Jayson Velez Interview: "I'm looking forward to the big challenges at featherweight"
By Anson Wainwright (Oct 31, 2012) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © Promociones Miguel Cotto)
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The Puerto Rican boxing scene has been a
boxing hotbed for many years. You only had to witness the love and mass
hysteria that accompanies superstars like Felix Trinidad, especially in his heyday
(heck, they still adore the very floor “Tito” walks on), or Miguel Cotto. However,
the conveyor belt seems to have slowed a little as fewer and fewer top fighters
are coming through but one light seems to be shining brighter than the rest. Featherweight
Jayson Velez, a 24-year-old known as “La Maravilla,” possesses a fan-friendly style
as he mixes both speed and power. Though still a work in progress, so far, he’s
impressed many, taking his ledger to 19-0 with 14 inside-the-distance wins.
Anson
Wainwright - You beat Leivi Brea, stopping him in six rounds. Looking back on
the fight, can you tell us about it and how happy you were with your
performance?
Jayson Velez -
I feel really good in my last fight against Brea. I trained really hard for
this fight and we had an impressive victory. I'm pleased with my performance
and looking forward for the big challenges.
AW -
What are your plans for the rest of 2012? When are you likely to next
fight and against who?
JV - My plans
for 2012 are to fight two more times and move up the rankings in order to fight
in 2013 for a world title.
AW - What do you consider your strengths as a
fighter and what areas do you think need to be worked on a little?
JV - My strengths are my speed, power and my patience in the ring and
understand that I can work more on my jab and defense.
AW - Could you tell us about your team?
JV - My team is [head trainer] Jose
Parrilla. Wilfredo Vazquez is the second assistant, Abdiel Mulero is my trainer
and Victor Martinez is my physical trainer.
AW - Miguel Cotto is your promoter. What is
the relationship like between the two of you?
JV - My relationship with Miguel Cotto is very good; he always has been
very good to me.
AW - You have the backing of the mayor of Juncos,
Alfredo Alejandro Carrion. Can you tell us a little about that?
JV - The mayor of Juncos, the Honorable Alfredo Carrion, has been very good
to me and has been there in all the steps of my career.
AW - Could you tell us a little about your
training and what a typical day consists of? Sparring, weight, where and how
far do you run? Can you tell us what food you eat and how you find making 126?
JV - My days typically consist of hanging out with my wife watching TV,
watching my children as you can, go for family fun, either visit my mom, my
dad, going to the movies, the beach, etc., really like any normal person. My sparring partners go to my gym. My
diet is balanced; even when not training, it’s very healthy, almost never
[including] fried [foods]. I'm not a soda lover; I'm a chocolate lover but when
I train for a fight, not like anything sweet or chocolate [is allowed] and to
reach my fighting weight as 126, fewer portions [of food are eaten], except
for liquids to make weight of 126.
AW - There are several world-class fighters
at or around your weight class including the likes of Juan Manuel Lopez and Wilfredo
Vazquez Jnr. Have you had chance to spar with them? If you can name any other
top professional you have trained with, how did it go?
JV - I had the opportunity to train with “JuanMa” Lopez when I was still an
amateur and it was a great experience for me.
AW - Can you tell us about your younger days
growing up in Caguas? How did you first get into boxing?
JV - I started boxing at 11 years old. I liked karate and asked if [the gym
nearby] gave karate lessons and they told me no. I
tried boxing and liked it and it was difficult at first. My
people did not have the necessary support equipment and other things.
AW - Can you tell us about your amateur
career? What tournaments did you win? Did you represent Puerto Rico? What was
your final record?
JV - I had 93 amateur fights, won 78, lost 15 and won 15 by KO. [I
represented] Puerto Rico at the Junior Olympics in 2004
and won two matches and lost one and got a bronze medal and was always willing
to fight any boxer, facing
Luis Cruz, Jesus Rojas, Jorge Maysonet, [Miguel] “Mickito” Soto, among others.
AW - Who was your boxing hero growing up and
why?
JV – I do not believe in heroes and idols, the only title I give
is to Jesus Christ, who is my hero, my example and my motivation. What was, is and remains
my boss is Miguel Cotto. I grew up watching him; I have seen all his fights. I have managed to overcome every challenge [that] is presented, even when they thought I could
not be me, going against all odds and surprised the world.
AW –
Finally, do you have a message for the featherweight division?
JV - The
reality is that I, Jayson Velez, have a desire to become a
world champion and to confront and defeat the best, for that I prepare and
get better every day and I hope [the featherweight champions and contenders]
can be prepared as well to give you the fans the excitement they
deserve.
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