By Anson Wainwright
 
Back in February, heavy underdog Oswaldo Novoa of Mexico travelled overseas where he was scheduled to meet then reigning WBC strawweight boss Xiong Zhao Zhong. "El Gallito" easily ripped the title from Zhong's grasp at 2.35 of the fifth round at the City Hall, Haikou, China. With the unexpected win, Novoa improved his record to 13-4-1, 8 knockouts.
 
"It was a easy fight." Novoa said "I expected it to be more difficult to be the champion."
 
For much of Novoa's career he's been the opponent. Fighting as a flyweight he lost three consecutive bouts in 2011. He freely admits he was close to retiring from boxing at that point.
 
"I was at the point of retiring from boxing but then Odin Rivera spoke to me and told me he was going to make me a world champion."

With that in mind, Novoa looks to make his first title defense in late June, though no opponent is yet confirmed.

BoxingScene.com:   What did it mean to you when you stopped Zhong to win the title?
 
ON - He did not demonstrate that he was champion because he did not throw punches.

BoxingScene.com: All of your fights before your title fight were in Mexico, can you tell us about travelling to China, how you were treated and how you found the experience?

ON - It was a long trip, we travelled for many hours. (The) treatment was good very friendly. I am left with the experience of visiting a country that I never imagined visiting, and the food was nothing delightful.

BoxingScene.com:   When and against who are you looking to make your first title defense?

ON - The date and against who we don't know. My team tells me that I will fight by mid-June.

BoxingScene.com:   Tell us about your team?

ON - I have a great team that are Mr. Eddy and Chepo Reynoso, together with Odin Rivera that I have been able to lead and train well.

BoxingScene.com:   You lost three consecutive fights in 2011, at this time were you close to retiring from boxing?

ON - Yes, I was at the point of retiring from boxing but then Odin Rivera spoke to me and told me he was going to make me a world champion and we did it by working hard.
 
BoxingScene.com:   Now that you are champion, what goals do you still have in boxing?

ON - I want to be the best in this division. At my age it would be difficult to match (what Ricardo) “Finito” Lopez (achieved) but I would like to match it or overcome it by preparing to the maximum.
 
BoxingScene.com:   Tell us about yourself as a person and your life away from boxing?
 
ON - I am person that likes to work to give my family what they need. I work selling wholesale sunglasses in the local areas of Jalisco and Nayarit and when I have free time I enjoy playing soccer.
 
BoxingScene.com:   Lastly do you have a message for the strawweight division?

ON - For all the strawweight’s be well prepared because I will not let it go easy, I prepare myself to the maximum.
 
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright