to have fought Manny Pacquaio, but with him moving up in weight, it seems that dream is very unlikely.
DH: Any thoughts on retirement?
No, not at the moment. I still have personal goals of mine that I would like to fulfill. I want to continue fighting for at least another two years.
DH: Do you have interests outside of boxing? What are they?
Right now, I have been enjoying my time with my family. Being a boxer can sometimes be unfair to my family, but they have always been extremely supportive. So, the time I have been spending with them has been very rewarding. I have also been staying busy by commentating for Telemundo on the Olympics. That was fun.
DH: What is your favorite city to fight in? And why?
My favorite city to fight in is Los Angeles, and not just because I now consider it my hometown. This is really a great place to fight. The fans are great and are very supportive of boxing; it makes the whole atmosphere fun.
DH: What advice would you give new fighters?
My advice to them will be to continue to work hard and never lose focus on your dream. There will be tough times in your journey but never give up. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. But with hard work, some patience, and having the “hunger” deep inside of you, you can do it.
DH: How important are the people in your corner, cutmen, seconds, etc.?
They are very important to me. They believed in Israel Vasquez when no one else did. Frank Espinoza, Frankie, JR., Miguel Diaz, Joe Chavez, and Rudy Perez. They all played an important part role in my success. That’s what makes us a great team, I really appreciate their support.
DH: How were the Olympics?
The Olympics were a lot of fun; it was a new experience for me. Commentating is something I would like to get myself into once my boxing career is over.
DH: Did you feel being able to go to the Games was a definite perk of being a champion?
Yes, it is. I was fortunate that Telemundo even considered me for that position. It all worked out and it was a lot of fun, I guess being a champion does have its perks (Laughing).
DH: Thank you for your time.
Thank you.
I can’t say I am in fighting shape but I have been getting that “urge” to get back in the ring and mix it up. I really want to get back in the ring and fight. I don’t care who it is (laughing) I just miss the ring. Right now, I’m taking the advice of my family and my manager, and resting. I know they are looking out for the best interest of me. Nevertheless, when I do come back, I’m going to come back very strong.
DH: Do you feel as strong as ever?
Yes, I do. I feel I am a lot stronger compared to my younger years.
DH: Are you considering moving up in weight?
Yes, I am. This is something that I have been thinking about sometime. But when the Marquez fight was presented to me, I jumped on it. But moving up is still an option for me. It’s too bad Linares moved up already.
DH: What goals in boxing are you still hoping to accomplish?
Well, moving up in weight is still a professional goal of mine, and I plan on doing it. But ultimately, I want to fight the fights the public would like me too. I want to be remembered as a fighter who took on the best and put on great fights.
DH: Who is your next challenger? What do you know about him?
He’s about 3 foot something and is keeping me on my toes. (Laughing, talking, and gazing upon his son.)
As of right now, I have no opponent. However, there are many options out there for me. We just need to decide on whom. There have been talks about Jorge Arce, Oscar Larios, Juan Manuel Lopez, Marquez, and others.
DH: What would be a dream match-up for you? Other than someone you’ve already fought.
I would have loved to have fought Manny Pacquaio, but with him moving up in weight, it seems that dream is very unlikely.
DH: Any thoughts on retirement?
No, not at the moment. I still have personal goals of mine that I would like to fulfill. I want to continue fighting for at least another two years.
DH: Do you have interests outside of boxing? What are they?
Right now, I have been enjoying my time with my family. Being a boxer can sometimes be unfair to my family, but they have always been extremely supportive. So, the time I have been spending with them has been very rewarding. I have also been staying busy by commentating for Telemundo on the Olympics. That was fun.
DH: What is your favorite city to fight in? And why?
My favorite city to fight in is Los Angeles, and not just because I now consider it my hometown. This is really a great place to fight. The fans are great and are very supportive of boxing; it makes the whole atmosphere fun.
DH: What advice would you give new fighters?
My advice to them will be to continue to work hard and never lose focus on your dream. There will be tough times in your journey but never give up. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. But with hard work, some patience, and having the “hunger” deep inside of you, you can do it.
DH: How important are the people in your corner, cutmen, seconds, etc.?
They are very important to me. They believed in Israel Vasquez when no one else did. Frank Espinoza, Frankie, JR., Miguel Diaz, Joe Chavez, and Rudy Perez. They all played an important part role in my success. That’s what makes us a great team, I really appreciate their support.
DH: How were the Olympics?
The Olympics were a lot of fun; it was a new experience for me. Commentating is something I would like to get myself into once my boxing career is over.
DH: Did you feel being able to go to the Games was a definite perk of being a champion?
Yes, it is. I was fortunate that Telemundo even considered me for that position. It all worked out and it was a lot of fun, I guess being a champion does have its perks (Laughing).
DH: Thank you for your time.
Thank you.
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