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Post-fight Presser Tidbits and Talk with Rocky Juarez
MON August 22, COYOTE DURAN, Ringside - As opposed to the previous Saturday's post-fight soiree (brought to
you by Don King Productions), Saturday night's post-fight press
conference was short, sweet and to the point.
The dais was loaded with the evening's main participants and the respect was abundant as Fernando Vargas, Javier Castillejo, new WBC 126-pound "Interim" titlist Humberto Soto and Rocky Juarez relayed their thoughts of the evening's events.
Juarez (23-1 with 16 KOs) took the lectern first and immediately gave Soto (37-5-2 with 21 KOs), who defeated him by unanimous decision, the utmost respect sans any excuses for coming up short. "I give it up to him. He was a better man today. I wasn't myself tonight and I take nothing away from Soto." Juarez's face, which was marred with bruises and a small cut from the Los Mochis native's potent assault, could hardly mask the disappointment he felt from suffering his first professional loss.
Soto, via interpreter, was equally gracious and respectful and thank those first whom he felt responsible for his motivation in defeating the young contender. "I'm very happy. Thanks to all the illegals and legals who support me. I'm very proud. On Juarez: "He's a great fighter, a great warrior and a great champion, too."
Former two-time WBC Super Welterweight titlist Javier Castillejo (58-6 with 39 KOs) would then take the microphone. Terse, yet polite, "The Linx of Parla" would comment, "Congratulations to Fernando Vargas. I lost the fight and Fernando won. I wish Vargas good luck in the future."
The co-headliner of the evening would then approach the lectern and address the media. Although very accomodating in his desire to answer any questions and give his opinion on his performance, Vargas (26-2 with 22 KOs), who had an icepack stuck to his left cheek minutes before, looked like he'd truly endured his strongest test in a decision win.
"I'm very happy with Chi-Town. I felt a little off because the amount of weight I had to lose. I'm my own worse critic. I 'm very happy with my performance. I gave myself a better grade than I did in my last fight (A unanimous 10 round decision win against Raymond Joval in March). Thank you, Chi-Town. We will be back."
Shortly after the post-fight presser, I managed to catch up to Rocky Juarez and asked him how he felt about tonight's loss to Humberto Soto.
Rocky Juarez
Coyote Duran: Rock, where do you think things might've fallen short for you tonight?
Rocky Juarez: I think I was slightly off today. My fight wasn't there and I think I should've did things differently in the fight but those are just learning lessons, I believe. I have no excuses. I just didn't fight my fight and he was a better fighter today.
Coyote Duran: I know that you prepared immensely for a different type of fight in (WBC Featherweight titlist) In Jin Chi (who had dropped out of the fight due to injury). Do you think that was a factor in the difference in your performance being that Humberto Soto is different from In Jin Chi stylistically? Do you feel that it might've thrown you off as well?
Rocky Juarez: Well, we did work on a certain particular style like In Jin Chi in the gym for so long and training and I guess I think it showed today that I was fighting a style that, if i were to be fighting In Jin Chi, I would've been boxing more and Ithink I was more on the outside where this fight, today, I should've been more on the inside. I think I would've performed better if I was more on the inside and I think I would've looked better. But at times, I would and then at times, I didn't.
Coyote Duran: Do you think the crowd might've added to the psychological factor? It was a heavily pro-Mexican crowd there to cheer on Fernando Vargas and of course, you're a resident of Texas where you're wildly popular and supported. Could that have amped up Soto knowing that it was a now-or-never bid for him and that he needed to impress the ready-made crowd?
Rocky Juarez: Yeah. I mean, this was his opportunity. You know? He had a jump, a frog-leap into this position today. You know, this fight. I felt I was supposed to fight In Jin Chi but he was the better fighter today. I give him that and I take nothing away from him. Like I said in the press conference, I would love to have a rematch and I don't know if the people would love to see it. I think so. I think the next showing, I would beat him.
Coyote Duran: I think it certainly was the better fight of the night, if you want my honest opinion. You say you want a rematch. I think the fans would go for it. Until then, if that isn't a go, what's Rocky Juarez' next move?
Rocky Juarez: Well, (Chuckles) if anything, this wasn't a let down in my performance but I still feel that I'm capable of fighting any champions out there. I believe I'm still at the elite level. I can still compete against the best out there and if they were to tell me "Would you like to fight for the WBO belt?" which I believe Scott Harrison has, I'd take it. Or (WBA "Super" Featherweight titlist and recently stripped IBF beltholder Juan Manuel) Marquez. Whoever. I'd take any fight.
Coyote Duran: Not to drudge up a previously complicated situation, but in your fight with Zahir Raheem, the referee (Robert Gonzalez) showed major over-officiousness, I thought. In this instance, do you feel that Tim Adams was over-officious? Do you think that Soto's hitting behind the head was intentional or was it as a result of momentum? (Soto was docked a point each in the ninth and tenth for hitting Juarez behind his head.)
Rocky Juarez: I think it was intentional. I think he had that plan. I mean, the fans don't see it but it does affect. He was hitting me in the back of the head and a few times, I retaliated. I'm not that type of fighter but the referee would warn me too. But I only did it if he did it. Regardless of that, I think the referee was doing his job and I think he did a good job. Still, it doesn't change the outcome of the fight.......and, I mean........it didn't change the outcome of the fight.
Coyote Duran: Rock, welcome to Chicago. We hope to have you back real soon.
Rocky Juarez: Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you.
Coyote Duran can be reached at coyoteduran@talkingboxing.com
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