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New Casamayor Interview
Joel Casamayor Interview
FightFan.com Staff
FightFan.com caught up with “El Cepillo” just one day after he inked the contract to fight a rubber match with nemesis Diego Corrales. You don’t want to miss what Casamayor had to say about Chico’s reluctance to take this fight, his his show down with Jose Luis Castillo and more! Only on FightFan.com!
July 23, 2006
FF: Joel thanks for taking the time to talk with the fans at FightFan.com. We heard Corrales talk some **** on ESPN a few weeks ago, and now we understand the rubber match between the two of you is signed…
SC: I thinks his comments were bogus and I’ll prove that Oct.7th. I signed the contract yesterday to fight the rubber match and it’s set. I’ve been waiting for 2 years for this fight.
When I fought him the first fight we fought for the vacant #1 spot to fight for the IBF title. I turned the title fight down to fight that chicken a second time because I knew that was what the public wanted after our first classic battle. I fought the rematch and I thought I won 8 of the 12 rounds, plus a knockdown in the 10th. So how I lost, I don’t know. There was a rematch clause for that fight as well and he broke it. So we fought Daniel Seda for the same amount trying to move on. But after two years of him running Oct.7th is the day!
FF: For some time it was sounding like he was ducking you. There was talk that he was willing to give Freitas a rematch (a guy who quit against him) but not you even though you beat him and gave him a rematch. Has this been frustrating for you?
JC: He wasn’t eager to give me the rubber match because he remembers the ass whoopings I’ve given him. Three knockdowns in 18 rounds. Of course he would like to fight Freitas again. Freitas hasn’t been the same since our fight. Look at him before our fight and after, and you’ll see I turned him into a runner. But like they say 'you can run, but you can’t hide.' Remember that on Oct. 7th!
FF: Joel, how did you feel about your performance on ESPN a few weeks back?
JC: I got some good work in from a game guy who was there to win. I needed the rounds and me and my team feel I looked good. I’ve won two fights in a row by knockout and I’m hungry for this Corrales rubber match.
FF: You seem to have carried your power up to 135 with you, do you feel stronger at that weight? Do you plan on staying at 135 or do envision yourself moving up or moving back down to 130?
JC: I feel great at 135 pounds, but you know I fight the best guys out there and if that means moving up or down in weight, its always a possibility. I feel that my power is stronger at 135 pounds because I’m bigger physically and its not a struggle to make the weight.
FF: Joel, we wanted to get your take on Castillo's inability to make weight for both the second and third Corrales fights? Should he have said something sooner, and why do you think he didn't?
JC: I really don’t like to comment on things like this because its between him and his camp. I’ve never had that problem, but you never know what went wrong with Castillo. Could have been personal problems or injuries.
FF: After having fought both Corrales and Castillo, who do you think is the tougher fighter?
JC: I think Castillo is a tougher fighter overall. He always keeps coming. And even though I know I won the first 8 rounds of our fight, he kept coming. If you look at all the supposed punchers: Corrales, Freitas, Campbell… They all started to run late in the fight. Castillo is the only one who kept coming. But of course he was coming right into counter punches (laughs).
FF: We had you winning the Castillo fight. Do you want to get him in the ring again, and would you fight him at 140 if necessary?
SC: If the money is right I would love to fight him again. I feel styles make fights and his style could never beat mine. I wanted a rematch after they robbed me but you know he disappeared.
FF: You've fought a lot of top opponents over the years, and I've yet to see you decisively lose, which is better than I can say for several of the other contenders and champions in the division, and the sport in general. With that said, do you feel like you have ever truly been beaten in any of your losses?
JC: No, there’s not a doubt in my mind that I should have never lost a fight as a professional boxer. My record should be 37-0 with 21 KO’s. Take a look at the fights and look at the press scoring and they all had me winning. But I can’t look back, I can only get stronger and come harder.
FF: Do you feel that you are not getting the respect you deserve from the boxing press?
JC: I feel like everyone has their opinion, but I get some love from the press. Mike Katz has always spoken well of me and is one of my favorite writers. Tim smith is also a great writer. Mr. Kim and Mr. Toby from maxboxing.com have always backed me up on my losses, I know they are very knowledgeable boxing guys as are Mr. Iola and Doug Fisher. Ace at FightFan.com also looks like he’s a very knowledgable boxing writer. It’s these guys and supporters and fans everywhere that I fight for.
FF: Is there anything else that you would like to say to your fans and supporters?
JC: I want to tell all you guys thank you for all the support. I hope everyone is watching Oct. 7 and I promise Victory because when its all said and done JOEL CASAMAYOR’S hand will be raised!
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