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The frontrunners in this junior-featherweight division have been an awesome sight, but over the years since the closing super-bantam reign of Wilfredo Vasquez in the 90's, there has been a resurgence in the division; an almost harder and thriving pendulum going the other way to bringing something of a significant championship quality back in the form of recognition. We caught up with this choir looking younger man at the Wild Card Boxing Club, along with his own manager Frank Espinoza.
In this exclusive interview with hot prospect Israel "The Magnificent" Vazquez (35-3, 26 KO), who IBF #4 and The Ring #5, we discuss his thoughts on his upcoming fight for the vacant junior-featherweight championship. Vazquez meets the IBF #1 ranked and #3 ranked Ring contender, tough Jose Luis Valbuena (24-2-1, 14 KO) this coming March 25th, Live from the Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California on HBO Latino.
Israel "The Magnificent" Vazquez
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Israel Vazquez: It's going very good. I'm in the finalizing in the last parts of the training right now as we speak, am maintaining the distance. (An ingredient many Latin fighters don't take likely in endurance measures to being a winning factor)
George Diaz Smith: Tell us something about your trainer who is with you.
Israel Vazquez: Freddie Roach is a fine trainer and Justin also. They're doing both good things with me. Frank Espinoza (Israel's manager intercedes): That's Fortune. As in the Fortune 500? His name's Justin Fortune. (Mr. Fortune an Australian former power lifting record holder)
George Diaz Smith: You beat a well-established veteran of championship material already. He's been showcased on SHOWTIME. I'm referring to Jorge Eliecer Julio whom you knocked out in San Antonio in the 10th round. Explain to us the feeling you felt knowing what you've actually done?
Israel Vazquez: More than anything I had good preparation. That was foremost because Jorge Eliecer Julio was very good. Imagine he was twice the titleholder. It was a pretty hard fight looking from the vantage point about the quality of the rival alone that he was. Because of that distinction, yes I did feel pretty good about besting Jorge.
George Diaz Smith: Israel, give us your take on the kind of guy that Oscar De La Hoya is from your perspective?
Israel Vazquez: Oscar is a good person. Very hospitable and friendly in the greater sense of being a good human being. He's shown he's very sincere. Like a promoter, he doesn't waste time asking two and three times the same questions to just a limiting one individual before making important decisions. He is definitive in his final choicer decision. Oscar may ask many questions beforehand deciding for his choice for a decision to many people, adding many suggestions that could help you in your career along the way ring wise making things much easier.
George Diaz Smith: Now you've fought for the WBC's Interim and world titles in Sacramento on May 17th 2002. You gave Oscar Larios a lot of troubles up to the last round of the fight. One which had considerable considerations for fight of the year! Your loss was probably a great learning experience for you. What did you capitalize on in fighting someone like Oscar Larios that you hadn't known before?
Israel Vazquez: For one thing I should have never been careless dropping my defensive guard (he laughs) that time. And number two is to never be in there too lacksidasical by trusting any referee in this business; thinking you're going to get any benefit of the doubts about it. You're inside there alone between you and your opposition rival. I have the ability to fight better fights. I have demonstrated it.
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Israel Vazquez: On that occasion I was weaker before the fight. I had to go up in weight. I happened to hurt my right hand in the fourth round. Even though I got knocked down in the ninth round because of it when I got hit, I still remained very formidable throughout.
George Diaz Smith: You're going to fight next a 24-2-1 (14 KO) 32 year old who happened to earn his post by elimination, knocking out journeyman David Donnis last October 23rd. Given that Jose Luis Valbuena; whom you're going to meet seems strong, what are your plans to attempt in slowing him down? What do you know about Jose Luis Valbuena as your prime challenge?
Israel Vazquez: Pressure. Much pressure with intelligence. He is an intelligent fighter going in. I have to put pressure with him from bell to bell; by as early as the 5th round he should be weakened. If by chance the knockout comes for me to take, then it comes.
George Diaz Smith: Japan, Korea, and Thailand have dominated at many smaller weight categories for it seem like centuries. When you become the champ, would you consider giving a chance to a Thai ranked boxer somewhere down the road?
Israel Vazquez: Sure. Should a number break inside of the rankings. I'll fight anybody. I wouldn't mind going to someplace like Japan visiting along with my entourage to bring my skills to showcase.
*Note: At this point of the interview I hear his handlers in the background gearing him up to get ready for a boxing drill at 2:44 EST (my time) from me, with less than eight days left from the World title fight to take place speaking directly with him on St. Patrick's Day. A real good omen.
George Diaz Smith: How do you like California your home?
Israel Vazquez: I like it very well. I get as much motivation here from everyone else alike (Israel tells me he's expecting for both of his parents to fly in from Mexico City at any given moment). I am very happy.
George Diaz Smith: You know we have a much-admonished repertorial accord here in the states cheering for you to get your title. And I say yours because its been awaiting for you this time out. I'll dare even make a prediction right here and now from the jump on the Talkingboxing.com spot. I believe Israel, that when you do take your world title, that you'll have created a newer fervor to popularize this weight division like no other had done from this generation in a long time. How do you feel about that champ?
Israel Vazquez: Thank you very much. I feel good about that.
George Diaz Smith: And we’ll be even more excited when you return back to us here to hear about all of the rest of it too Israel. May the good Lord bless and keep you and yours my friend. We'll all be cheering you on!
Catch him this March 25th on HBO Latino in your listings, or call 1- (213) 489-5631 for ticket information. This is going to be one hot event you won't want to miss.
Talkingboxing.com wishes to thank Israel Vazquez for his kind words. We wish him all of the successes for his hard work, and for being such a sporty guy for taking the time to conduct this interview during his busy schedule preparing for his IBF junior- featherweight championship. I would also like to especially thank Frank Espinoza (Israel's manager) for returning my phone call, with his assistance and trust in me for the coordination to this bi-lingual interview, proving there is both a God and a market for multi-linguists to getting our stories across! And just as importantly straight. Israel knows you readers count!