“The Dragon” Chris John
workout - Q & A: “The Dragon” Chris John
Interview and Photos by Ricardo Conde
June 20, 2009
(JUNE 20) WBA featherweight champion “The
Dragon” Chris John (42-0-2, 22KOs), of Indonesia, will face Rocky Juarez
(28-4-1, 20KOs) in a rematch on June 27th at the STAPLES Center in Los
Angeles, CA. Their first bout, on February 28th, ended in a
controversial draw. John vs. Juarez, which will be shown live on HBO
B.A.D. (Boxing After Dark) and being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions,
will be the co-feature to Victor Ortiz (24-1-1, 19KOs) vs. Marcos
Maidana (25-1, 24 KOs) for the interim WBA junior welterweight title.
We had a moment to sit down and talk to
Chris John as he prepares for his rematch with Rocky Juarez, here’s what
he had to say:
Q: How is training camp going and who have you been sparring with to
help you prepare for your rematch with Juarez?
A: Training camp is going very good; we have Femmy and Mikey Garcia
helping me with sparring and I want to thank them for their help.
Q: Are you doing anything different in this training camp that you did
or didn’t do last time?
A: Yes, a little bit of things we’re doing different, we have a
different strategy on how to fight with Rocky this time.
Let’s talk a little bit about your last fight.
Q: In your last outing your fight with Juarez ended in a controversial
draw, do you think you won that fight?
A: Yes, I believe I won the fight. I think I won but I didn’t get the
decision.
Q: Was he the best opponent you have faced to date and what’s your
opinion of him as a fighter?
A: He is one of the best opponents, he’s tough, he’s got good technique
and he had a very good amateur career.
Q: What kind of statement are you looking to make in your rematch with
Rocky Juarez, are you looking to knock him out?
A: I’m just going to try really hard, I don’t want to lose. I want a
proper win.
Q: What is your opinion of the current featherweight division?
A: There are many tough fighters, many young good fighters like Gamboa
and it’s a very good division to be in.
Q: What are some of your future goals, would like a unification bout
with any of the other champions, Steven Luevano, Cristobal Cruz or
Takahiro Aoh?
A: We don’t have any plans yet and I’ll leave that up to my matchmaker
Sampson, I’m sure he’s thinking about that, Golden Boy Promotions as
well, I’m sure their all thinking about my future plans.
Q: In an interview, back in 2008, you said you will fight another 5 or 6
fights and retire as the best featherweight that the world has ever
seen, is that still your plan?
A: Yes, that’s still the plan but we’ll see how things go.
Q: Is there anything you would like to tell your fans?
A: Yes, thank you very much for everything. I’m trying really hard in
this preparation and I’m to give everyone a good fight on the 27th and
wish me luck and come watch us on June 27th.
Note from Ricardo Conde (Thank you to Chris John and his trainer Craig
Christian and Team Chris John for their time.)
