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Middleweight prospect Miguel Angel Espino, 10-2-1 (4), gets his shot to shine this Sunday night on ESPN when ‘The Contender’ throws an in your face fight fest labeled ‘East Coast Pride’. The co-main event will feature the former Contender contestant who is set to face Dominican pugilist Dorian Beaupierre, 12-4-2 (6), in an eight round throw down.
Espino competed on the first season of the sweet science TV series but was eliminated by Peter Manfredo, so now the twenty-five year old wants to take this opportunity to showcase his talents to the world. Coming off of a fifth round TKO victory over the fight veteran Jonathan Reid, Espino looks to continue the W’s and even more so prove that he is a major player in the middleweight division.
The Californian is set to shine 9:30 PM EST on ESPN so tune in for a night full of action packed pugilism! For now read what Miguel had to say about his upcoming match as well as his time on The Contender, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Miguel first off I would like to thank you for taking the time to speak to the Doghouse, how has your training been for your upcoming match this Sunday?
Miguel Espino: It has been going great, I am getting great sparring and training with John, it has just awesome. We finished our last day of sparring today and I am good to go for Sunday, I feel really good.
BH: What can you tell us about your opponent Dorian Beaupierre, and what type of fight are you anticipating?
ME: Dorian always comes to fight, he is a very competitive fighter but he is on a losing streak right now, but it was losses to top guys. Shouldn’t have no shame, I think that he thinks he is going to do it and beat me and it should be a great interesting fight and it should be an entertaining fight. I think I have a possibility of stopping him because my body shots have really been working well in training so we will see what happens, but it should be a great fight.
BH: Looking back on your experience on the boxing reality series The Contender, how do you feel the exposure affected your career and life as well?
ME: It affected definitely in a positive way because a lot of people that weren’t even interested in boxing have become fans of the sport and fans of mine. It was all around great exposure for the sport as well as myself.
BH: Are there any guys from the show that you are friends with?
ME: Yeah I am pretty close to Sergio, Alfonso and Tark and with the sparring for this fight I was sparring Peter so we are still cool, it is cool.
BH: You fought Manfredo Jr. on the series, and I am sure you are familiar with Scott Pemberton, so in your opinion what do you feel the outcome will be?
ME: When we first started camp I told Peter that was a dumb fight in my opinion because even though Pemberton got knocked out by Jeff Lacy he is a tough guy and they both are in their backyard and he is a natural super middleweight and Peter is coming up and I don’t think it is a smart fight for him, but hopefully the outcome will be him winning. It’s a pick ’em fight for sure.
BH: How has it been working with trainer John Bray?
ME: It has been really great, he has really had some time to focus on me right now and for the last six weeks or so it has been great, he is an awesome trainer and we have been working on some new things and it has been great.
BH: What is your drive in the sport of boxing?
ME: Definitely the love, because as you know only a small percentage is making the real money, the love of it and to maybe one day fight and win a title or at least say I tried. I fight for the love of it.
BH: What can the boxing world expect out of you with in the next year?
ME: Well I hope to get at least five fights and maybe a big fight at the end of this year or early next year with a top ten guy, and break the top ten hopefully.
BH: Looking at your style what do you feel is your best quality as a fighter?
ME: When it gets hot in the ring and most fighters would back down or fold that is when I raise my game, as more rounds go on and the fight gets tougher and harder that is when I elevate my game. Even in sparring I do that and I feel that is what people notice, they notice that I come to fight, so you better be in shape because I am coming to do it.
BH: Is there anything you would like to add to this interview or say in closing?
ME: Thanks to the Contender people again for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills on the twelfth and thanks to my trainer and my inner circle. Thanks a lot.
I would like to thank John Bray and Mario Serrano for their help on this interview, and a big thank you to Miguel for his time and thoughts.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006
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INTERVIEW By "Big Dog" Benny Henderson Jr. (February 9, 2006)
