Q & A with Miguel “Titere” Vazquez - Boxing News - Boxing, UFC and MMA News, Fight Results, Schedule, Rankings, Videos and More

Like many boxers Miguel “Titere” Vazquez 27-3(12) had a tough upbringing, brought up in Guadalajara, Mexico, he turned to Boxing because his father had previously been a prize-fighter. After a tough start to his career in which he lost three times, before he met up with Javier Capetillo (Former Antonio Margarito trainer) who revitalized and transformed him. He quickly made a splash becoming the first man to beat Breidis Prescott, who has previously Knocked out Amir Khan is less than a minute, when he got off the canvas himself to post a split decision victory. That put him in line to fight for the vacant IBF Lightweight title against teak tough Ji Hoon Kim. Once again Vazquez used his sublime skills to outpoint the hard charging Korean. Since that win last August Vazquez 24, has defended his crown late last year when he outscored Ricardo Dominguez. Next up he faces rugged Australian mandatory challenger Lenny Zappavigna in chief support to Cotto-Mayorga on 12 March in Las Vegas. It pits the classic boxer verses the marauding power puncher and will allow the victor to really make a name for himself.

Hello Miguel, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Last year you won the IBF Lightweight title against Ji Hoon Kim and then defended the title against Ricardo Dominguez what can you tell us about those two fight and how happy were you with your performances?

Miguel Vazquez – I’m super happy. At this point of my career better things are coming. Next week there’s another opportunity to show the world the kind of fighter I am.

Anson Wainwright – How did you celebrate winning the title? Has it changed your life at all?

Miguel Vazquez – I celebrated with my family in Mexico. Now it’s just me who has to work hard. Because I have to make my dreams a reality, there’s only one way, just working hard. I’m still the same humble person. It’s changing a little, a lot of people know me and while I’m the champion the purses are changing the financial aspect. I know I have to work hard to be where I want to be.

Anson Wainwright – You will fight on the Cotto-Mayorga card on March 12 in Las Vegas against your mandatory challenger Lenny Zappavigna. What are your thoughts on fighting on such a big card & what do you know and think of Zappavigna?

Miguel Vazquez – It’s a great opportunity for me, lots of exposure, people who haven’t seen me will see me. I’m going to show the people Miguel Vazquez is one of the brightest stars in Boxing coming up. I know a bit about him. He’s a strong fighter, he’s the challenger, undefeated, he comes forward, he comes to win, he comes to fight, he’s very determined. But it’s going to be a good fight. It’s going to be power and will verses skill.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use?

Miguel Vazquez – My manager/trainer is Javier Capetillo. Ricky Mota who manages Giovani (Segura) also helps me, he advises me, and helps with what I need. My Promoter is Zanfer and I train at Azteca Boxing Club in Bell, California.

Anson Wainwright – You were born in Guadalajara, Mexico can you tell us about your younger year?

Miguel Vazquez – It was very hard. I was thrown to the wolves at a young age when I turned pro. If you look at my record you can see I wasn’t managed right. Things happen for a reason, it’s helped me become a stronger and better fighter.

Anson Wainwright -You’ve lost three times twice to “Canelo” Alvarez & once to Tim Bradley. What can you tell us about these fights? How good do you think those guys are?

Miguel Vazquez – I can’t say anything bad about them; there both good fighters in there respective weight classes. I fought them in there respective weigh classes in a way I shouldn’t of, that counts for a lot.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first get into Boxing? Who was your inspiration?

Miguel Vazquez – My dad started me off. He was a former professional fighter too. He still co-trains me; he still plays a role in the camp, though Capetillo is the head trainer. I looked up to of course the legend Julio Cesar Chavez Snr and I really like Floyd Mayweather.

Anson Wainwright – What does you nickname Titere mean?

Miguel Vazquez – Titere is like puppet, I move but you can’t hit me. I got it when I was an amateur.

Anson Wainwright – Those fights like many of your fights took place up at Light Welterweight & even Welterweight. Can you tell us what that made you realize you would be better served getting down to Lightweight?

Miguel Vazquez – Once I came to the U.S with my new team. Capetillo showed me how to work hard and I knew that wasn’t my weight class and I came down to Lightweight.

Anson Wainwright – You beat Breidis Prescott who had previously stopped Amir Khan in one round, you were also down in the first round, what can you tell us about that fight and how you managed to get back in the fight after such a difficult start?

Miguel Vazquez – He was a very good fighter, he hit tremendously hard. That was kind of the fight that opened the doors.

Anson Wainwright – What do you enjoy doing with your time when your not boxing or training?

Miguel Vazquez – I like to spend time with my family.

Anson Wainwright – What do you hope to achieve now that you have become a World champion?

Miguel Vazquez – Fight the best fighters in my weight class. Be one of the best Pound for Pound fighters in the world and defend my title against the best and move to another weight class.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the other champions like Juan Manuel Marquez, Humberto Soto & Brandon Rios?

Miguel Vazquez – He’s (Marquez) the best Lightweight he’s proved it. I would like to fight him down the line. He has a lot of experience.

I think Zorrita is a good fighter. I think his best days are behind him and he’s in decline.

I think Rios is a strong fighter. But I see a lot of things I can do (with him) still. I would love to fight him down the line.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Boxing fans of the World?

Miguel Vazquez – Vazquez is the best Lightweight in the world. Stay tuned for next week with another performance by Miguel Vazquez.

Best Wishes

Anson Wainwright

15rounds.com

Midweek Thoughts – I got chance to speak to Brandon Rios and congratulate him on his title win the other week. He told me “I feel great. My hands fine, it was swollen after the fight” He added “I want to get back in the gym and fight soon. When I asked him about the possibility of fighting Marco Antonio Barrera he continued “It would be an honour”. It’s going to be a fun ride, I’m looking forward to seeing Rios all action style, it’s great news his hand isn’t as bad as first thought…I hear James Kirkland who won on his return Saturday will fight on the 25th March in Fairfield, Ca then again all being well on 9 April on the Maidana-Morlaes card in Las Vegas…Last week Puerto Rico Best Boxing headed up by Ivan Rivera who manage/co-promote most of the big name fighters in there homeland including JuanMa Lopez, Ivan Calderon etc announced they had signed amateur star Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez. I’m told that he debuts on April 1, in a TV Series named “A Puno Limpio” that they are starting Chanel 4 (WAPA TV and WAPA America). He will fight at a maximum 114 pounds no opponent has been annouced yet. It’s obviously very early, but Gonzalez could be the guy to replace Calderon…Just weeks before Michael Katsidis gallantly fought Juan Manuel Marquez his brother Stathi passed away. Over the past week it has been announced that on 31 March at a statue to comemerate him will but unveiled. For more details – http://toowoomba.finda.com.au/features/2011/03/03/stathi-katsidis-jockey-statue-clifford-park/…