Interview by Declan Warrington
BN: You not too long ago realized that your girlfriend Rebecca is anticipating a daughter…
JR: We discovered about 4 months in the past, so we’ve recognized for a while. We’re blissful; we’re excited, and we will’t wait till our child lady’s lastly right here. The struggle was introduced in June after which we discovered after that.
I do know I’ve somebody to handle now – a bit child lady – so I been much more motivated. I do know this struggle will do rather a lot for my household; rather a lot for my daughter.
This is a large struggle – a struggle that we wish. This is what boxing wants. Baby or not, I might have taken this struggle.
I bought right here [to Oxnard, California] early October and I been right here coaching since, so I been away from residence. It is tough. I do miss her [Rebecca]. I miss [my home city] San Antonio on the whole. But it’s a part of the sacrifices that we have now to do as boxers; to supply for our households. It’ll all repay ultimately.
BN: How good is Sunny Edwards?
JR: He’s an awesome fighter. He’s undefeated for a motive; he’s a champion for a motive, so December 16 goes to be an thrilling struggle. But Sunny hasn’t seen a fighter like me – strain; footwork – so it’s going to be one thing new to him. He’s going to have his fingers full.
He’s good at countering; shifting; attempting to get in his opponent’s head. But he hasn’t seen anyone like me. He likes to remain on the ropes; keep within the pocket a bit too lengthy. But for this struggle he’s gonna strategy it a bit bit completely different. He received’t do this with me, as a result of he is aware of that’s the place he don’t wanna be. But me and Robert [Garcia, my trainer] have been working on issues to capitalise on that.
He’s gonna attempt to transfer – try to keep away from the ropes. I’m positive that’s going to be his sport plan – not to remain within the pocket or be on the ropes – however with strain like mine he received’t be capable to transfer for 12 rounds, like he does with his previous opponents. I’m a special fighter. I’ve the footwork, and the strain – that’s one thing he hasn’t seen earlier than. We’re prepared, man, and we’re excited.
BN: You spent a whole lot of time round him to assist promote this struggle…
JR: Before that it was social media. He would tweet me rather a lot, attempting to get in my head or get a response from me, however that’s not the form of fighter I’m; not the form of particular person I’m. I simply preserve every part calm and picked up. I might see his tweets and simply ignore him, after which lastly we met in particular person a few months in the past in Orlando, and he approached me very otherwise – very respectful – in order that kinda caught me abruptly. Why he did that, I’m not positive.
I didn’t hate him or like him. I had no emotions in direction of him. Then once we met he was actual pleasant, however that don’t change something – I respect the man, however I’m not all pleasant with him both. I’m going into this struggle identical to I’d by no means met him. He noticed that he couldn’t get to me on social media so there was actually no level attempting in particular person.
[It was] a couple of week [together]. We did a media tour. We went to Orlando after which we went to London, so I used to be with him for a couple of week. It was a cool expertise – a part of the sport. I approached him like I usually do. He approached me otherwise to social media so that claims rather a lot proper there. Who is he? Is he a trash talker or a real particular person? When we get within the ring is all that issues – all of the build-up’s out the window. Sunny Edwards will probably be in entrance of me. I’ve nothing dangerous about to say him – I respect him.What you noticed on video – us taking part in ping pong, or us hitting the bag – that’s the way it was all week. Nothing modified. Everything was the identical. We had a face off in London, however that’s in all probability essentially the most I talked to him out of the entire week – typical discuss in regards to the struggle; typical build-up. I don’t care to [get to know opponents]. I’m not going to go and begin a dialog with him. I’m going to struggle him, so there’s actually no motive for that.
BN: How conscious are flyweights of how uncommon are the alternatives to earn life-changing cash?
JR: Me and Sonny are capable of deliver consideration to the decrease weight courses. This is what the decrease weight divisions want and I’m glad to be part of it. This is the most effective struggle within the decrease weight divisions on the whole. There’s much more eyes on this struggle due to the characters we’re – Sonny speaking trash – so folks take note of that; take note of the struggle. This is a superb struggle.
I didn’t find out about him till he talked about my title, after his struggle with [last year, Felix] Alvarado. That’s after I began realising who he was – that’s after I began paying consideration. [He impressed me] proper off the bat – he’s an awesome fighter.
Flyweights don’t receives a commission as a lot, so it’s more durable, being a flyweight. I used to be attempting to get a struggle for some time – I bought my shot at [last year, Carlos] Cuadras and ever since then my life has modified and I bought larger fights like this. I simply bought blessed with the chance to struggle Cuadras and ever since then, life has been completely different. Being recognised in San Antonio; being recognised on the boxing scene. Much more folks discuss me and my fights – that struggle with Cuadras actually modified it.
BN: There’s been discuss of the winner combating the nice Roman Gonzalez…
JR: Ever since I received my title they needed me to struggle him however [our co-promoter] Mr [Akihiko] Honda wouldn’t let that occur. Me and “Chocolatito” have respect between one another and that’s a tough struggle that may be made – I don’t assume it’d ever occur. The mutual respect is there. Mr Honda – we’re each backed up by Tieken Promotions – in order that’s a tough struggle to make. A sparring session can be cool, however combating? Nah. I’d like to spar him although.
He nonetheless has rather a lot left within the tank for positive – the final [Juan Francisco] Estrada struggle [last year] he began a bit gradual however then he picked it up in direction of the top. He wasn’t capable of pull it off however he nonetheless has rather a lot left within the tank.
Source link
