Interview: Joel Casamayor!
January 23, 2003
Report/Photos by Bret Newton
For a winter's day, the sun was out and it was a pretty hot afternoon. The air conditioner was on inside the gym so it was nice and cool. Heavyweight Jeremy Williams and prospect Artyom Simonyan were finishing up their workouts at 12:30pm at the Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Van Nuys.
Former WBA and current IBA Super Featherweight champion of the world, Joel Casamayor, arrived at 2:00pm to began his workout without any sparring. He had sparred the day before and will be sparring with Simonyan on Saturday the 18th. Joel’s trainer Joe Goosen turned on the heater and closed the doors to keep it circulated in for the session.
Joel came out from the dressing room and took his shirt off to get oiled up by Joe. He wasn’t using Vaseline, but Goosen said he uses a product made for removing makeup. “If it’s strong enough to take away makeup, then it’s strong enough to take away fat.”
Joel Casamayor(28-1 18KO’s) looked terrific. He looked to be in about as good of shape as any fighter could be. His muscles were ripped, and his stomach was tight. His eyes even spoke that he is in the best shape of his career. “You could be a very talented boxer, but if you don’t enjoy doing it you wont make it very far,” said Goosen. “ Joel loves it.”
While wrapping Casamayor’s hands, Joe said that Joel has only one ounce of body fat and it was apparent. “That’s why I turn on the heat.”, explained Goosen, “No fat to keep you warm. You might walk into a fighters room and be astounded by the heat, but you’ll see the fighter under a blanket.”
Joel, preparing for his next fight against undefeated Nate Campbell on Saturday at the Pachanga Resort in Temecula, California, began his workout with jumping rope and shadowboxing for about 5 rounds apiece.
During some rounds, Goosen mentioned fighters worrying about money before taking fights: “If they really want it, they’d take the fight. You’re gonna get paid. After you say you want the fight, then we’ll talk about money.”
Joel said: “I’m about boxing first, the money comes later.”
Joel made a gesture with both hands and said he had “Huevos” (balls), and that other fighters had “Guisantes” (Peas), using a different gesture.
Corner man Elan added: “It’s like Max Kellerman said, ‘Casamayor is a threat in two divisions.’ It’s true and Casamayor is willing to fight them all, (Erik) Morales, (Leonard) Dorin, a rematch with (Acelino) Freitas and of course the fight he wants most, (Floyd) Mayweather.”
Joel resumed and worked the speed bag, then onto the double end bag working on his body punches. The final two rounds on the double end bag were used by non stop quick punches, while always circling around it to the left and right. The heavy bag was next, to work on some power shots, followed by shadowboxing in the ring with a rope that was stretched tight from the top of each corner to corner that formed an “x” at the center of the ring at about shoulders height. This worked on Joel’s slick movement, and rolling under punches. Joel finished off with sit-ups, push-ups and his final stretches. It was now 4:23 and Joel was ready to answer some questions about his upcoming fight:
How do you feel and what’s new since training for Yoni Vargas last month?
“I feel good. Training is still the same, but I’m in better condition than I was for the Vargas fight.”
Why did you decide to take the fight with Nate Campbell?
“I felt really good after the Vargas fight. I’m in great condition and a champion is always prepared for a fight.”
Campbell is known as a power puncher, what do you think about that?
“That’s what they all said about (Acelino) Freitas and I took all his best shots. It means nothing to me. Nothing to anyone who is well prepared.”
What will a win over Nate Campbell do for you?
“After I win I’ll take a vacation and then I’ll be able to see what I want next in my career.”
Do you have anything to say to Campbell after his remarks?
“I have nothing to say! I’m going to do my job and fight. On January 25th I’ll do my talking in the ring.”
You are fighting only one month between fights, are there any advantages or disadvantages?
“No disadvantages. I’m coming off a big win so I’m in great shape.”
Joe Goosen added: “The more you fight, the sharper you are. Four or five months without a fight and you’re not the same when you get in that ring. Sometimes it can seem like a new place after that long without a fight. That’s the reason (Julio Cesar) Chavez was so unstoppable. His fights were so close together.”
Is this fight different for you in any way?
“Nothing’s different. I have more experience if anything. Definitely more experience than Campbell has.”
Where does Campbell rank in the 130 lb. Division?
“Seven or Eight with his record. I wont mention any names, but most of the 130 lb. guys can beat him.”
Are you still comfortable at 130 or is 135 coming soon?
“135 because I’m much stronger than before. If anyone puts up the money I’ll stay.”
What’s your prediction vs Nate Campbell?
“I’m going to do my job and win. That’s it. I’m going to win. I’m not going to do a bunch of talking like Campbell is doing.”
Vernon Forrest vs Ricardo Mayorga?
“Forrest.”
Leonard Dorin vs Floyd Mayweather?
“I want the winner!”
Do you still want a rematch with Acelino Freitas?
“Give it to me.”
Joel, never hesitant to say what’s on his mind and always ready to pose for pictures, is one of the easiest persons to talk to as well as great to hang out with. “He makes you feel like one of the family.” said corner man Javier Adame. “It goes a long way in a boxer's career.”
Oscar De La Hoya and Seidman Productions' new book “Latino Legends” appropriately lists Joel Casamayor as a “Future Latino Legend”
Casamayor's comments were graciously translated by Ricky Funez.