Talking Boxing with ISRAEL VAZQUEZ
"My dream is to be champion in three weight divisions"
by
Coyote Duran
12/20 - Some days I just wake up lucky. This particular day was one of them. I had the very, very cool opportunity to speak to
two of the toughest little guys in the sport, IBF Junior Featherweight titlist Israel Vasquez, 36-3 with 26 KOs and newly crowned WBA Junior Bantamweight titlist Martin Castillo, 27-1 with 16 KOs. Vasquez is currently preparing for a showdown with undefeated Art Simonyan (14-0-1 with 7 KOs) on December 28th while Castillo is basking in the glow of his recent points win on December 3rd over hard-hitting knockout artist Alexander Munoz (25-1 with 24 KOs).
With the help of both of the guys' manager/groovy cat at large, Frank Espinoza on language gap duty, Israel, Martin and I talked about what's in store for their careers, how they view their past and present opponents and being smaller yet explosive talents in the sport.
ISRAEL VAZQUEZ - IBF CHAMPION
Coyote Duran: Israel, back when you defeated Jose Luis Valbuena, you knocked him out 34 seconds into the 12th round. Were you nervous about a decision falling into the judges' hands?
Israel Vasquez: No, I felt sure that I was winning the fight. I wasn't worried or nervous about the judges' decision. It's just that the knockout came and it happened and I think that's what the public liked.
Coyote Duran: Now, Israel, regarrding your upcoming defense against Art Simonyan, I've read that he's sparred with you in the past. Will this help your preparation in meeting him later this month?
Israel Vasquez: Sparring is different from boxing, actual boxing. I think it works out to my benefit because Simonyan has a lot of errors and now I know which errors to attack. I'll provide that in the fight. It was leverage for me to spar with him because now I know what his defects are.
Coyote Duran: Israel, Simonyan only has 14 fights on his record. How did he receive a title shot so quickly against a "major-league" experienced veteran like yourself?
Israel Vasquez: I do realize that, but Simonyan has fought and beat some tough fighters and also has fought ranked fighters. Art Simonyan is a good fighter. He also got the opportunity because the (IBF) #1 (contender's spot) was vacant and #2 and #3 had to fight for the #1 spot. So he did fight somebody who was #3 in order to be #1 for the mandatory.
Coyote Duran: After you defeated Valbuena, there was a representative of an up-and-coming promotional company called Ringside who threw around an idea for a potential 122 pound tournament. Would you consider being part of this tournament if it happened?
Israel Vasquez: I think it's a great opportunity. After this victory this month, that (a tournament) would give me more exposure and the people would really know who I am.
Coyote Duran: Assuming you get past Simonyan, has any discussion surfaced about facing One of the other leading, well-known 122 pound titlists, (WBC titleholder) Oscar Larios?
Israel Vasquez: That would be good, but understand that Larios is gonna move up in weight and I still intend to stay at 122. Maybe down the line but right now, no.
Coyote Duran: Israel, is it difficult for you to stay at 122? A lot of junior featherweights tend to move up rapidly to 126 or 130 and I was wondering if it gets tougher as you get older to make the weight?
Israel Vasquez: No, not really. It's not a problem right now. My dream is to be champion in three weight divisions.
Coyote Duran: Excellent! So do you plan of moving to featherweight sometime soon or would you like to clean out your division?
Israel Vasquez: Right now, I'm gonna stay at '22 because I'm gonna see how many more fights I can get at 122 but down the line, maybe next year or 2006. If something arrives in 2005, maybe a good fight with a well-known name where I could make some money then obviously I would take the fight if it were to my benefit.
Coyote Duran: Israel, when we think of those well-known names, who would be your ideal opponent? Who would bring out the best in you and help give a good fight to the fans?
Israel Vasquez: Well, there's a lot of good fighters out there with a lot of good names but sometimes the styles don't make the fights so it depends on the style of the fighter too.
Coyote Duran: How do you see your fight with Art Simonyan playing out? Do you plan on knocking him out or do you plan on using a strategy to take the 12 round from him?
Israel Vasquez: I prefer to knock him out. That's what I'm going for. I'm gonna go to knock him out. But I am preparing myself for 12 rounds but I feel also that Art Simonyan is being prepared well for 12 rounds. If it goes the distance, it goes the distance. If it happens and I knock him out, then yeah, that's what I'd like to do. But I'm prepared to go 12.
Coyote Duran: Good deal, good deal! You've been at it for awhile, a true veteran of the fight game. Do you have any words in closing for your fans?
Israel Vasquez: I want the fans to know that I'm well prepared. After this fight, I'm gonna give it all. This is my first defense. I wanna show the public that this fight's all for them and I'm gonna give it all my best.
Coyote Duran: Israel, I'd like to thank you for your time and I wish you all the best of luck with Art Simonyan.
Israel Vasquez: You're welcome!
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