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MARIO BARRIOS: "WE ARE READY FOR THIS FIGHT…EXPECT TO SEE A BOXER-PUNCHER"

By Percy Crawford | July 06, 2015
MARIO BARRIOS:

"Preparation has been real good. We have been pushing real hard in the gym and we are ready for this fight just like all of the other fightsÂ…They can expect to see a boxer-puncher. I prefer to be on the outside picking my shots and using my range. I can also punch though," stated fast-rising super featherweight Mario Barrios, who talked about his upcoming July 18 return to the ring on the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Marcos Reyes card. Check it out!

PC: You return on July 18th on the Chavez-Reyes undercard. How has everything been going?

MB: Preparation has been real good. We have been pushing real hard in the gym and we are ready for this fight just like all of the other fights.

PC: You are 6'1" so obviously moving up to 130 pounds won't be an issue, but what was your thought process behind going up and taking this fight?

MB: The fight was just right. It's more natural for what I walk around at, so we decided to just go with it.

PC: When I see people in the boxing industry describe you, they always attach words like "phenom" and "sensation" to your name. Does that add pressure on you to prove them right or does that just build your confidence?

MB: If anything, it just gives me more confidence knowing that people are viewing me as a phenom and sensation. It motivates me even more to push myself every day.

PC: Fighting is in your blood. You have your dad in your corner and your sister used to be a very good fighter. What does it mean for you to carry on the legacy and keep that going?

MB: To carry on the name and the legacy means everything. Boxing has always been in my family. Knowing the way my career is going means a lot because I know that I'm still able to make my family proud of me.

PC: Some tall guys fight small and they give up that advantage. You are very tall for the weight class. How do you use your height and range to your benefit?

MB: Really most of the people I fight have been shorter than me, so I keep them on the outside of my punches and that way, I get some pretty good leverage behind it. So with the leverage that I can generate, I get a lot of power behind it.

PC: Would you consider yourself a boxer, boxer-puncher, or power puncher? What can people expect from you when they tune in to watch you fight?

MB: They can expect to see a boxer-puncher. I prefer to be on the outside picking my shots and using my range. I can also punch though.

PC: Your fight this month will be your third of the year. Are you happy with your activity and your progression so far?

MB: Oh yeah! I'm real happy with how busy I've been. Al Haymon and my managers Luis DeCubas Jr. and Bob Santos keep me real busy.

PC: Are you one of these guys that live in the gym or do you take breaks in between fights until you get another fight date?

MB: Since I started boxing, I have just always been in the gym. I never really want to take breaks. After a fight, I will take like a day or two rest and then I'm right back in the gym every day or right back running. I stay on my grind.

PC: It's gotta be a good feeling to fight in Texas in front of your home state crowd.

MB: Oh yeah, for sure. This will be my fourth fight in Texas. There is nothing like fighting in front of your home state fans.

PC: You are 9 fights into your career. What have you learned the most about yourself in those 9 outings?

MB: What I have learned most about myself is that I still have a lot to learn. I'm picking up more and more knowledge of the sport with each fight.

PC: You are a young kid. What are some of the things you feel you need to work on or that you have been working on to reach the plateau that you want to eventually reach and that is to become a world champion?

MB: Something that we are definitely working on now is just using our height and range really good. We really want to start working a lot more on our angles and footwork and things like that.

PC: Is this 130-pound fight an experiment or a weight class we may see you compete at often?

MB: We will stay as low as we can for as long as we can until my body can't make the weight anymore. We're not going to try and force anything.

PC: I wish you the best of luck on the 18th. I look forward to following your career and doing a lot more interviews with you. Is there anything else you want to add before I let you go?

MB: Thank you to Al Haymon and my managers Luis DeCubas Jr. and Bob Santos, and thank you Percy for taking time out of your day and doing this interview and thank everyone for supporting me.



[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]

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