"This has been one of the best training camps I’ve ever had in my career. I’m fully focused on winning the IBF belt, and not just by decision, but by knockout...Easter has issues with southpaw fighters, so that is why we jumped on this fight when it was offered. We will definitely be studying the fight he had with Denis Shafikov. I know once Easter feels my power, he will have to respect it...expect for my arm to be raised in victory with the IBF belt around my waist after I knock out Robert Easter in spectacular fashion," stated former world champion Javier Fortuna, who talked about his upcoming clash with lightweight champion Robert Easter. Check it out!
PC: Javier, how is it going, man?
JF: It’s going very well. I’ve been in training camp for a while and I can’t wait to get into the ring on January 20th in Brooklyn.
PC: January 20th, you’re fighting for the IBF lightweight world title against Robert Easter Jr. How has preparation been going so far?
JF: This has been one of the best training camps I’ve ever had in my career. I’m fully focused on winning the IBF belt, and not just by decision, but by knockout.
PC: Obviously, the height jumps off the page. You’re listed at 5’6" and he’s listed at 5’11", but Denis Shafikov is a southpaw like you are and he’s an inch shorter than you are and he had great success against Easter. I’m sure you are working on ways to cut that reach down.
JF: Of course. We know that Easter has issues with southpaw fighters, so that is why we jumped on this fight when it was offered. We will definitely be studying the fight he had with Denis Shafikov. I know once Easter feels my power, he will have to respect it.
PC: Do you feel you can implement any of Shafikov’s tactics against Easter and have success or do you have to bring your own flavor to the ring to assure a win?
JF: My style of fighting is different than Shafikov’s as it’s an awkward style. I feel with our game plan and my style of fighting, I do not believe that Easter will be able to keep me off of him.
PC: Have you watched a lot of film on Easter, and if so, what are your thoughts on him as a fighter and an opponent?
JF: He’s a very good fighter and he’s the champion, so you must respect that, and he will be a difficult opponent, but now it is my time and he is the person who stands in the way of me becoming champion again.
PC: Easter is 20-0, but in your last fight against Nicolas Polanco, he was 17-0 and you dominated him. Is this just a matter of taking another fighter’s 0 off of his record for you?
JF: This fight is more than that. I want to be champion again. I want to provide the fans with an exciting show in Brooklyn. The last time I fought in Brooklyn, I won a belt, so I feel that history will repeat itself again on January 20th.
PC: You had a great 2017. You went 2-0 against opponents with a combined record of 33-2. It’s gotta be a great feeling to fight for a world title in your first fight in 2018. A great opportunity to set the pace for the year.
JF: I believe 2018 will be the best year of my career. I’d like to thank my promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, for keeping me busy in 2017 in preparation for the big fight in January.
PC: What would it mean for you to capture a world title in your second weight class?
JF: This is what you train for and dream about when you are a young kid in the boxing gym. I want to be known as one of the great fighters out of the Dominican Republic.
PC: This fight will be taking place in New York. The Barclays Center has proved to bring a great boxing atmosphere. What can the fans in Brooklyn expect from Javier Fortuna on January 20th?
JF: The fans can expect for my arm to be raised in victory with the IBF belt around my waist after I knock out Robert Easter in spectacular fashion.
PC: I want to wish you the best of luck. I hope to speak to you afterwards. Is there anything else you want to add before I let you go?
JF: Yes, I’d like to thank my advisor Al Haymon and my promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and Brett Yormark, CEO of the Barclays, for allowing me to showcase my skills on January 20th at the Barclays Center!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]