Just days before his title defense, WBO super featherweight champion Joan Guzman discusses his upcoming clash with Humberto Soto. Guzman talks about what it's been like working with Floyd Mayweather Sr. and what the fans can expect when he steps into the ring on Saturday night. Check it out!
JA: How do you feel physically going into this fight?
JG: There haven't been any training injuries leading up to this fight. I feel like I'm at 100%.
JA: What has been the experience being trained by somebody like Floyd Mayweather Sr.? He has a reputation of being hard on his boxers. Is any of that true?
JG: No, not at all. I have a good working relationship with Floyd Sr.
JA: How has he helped you improve as a boxer?
JG: He has helped improve my defense and boxing. Basically, just helping me become a slicker boxer in the ring.
JA: You have a fight coming up this Saturday night in Atlanitc City with Humberto Soto. Tell me, what do you know about Soto as fighter?
JG: Soto is a guy that comes to fight. Style-wise, he is your typical Mexican fighter. He is very tough.
JA: What have you and Floyd Sr. been working on specifically for this fight?
JG: Boxing and defense.
JA: How do you see this fight playing out?
JG: I see myself outboxing him for this whole fight and keeping him off balance with my movement.
JA: There are talks that the winner of this fight might get a shot at Manny Pacquiao. What do think of the potential prospect of meeting up with Pacquiao if you get the win this Saturday night?
JG: It's a fight that I have always wanted. I have been calling him out for a long time; ever since I was in the 122lbs. division. It's about time that either Soto or I got a shot at him. It's a fight that I would love to have.
JA: How does it feel being the only Dominican boxer competing at this level?
JG: I have always said that I wanted to put Dominican boxing on the map. There are a lot of good Dominican fighters out there, but they just don't get the recognition. For some reason, people think that we can only play baseball, but the truth is that we are talented in many different sport with boxing being one of them. I feel great that I can be a front runner in that regard, having already won two world titles.
JA: What do you want to say to the people who say that you haven't looked as impressive since the move from 122 to 130? What can we expect from you in this fight?
JG: I've heard those comments and I have to say that I have been fighting a lot better competition since the move up to 130. I was never a one punch KO artist, but I do have good power and I always hit my opponents more than they hit me and that's what counts. It doesn't matter how you win; it's that you win that matters.
JA: What do you want tell your fans about this fight coming up?
JG: I am going to put on a good show on Saturday night and I want to dedicate this fight to all of my people in the Dominican Republic. I am also donating part of my purse to the victims of hurricane Noel in the Dominican Republic.
JA: Nice talking to you Champ and good luck!
JG: Thanks!