Exclusive Boxing Interview: Joel Casamayor
“El Cepillo” Looking To Send A Message And Plans To Make Corrales The Delivery Boy!
 Click for larger image © Tom Casino Showtime Boxing |
Former WBA Super Featherweight Champion Joel “El Cepillo” Casamayor, 33-3-1 (21), is going to face Diego “Chico” Corrales, 40-3 (33), for the third time on 7 October for the third time. Although to many it would seem that the most important thing on the line that night is Corrales’ WBC version of the lightweight title, for Casamayor, |
that is just one of the things on his list. The southpaw from Cuba who now makes his home in Mirimar, Florida feels as though there is a point to be made. Not only is this his chance to rectify a decision he feels he was cheated of back in 2004, but to make a statement to others out there.
At 35 years of age, Joel in his mind is nowhere nearing the end of his career. As a matter of fact, if you ask him, the best is still yet to come. SaddoBoxing got the chance to speak with Joel recently to find out his views on the Corrales fight, retirement and a few other things that were not expected and here is what he had to say, exclusively to SaddoBoxing.
SaddoBoxing: Joel, how are you? How do you feel? Are you ready for the 7th?
Joel Casamayor: “I feel good, I’m ready, I’m feeling strong!”
SB: This is going to be your third fight with Corrales; you stopped him back in 2003, then he won a close split decision in 2004. Do you think, from those two fights, that you know him well? Do you think he has improved since then? Is there anything new that you’re going to have to expect from him this time or will it be the same old Corrales?
JC: “Yes, I know him well. I actually think he is worse off at the moment. He has been brutally beaten his last two fights. We saw what happened in his last fight with Castillo. The fight before that, he was getting the same. Diego had to spit his mouth piece out to buy time or he had to hold on. He got the win but look how he had to go about doing it.”
SB: You’re meeting at lightweight this time; do you think the extra weight gives him the advantage in power considering the size difference as the weight may suit his frame better?
JC: “No! It gives me the advantage. Everyone talks about Corrales’ punching power. What about mine? He is not a single shot guy. His punches are not accurate. Mine are. Once he feels my shots flush, he will go down. Diego has to hit and hold, he won’t fight outright. I am better pound for pound and will prove that. Plus, his chin is soft. He has been knocked out how many times now, three? I have only been down once and it was a flash knockdown.”
SB: How did you guys come to an agreement to this fight? For a while, it looked like we would see Corrales vs. Castillo 3 but I guess the weight issues and things put that out of the picture. Did your camp approach Team Corrales for this fight or did they come to you?
JC: “You know the answer to that. We have chased him for almost three years. I called him out on national TV in front of millions. He is a BITCH! There was no one else for him to fight. He had no choice. They came to us with a real low ball offer not even worth fighting for but we took it. Matter of fact, we thanked Gary Shaw just for getting them to sign. We took this fight because it isn’t about money. This is personal for me. This is about my pride and the decision in the last fight.”
SB: If you get past Corrales and are successful in taking his WBC belt from him, there is another guy in the division with a title who has beaten you in the past. Matter of fact, he took your WBA title from you; Acelino Freitas. Assuming Freitas is successful against Juan Diaz, do you think maybe a rematch with him is next, giving you a chance to avenge that loss?
JC: First off, no one has ever BEAT ME! I have losses I was robbed on. Between the flash knockdown and the help of Joe Cortez with his point deduction, Freitas won. He doesn’t want to fight me again. He knows what will happen. I would take that rematch right away after Corrales. I want big names next. I want Mayweather. I chased him years ago at 130 and he wouldn’t fight. His father wouldn’t let him. I would love to fight Mayweather even if I had to go up 10 lbs for that one fight. He won’t fight me though.”
SB: Speaking of Mayweather, and going up in weight, he keeps talking of moving up. There was a time when even mentioned Winky Wright as a possible opponent, as if there is no one left for him to fight at 147? Do you think he is able to go up that high? Or maybe will it be a case where his ego would get him in trouble if he tried to take a chance like that? Could his mouth write a check that his gloves can’t cash due to just natural size alone or is he that good?
JC: “His ego and talk are just a front. He knows how far he can go. That’s why he has avoided guys. That’s why he wouldn’t fight me. If he came back down to 135, I would put a beating on him and he knows it. His ego is just a show.”
SB: While we’re talking about Floyd’s ego, in your opinion, how do you think he will do against Baldomir? Will Mayweather walk through him as easy as he thinks? Or is Floyd in for a surprise?
JC: “I think he will win. He won’t knock him out, I am sure of that. It’s going to go the distance. Baldomir is tough and strong. He takes a real good punch. Mayweather isn’t going to get him out of there. It’s going to the end.”
SB: Do you think that Floyd’s speed will be the main factor in the fight? If Floyd was slower, do you think the outcome would be different than a win for him?
JC: “Yes definitely. Like I said, no way he knocks Baldomir out. Not with the size of that guy’s head. Baldomir has been around a long time. He has had some tough fights. Like I said, that guy is tough. Mayweather has a long night ahead of him.”
SB: You have been a pro for approximately 10 years now and the only losses on your record came in fights against the best in your perspective division at the time. Regardless of how the losses came about, the only guys with wins over you are Freitas, Corrales and Castillo. If you win the Corrales fight and then get your wish to fight and beat Freitas, who would you fight next?
JC: “I would like to fight Barrera. You know how that can go, though. A lot of things factor into it. Weight, managers…etc. But, I would like a fight between us. I think a fight between the greatest Mexican fighter of our generation and the greatest Cuban fighter of our generation would be good. I think the people would like to see it.”
SB: After 10 years as a pro, you are one of the few big names out there that really hasn’t moved around too much as far as weight goes. You fought and were champion at super featherweight and now, for the last two years, you have fought at lightweight. Do you have any plans to jump up to maybe 140 next? Possibly fight Castillo?
JC: “135 is where I am at right now, that’s my weight. I will probably stay there but I would jump up for a big fight. If the money was there, I would fight anyone. Castillo, Mayweather, I wouldn’t stay there but I would move up for a fight.”
SB: We have established that you would like to fight Mayweather and Barrera, how about any of the other guys out there? More of the open talent seems to be closer to 140 at the moment. The guys at 130 are busy with each other, so maybe Hatton or Cotto?.
JC: “Sure, I would fight Hatton at 140. He is a tough brawler who would make a good fight. Like I said, Castillo doesn’t want to fight me but I’ll step in with any of those guys – Nate Campbell, Castillo, Hatton, whoever wants to go, I am ready. They just have to be willing. I think Cotto is jumping up to 147 or I would have said him. I am not looking to go up that high in weight. Maybe only for a money fight, but that’s it.”
SB: At 35 years old, your career is going to be winding down soon; age catches up with everyone. You are going to have to think about retirement with in the next few years. What would you like to accomplish before then?
JC: “Like I said, I want a fight with Barrera. Hopefully, I could get a fight with Mayweather. That’s one of those fights I would jump up for. I want nothing but big fights from here on out. I am 35 years young. Don’t let the fight with Pearson fool you, I am ready and still in top shape. I am ready to go with any one of these big name guys, but not too many of them want to step in with me.”
SB: From 135 to 147, there is a lot of talent. Corrales, Juan and Julio Diaz, Junior Witter, Antonio Margarito, Zab Judah, Mayweather, Castillo, Hatton, Cotto, Freitas…I could go on all night and that doesn’t include the up and comers. In your opinion, who is the most overrated of the bunch and who is the most underrated?
JC: “I am not impressed by any of them, I don’t care who they are. Juan Diaz runs. Julio is a baby and mediocre. I already beat Castillo and was robbed. Margarito, we all know about. None of them are that good, I could beat any one of them. Just get in the ring.”
SB: What should we look for from Joel Casamayor in the next year or two? What fights are you going after within 135 lb, or the divisions just above or below?
JC: “Like I said, just big fights. Castillo would be nice, that would be a big fight. Cotto would have been good but he is going to be at 147. Hatton and again maybe Barrera, if it could be arranged. Maybe the winner of Morales-Pacquiao? Anyone willing to fight with a big name or who gives me reason.”
SB: No one specific?
JC: “Well, after ripping up Corrales on the seventh, that’s first, I don’t know. Maybe Kid Diamond, he’s been running his mouth a lot lately. I think I would like to shut it. This guy is a joke, he should just stay on Telemundo instead of calling people out. Forget talk of this new era, I am a throw back and I would ruin him. I am for real. Maybe the winner of Pacquiao/Morales? I doubt that though. I have asked to fight Pacquiao five times now and they keep refusing. That’s Ok, because he is a little man, a 112 lb stick. I am a warrior. I want nothing but the best right now and I don’t think anyone can beat me at the moment.”
SB: Well Joel, to be honest, I can’t wait to see what’s next, you sound ready and willing. If the seventh of October is anything like the last time, we should have a great fight ahead of us.
JC: “It will be. I will come out on top you will see. I am ready.”
SB: As always, on behalf of myself and SaddoBoxing, thanks for your time champ and good luck.
JC: “Anytime, thank you.”
This has all the possibilities of a great fight. We have two bangers. Personal pride and a title on the line. It doesn’t matter who wins or who loses, I think we are all in for a great show. The only thing to do now is wait!