"I'm a smart fighter. My IQ is high as far as boxing and I don't think nobody can figure me out because I never fight the same. I switch the pace and come out each round different. I may come out fast, I may come out slow, so I won't ever let nobody figure me out...with this fight, I'm going for the kill. For this fight I want to show these dudes my power and get them out of there," stated super featherweight contender Tevin Farmer, who talked about his upcoming return to the ring, his future plans, and more. Check it out!
JR: Looking back at 2012, the loss against Pedraza, it didn't work out the way you wanted. What happened for you to turn things around and go on this streak that you are on now?
TF: Well, back then, I wasn't taking boxing as serious as I am now. Being though I had a nice amateur background, I thought I was and didn't know much. The trainers that I was with back then didn't know much either, so I was doing it just off of my natural skills and stuff like that. Once I linked up with who is now my manager and long-time friend, he helped me make a better decision. He knew I had the skills and the talent and just knew I needed to make changes. Once he came into my life, he helped me make those changes and make the right changes. Since then, it's been history.
JR: It seems that every time you get prepared, you always let Lou Dibella know your progress on social media and maybe on the phone is well. Would you just say that is your way of displaying your hunger and excitement to fight?
TF: I'm always posting stuff and I like to post up stuff that's motivating to others, you know what I'm saying. I have to let them know how far I came and stuff like that. But with Lou Dibella, I'm just letting him know I'm on top of my game and any given day, I'm ready for a title shot when and if it comes my way.
JR: You have to be very excited about this opportunity to display your skills on HBO Latino August 8th. Being that this fight is on HBO Latino and your opponent, Juan Rodriguez, is of Latin descent, you can probably say that you are coming in as the B-side on this fight. Does this affect you in any way?
TF: It doesn't. I've been labeled as that my whole career and I've overcame it, so it's really nothing to me. It's normal. Even to get a world title, you have to get on the B-side, so as of right now, I think it's a good thing and I think it prepares me for when I do get my title shot. So when I get the title shot, it won't be nothing new. Most fighters been on the A-side their whole life and don't know what it's like to be on the B-side. They don't know the hunger. That's why a lot of prospects that I've beaten, I've beaten easy because they've been on the A-side their whole life, and some with handpicked opponents. So when they face somebody like me that can really fight, it's like for real! In my book, I look at myself as an undefeated fighter. They don't know how to face it. They don't know how to face adversity when I start putting that pressure on them and not giving up. I start to break them mentally and physically.
JR: Juan Rodriguez seems to be the kind of guy who is kind of patient in the early rounds and watches what your doing and then tries to capitalize on it. Not too sure if you seen the same thing, but if you have, how do you plan to approach this kind of style from a guy who is also a southpaw like yourself?
TF: I'm a smart fighter. My IQ is high as far as boxing and I don't think nobody can figure me out because I never fight the same. I switch the pace and come out each round different. I may come out fast, I may come out slow, so I won't ever let nobody figure me out.
JR: 8 of your last 9 fights have been scheduled for 8 rounds. This upcoming bout with Rodriquez is scheduled for 10 rounds. Not a lot of people think that 2 rounds can make a difference, but it very much can. How have you prepared yourself to go all in for those last key rounds?
TF: For a regular person, the extra 2 rounds can make a difference. For a guy like me, I just don't train for a specific fight. I train all year round. I mean, this is what I do, I don't have a regular job. All I do is box and train, so 10, 12, 15 rounds doesn't matter to me. I'm built to go 15 if I want to. I know how to preserve myself and I know when to turn it up certain rounds, so this 10-round fight will help me because I get to pick and choose my shots and be more patient. 6-8 round fights, you really have to go out there and let it off because you don't have too much time. With the longer rounds, you can pick and choose your shots wisely and you can hurt your opponent more, in my opinion.
JR: Although you mentioned wanting to be in the ring with guys like Javier Fortuna, I know you're not overlooking Rodriguez. In your opinion, what's your game plan to get opponents with that caliber of name and how soon do you think it could happen?
TF: It can happen the next fight. Look at my resume! I've fought a lot of good fighters, including a world champion and a lot of guys who were supposed to be top prospects until I beat them. It's all up to my promoter to make that happen. Being that I've already fought quality opponents, it can happen with my next fight. I know I'm ready, but my promoter has to know I'm ready too.
JR: What do you want people to see from you and how does it play out for you?
TF: Every fight, I get better and better. I'm going to get in there and I'll be stronger and faster. Usually when I go into a fight, I just go in there to get the win, but with this fight, I'm going for the kill. For this fight I want to show these dudes my power and get them out of there now. I'm at that stage where I'm going to have to start getting them out of there and I know I can. I'm getting more confident with every fight.
JR: Well, I'm going to let you get back to business. Is there anything that you would like to put out there before I let you go?
TF: Well, for my fans, I want them to keep supporting me because I'm going to keep fighting hard. August 8th, they can look for a good show. I'm going to put on for my Latino fans and fans all over the world. Follow me on twitter and Instagram @tevinfarmer22.
[ Follow John Russell on Twitter @theJ_Russ3ll ]