EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: JOAN GUZMAN
By Socrates Palmer Jr.
Dominican dandy talks Pacquiao, Soto, Marquez and his impending free agency
On November 17th Joan Guzman successfully defended his WBO super featherweight title with an impressive and dominating win over Humberto Soto. Guzman’s speed set the tone for the judges to render a unanimous decision victory, with the final scores reading; 117-111, 117-111 and 118-110.
“The win over Soto was great for me. I want to thank my team- it was not easy. Soto is a very good and tough fighter. I never took him lightly, I prepared 100% for this fight and that’s why it was easy for me to adapt to his style,” said Guzman.
For this fight Guzman debuted a new voice in his ear in between round intermissions and throughout his training camp. It was the first time the public got to see the self-proclaimed best trainer in the world, Floyd Mayweather Sr., as Guzman’s chief second. Guzman and Mayweather have been working together since April of this year. Guzman feels that Mayweather’s teaching will bring out the best in him.
“I’ve learned a lot in a short period of time with him. Getting with Floyd Sr. at this time in my career was the best thing that ever happened to me. He is a no nonsense trainer. I feel I am only going to get better working with him. I feel he is really fine tuning me he did not change my style but he has enhanced my ability. I think you’ll see the difference and things are only going to get better working together with Floyd Sr,” said Guzman.
Despite numerous toe-to-toe exchanges and throwing more punches, the plodding Soto was not able to do any significant damage to the fleet-footed Guzman. According to CompuBox numbers, Guzman landed 44% of his overall punches (302 of 686). Meanwhile counterpart Soto managed to land 192 of 888 shots, which added up to a meager 22%. In the category of power punches, Guzman landed 54% of his blows, (216 of 401) despite the fact Soto threw more power punches, he was far less effective as he landed 143 out of 524, and thus yielding a percentage of 27%.
“He surprised me and hit me with some clean shots, and I feel I took them very well. I was never hurt during the bout,” Guzman.
Prior to the fighters meeting in the middle of the ring, there were rumors of controversy in Soto’s pre-fight preparation. Guzman elaborated on this report for Boxingtalk. “I was told by my assistant trainer Darling Percy and my manager Jose Nunez that Soto’s team was wrapping his hands in an illegal way. My trainer brought this to the attention of a dressing room inspector and he was forced to re-wrap his hands again,” Guzman.
According to Guzman, Soto’s team was using the technique of gauze and tape in succession of one another during the wrapping of his hands, as opposed to the acceptable and legal method of utilizing gauze and then athletic tape at the conclusion of the hand wrap. Felix Trinidad, faced related scrutiny when he was mandated to re-wrap his hands after someone from Bernard Hopkins corner called into question a similar tactic during the preparation for their epic encounter in 2001. Guzman said that this form of hand wrapping makes the hands feel like that of a cast.
It has been well documented that Guzman has had problems in the past keeping his hands healthy. At the conclusion of this fight however, Guzman says that both his hands feel great and it is the first time in a very long time, that he is not feeling the ill effects of soreness, in his hands and shoulders that has plagued him before.
“Physically I feel fine. I’d like to thank God that I came away from this bout injury free. I’d like to especially thank Rafael Garcia who did a wonderful job wrapping my hands throughout my training camp and of course prior to the fight. After working with him I can honestly say that he is the best hand wrapper in the business. Also I’d like to thank Elvis Grant and his Grant gloves, for making the gloves I used on that night, they really did wonders for 12 rounds,” Guzman.
An injury free Guzman, would lead you to believe that there may not be such a long hiatus in between bouts again for the WBO champion. Guzman, says that he’d like to get back into the ring in the spring of 2008. However Guzman says that it’s up to his manager and promoters. Guzman stated that his manager and representatives from Sycuan Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions will be talking this week and working on a possible March date. Boxingtalk learned that the contract that he holds with the two companies, who currently have a joint venture with him, has expired. With that being said will Guzman choose free agency?
“To my understanding my promotional contract ends in March 2008. My loyalty is always with Sycuan and Golden Boy, they are my number 1 option. So far we’ve had a good working relationship with both Golden Boy and Sycuan. I’ve been on HBO, three times, in the past year and a half and they’ve helped me to get to where I am so far. Hopefully they will do good by me when the time comes to talk contract. But I really leave that up to my manager, that’s why he is around to handle the business end of my career,” Guzman.
With this win Guzman currently owns an unblemished record of 28-0 with 17 knockouts to his credit. Guzman nevertheless will only be satisfied, with being the best in the world. In order to achieve this goal, he must go through a couple of the bigger names in the sport, who reside in his weight class. Most notably the consensus best super featherweight in the world is the Pac-Man, Manny Pacquiao. Guzman says he has been chasing Pacquiao, since they were both at 122 pounds, and wants him even more now that they are at 130 pounds. One would think that with the recent truce between Golden Boy and Top Rank that another big matchup between Oscar De La Hoya and Bob Arum fighters would not be so complicated to make.
“I have no respect for Pacquiao, He has turned me down so many times. His people around him and media in the Philippines have asked why am I being so demanding and who have I beaten to deserve a shot at Pacquiao? Well I want them to ask themselves that same question. What did Pacquiao do to deserve a shot at Marco Antonio Barrera when they fought the first time? But Barrera being a true warrior he gave the unknown and unheard of Pacquiao a chance. Pacquiao is not doing this; he’s being protected by his people. No disrespect to Juan Manuel Marquez, I think he deserves his shot at Pacquiao too. I am hoping to fight the winner. Don’t be surprised if Marquez knocks his ass out,” said Guzman.
Guzman’s desire to land a big money fight with Pacquiao is obvious in his voice, when you speak to him. However he says that he does not discriminate and would love a fight with Marquez, if he is the winner of that highly anticipated March 15th contest.
“Of course I’d fight Marquez. As a matter of fact my manager and I wanted to step in as a replacement for Jorge Barrios, when he was injured and they had to postpone their original bout in September. Golden Boy turned us down and instead they went with Rocky Juarez in November. I have no problems fighting Marquez. I just want to fight the best,” Guzman said.
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