"It's a lot of possibilities out there. The way we are doing right now, the champ is not going to fight me. I have to make them fight me. Right now, we have an opportunity at a title shot against Robert Easter, but I also want to have opportunities to fight other champions as well. We are gunning for the best opportunities that are in front of us," stated lightweight Ray Beltran, who talked about his latest win, his future plans, and much more. Check it out!
PC: Congratulations on your spectacular knockout of Jonathan Maicelo. How did you feel about the performance?
RB: I feel good, man. I feel great and I think that was the kind of outcome I was hoping for and it happened. I trained to not only look good, but to look spectacular and make a statement. I think we got it and we are very happy with the outcome.
PC: It was a lot going on in that fight, dealing with the headbutt and other things, and you remained calm through it all. Was that just your experience showing up?
RB: I knew that he had an awkward and wild style and I was ready for it. So when we were in the ring, there was a way that I wanted to move my head, but I couldn't much because he was coming in with a punch and his head at the same time, so it was very difficult and risky for me to try and move my head and make him miss punches. But at the same time, I saw a lot of openings, so I knew it was only a matter of time. So in my mind, I thought it would take me like 3 or 4 rounds to figure him out and then start taking him apart. But at the same time, I was seeing that he was open so much for a good shot.
PC: You threw that left hook sweeping as opposed to straight down the pipe, what was it that you saw that made you realize it had to come from wide and not a straighter or shorter angle?
RB: You know what? I throw that punch a lot at the gym and by the way he was moving and the openings he showed, when he throws a punch, he opens up a lot, so I saw the way he was moving and I decided to feint the jab and throw the hook. I saw the opportunity right away and I let it go. I didn't even let it go with knockout intentions on it. I didn't even throw it with full force or with bad intentions. I was just relaxed and threw it and it was strong.
PC: I think every fighter has landed that punch and as soon as it landed, they knew the fight was over. Was this that kind of shot for you?
RB: I knew it. When you land a really good shot, you can feel it when you make contact with his body, you feel the disconnect from his body. It's a weird feeling, but you can feel them lose consciousness. I remember seeing it in slow motion, when he's going halfway down and the way he hit the canvas, I knew he was not getting up. I knew he wasn't going to make it up.
PC: Now you are right back in the title hunt, but you have some loose ends to connect with gaining citizenship. Is that all coming together for you now?
RB: Right now, everything is looking good. Everything that I'm accomplishing in boxing, I think it's just getting better and better. I think little by little, it's securing my opportunities to be here and become a resident and in the future, become a citizen. It just comes with time. I gotta keep working and keep winning good fights. I think by the way my rankings and everything is showing right now, it's okay, that's what they say, you know. I'm crossing my fingers because you never know until you have it in your hand. Everything is looking very positive, but until I have it in my hands, I won't be able to relax and be comfortable. It's a wait and I'm being patient.
PC: What do you see when you look around the lightweight division?
RB: I see myself as a world champion. It's a lot of possibilities out there. The way we are doing right now, the champ is not going to fight me. I have to make them fight me. Right now, we have an opportunity at a title shot against Robert Easter, but I also want to have opportunities to fight other champions as well. We are gunning for the best opportunities that are in front of us, you understand what I'm saying.
PC: You are currently on a 4-fight winning streak with all 4 wins coming by knockout. What has been the keys to your consistency?
RB: I think it's my team. I have a smart team and they work together. I have a very smart strength and conditioning coach. My nutritionist and my supplementation that I take, everything is designed to help my body. My team is always in communication; that way, everybody is on the same page to get the best out of me. This way, we don't overtrain in the boxing gym and we don't overtrain in strength and conditioning area. We are working together and it's showing in our performance. I don't really focus on the knockout. I just go in there and work and usually the punches start landing. The knockout comes by itself. I think if you start looking for the knockout, it's harder to get because you're telegraphing your punches and your opponent can see them coming more. I just go in there relaxed, have fun, and do my work.
PC: When can we expect to see you in the ring again?
RB: I think really, really soon, man. I was already training for a fight. I was supposed to fight on July 8th, but it got cancelled. But I think I'm going to fight really soon, man. We are just waiting to confirm everything. I'm in shape right now. I was on weight last weekend. I'm just staying busy and staying sharp and ready to be in the ring.
PC: It's always a pleasure watching you fight and speaking to you. Best of luck with everything and we will speak again soon. Is there anything else you want to say before I let you go?
RB: Thank you, brother. I just want to say thanks to all of my fans and the boxing world that shows me love and support. I always represent my people. I represent the hardworking people; all of the immigrants, my Mexican people. Like I said, we are not criminals that social media and other people promote us as. I'm just the face of all of those people and I really want Americans to know about that. That's my goal, to represent all of the people who work hard. It don't matter where you are from, but there are a lot of people that don't have the platform that I have. I'm a public person and that's what people know about me, but some out there really don't have a voice and I want to represent those people. I want to thank you because you keep people informed in the boxing world and let them know about my story. Thank God, man! Thank the boxing world and my Mexican people, man!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]