Q & A with Elio “The Kid” Rojas

It’s been a tough year for Elio “The Kid” Rojas 22-1(13) it started well enough when he went to Mexico and soundly outpointed local Guty Espades Jnr over tweleve rounds in his first defence of his WBC Featherweight title. He was then scheduled to unify with the WBA Champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in July when that was postponed until September only for a troublesome shoulder injury to force Rojas out of the fight with the Cuban sensation. He has been on the shelf ever since, now thankfully he seems to be on the road to recovery and hopes to be back in action in early 2011 when he will be looking to make up for lost time. Here’s what the highly skilled Dominican Republic fighter had to say.

Hello Elio, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You are currently injured what can you tell us about the injury? How is your shoulder now & how long much longer do you think it will keep you out?

Elio Rojas – It started with stiffness on my left shoulder during camp training for the Sept. 11, 2010 Gamboa fight but the real concern was the constant swelling on my right hand when I was hitting the punching bag. As far as my shoulder it’s at 100% and the hand is healing nicely should be at 100% capacity by December and should be ready to defend my title by February 2011.

Anson Wainwright – How did the injury first happen?

Elio Rojas – The Guty Espadas, Jr. Fight, February 20, 2010 in Yucatan, Mexico.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Elio Rojas – Team Rojas is comprised of people I look up to & respect for what they have done for me & who believe in me unconditionally namely: Manager- Antonio “Tony” Tineo, Trainer-Calvin Morgan, Corner & Cut Man-Manny Seaca, & Promoter-Don King/Don King Promotions.

Rojas manager Tony Tineo also wished to add “Elio “The Kid” Rojas has teamed up with the Reading Inner-City Boxing Club, Reading, PA. The popular Dominican WBC champion has committed to serving as a role model for the youth of the boxing club. Since being introduced to the gym Rojas is impressed with this citywide year round after school program at Baer Park, West Douglass and George Sts in Reading which follows an approach that has proven to work in cities around the nation in attracting at risk youth; in particular youth involved in gang behaviors. Rojas believes that the success of the program reflects the continual need to provide meaningful recreational opportunities delivered by volunteers who assist youth in their growth as healthy and productive individuals. He is excited about serving in a leadership capacity for these kids. Rojas will announce that he will schedule exhibition matches and future press conferences at the Reading Inner-City Boxing Club; which will also provide the facility opportunity for his own training needs”

Anson Wainwright – You won the WBC Featherweight title when you went to Japan and beat Takahiro Aoh in July 2009. What are your thoughts looking back on that fight and what it meant to you to win a world title?

Elio Rojas – In one word “Incredible”, but in many more “A Dream Come True.” Beating a champion or opponents, like I did with Guty Espadas, Jr. also, at their own backyard is always a great feeling because you have to earn the respect of the crowd and your opponent and that’s the encouragement and motivation I feed off on to even want to win the bout even more. Plus that fight was dedicated to my inspiration, my dad, may he rest in peace, who always wanted it just as much as I did. That’s why when I won the WBC Featherweight Championship Title Belt I lifted the belt in the sky to tell him “it was for you, because of you and for believing in me no matter what.” I saw the best way to honor him was by winning the championship.

Anson Wainwright – You then fought in Mexico and beat Guty Espades on points. What can you tell us about that fight & how happy were you with that performance?

Elio Rojas – It was my first title defense but now I was being respected, recognized and taken seriously among the boxing world as a true boxer, competitor and champion. And, to be forward with you I thrive off beating good competitors on their own playing field. It’s like when MJ use to beat the Knicks in MSG. If someone out there hasn’t seen me in action-follow me on You Tube and see that my conditioning and discipline is so at point that I can beat the best of them by my punching ability or go the distance without tiring out like a true champion. It wasn’t by a split decision it was by a unanimous decision that I won my first defense.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first get into Boxing in The Dominican Republic?

Elio Rojas – My father was the motivator. He was a Physical Education Instructor and Personal Trainer in the Dominican Republic and always stressed the importance of good and healthy physical conditioning and discipline in sports. That was instilled in me since the age of seven and since I always admired as a child the sport of boxing I embraced it as a means to a way to make my family, especially my dad proud of me.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career, what tournaments did you fight at & what was your final record?

Elio Rojas – My amateur career consists of 195 fights; 193 wins & 2 losses. 2001 World Championship Bronze Medallist in Belfast & 2002 Central American & Caribbean Games Gold Medallist. And, currently Professionally 22 wins, 1 lost & 0 draws.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing to relax? What are you hobbies & Interests? What other sports do you enjoy watching and what teams do you support?

Elio Rojas – My relaxation consists of listening to Tropical Music; Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton. My hobbies & interest is watching Baseball / Basketball & watching Boxing of course especially my future opponents. My favorite teams are the New York Yankees & the Los Angeles Lakers.

Anson Wainwright – If you weren’t a boxer what do you think you would be doing?

Elio Rojas – I would be a lawyer like my uncle or be playing baseball 2nd baseman next to Jeter & A-Rod.

Anson Wainwright – You were scheduled to fight Yuriorkis Gamboa before your injury, what do you think of him as a fighter? What about the other champions WBA Chris John & WBO Juanma Lopez?

Elio Rojas – Oh man that’s the fight the world wanted to see and that’s the fight I wanted so bad. He’s a good fighter but I’m better!!! But, I’m a smart fighter I have to look at my long term existence but because of the injuries I had to listen to my advisors recommendations and view it as a sound decision on my future in boxing. As far as Chris John & Juanma Lopez they are two good boxers but again I’m a better fighter and look forward to being in the ring with them one day but that’s left up to the promoters. My job is to be ready when the moment presents itself. But the fight I have my eye on is a Rojas vs. Lopez showdown in New York City, preferable in Madison Square Garden or better yet Yankee Stadium, because that’s what the public and the boxing world yearns for two islanders; the Dominican Republic Champion vs. Puerto Rican Champion united in the biggest Island of all NEW YORK CITY-Isla De Los Campeons it definitely would be a SRO event and a boxing classic for the books.

Anson Wainwright – What Boxer was your hero growing up & who do you enjoy watching today?

Elio Rojas – Growing up I loved watching film clip classics of the Legendary Boxers like; Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, and Bernard Hopkins. The boxers I really enjoy watching today are Roy Jones, Jr., Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Jhonny Gonzalez.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Elio Rojas – First of all I want to thank my biggest fan God, then you of course and to all my supporters who have embraced me as there champion in and out of the ring. I appreciate your unconditional continued support and rest a sure I will be back in the ring soon. And, that I miss them as much as they miss me. Watch out I will fight to become the next undisputed featherweight champion for 2011 and going forward.

Thanks for your time Elio, hopefully the shoulder recovers and we see you back in action soon.

Anson Wainwright

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