John Scully on Rivera vs Garcia

[IwatchBoxing]

Give us your thoughts on Jose's upcoming fight against Alejandro Garcia.

ICE: Well, it's obviously a huge chance for both of us. He as a boxer and myself as a trainer, as a team it would be like a dream come true to actually go out and win it.

Garcia's wins have all ended in knockout except for his last outing last August, how much of a factor does Garcia's power play in Jose's preparation in training and sparring?

ICE: We haven't really focused on the guy’s power any more than any other boxer because anybody can hit you and hurt you if your hands aren't up or if you take them for granted. I always tell every boxer going into every fight to imagine that you are going in with the toughest, baddest, meanest, slickest, hard punching guy out there. That way there can be no surprises on fight night.

[IwatchBoxing]

You fought for many years yourself, so you have been on the fighting side of things, but now on the training side and looking back to you career, which has been the hardest for yourself, being a trainer or a fighter?

ICE: I think being a trainer is much easier than being a professional fighter because I know that all boxers want to execute the plans that their trainers put in place for them and I know that trainers outside the ring can see what should be done better than the fighter in the ring can see it. Put it this way: telling someone what to do is a lot easier than actually going out and doing what needs to be done.

Can you give the readers a bit of the fight plan or the keys to victory?

ICE: Well, in our perfect scenario we are just a little too smart and a little too sharp for this guy. Jose can box a little better than he has shown, especially in fights where he really struggled with his weight. This weight might be the one where he is able to produce what he is capable of.

[IwatchBoxing]

Looking at your fighter, what do you feel is his best qualities?

ICE: Jose has several very good qualities that have carried him to this point. First and foremost it is his dedication to the game. It shows in his conditioning. He is a very workman like person. Not just as a boxer but as a person. He dedicates himself 100 percent to give himself the best possible chance for victory. He is not the absolute slickest, fastest, sharpest boxer out there but his will and desire and tenacity can offset guys that are. I also think he is somewhat underrated in his skills. He hasn't had to box in a lot of his fights but I have sparred with him enough to know that he has good overall boxing skills.