Interview with welterweight
contender Alfonso Gomez
Interview/Photos
by Ricardo Conde
November 3, 2009
(NOV 3) Welterweight contender Alfonso
Gomez (20-4-2, 10KOs) from Whittier, CA, famed for season one of “The
Contender” reality show, will face Jesus Soto Karass (24-3-3, 16KOs) on
November 14th for the WBC Continental Americas welterweight title at the
MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV on the Pacquiao vs. Cotto “Firepower”
undercard which will be shown live on HBO PPV and is being promoted by
Top Rank.
We had a moment to sit down and talk to
Gomez as he prepares for his upcoming bout, here’s what he had to say:
Q: You’re currently preparing for your next fight, which will be against
Jesus Soto Karass, what do you know about your opponent and have you
seen video of his fights and what’s your opinion of him as a fighter?
A: I know him real well; we’ve sparred a few times in L.A. where we are
both from. I know he’s very strong. He has a good 15 fight win streak. I
know his trainer, Capetillo, always pushes his fighters to the limit
because I’ve seen it and I know he’ll be well prepared for this fight.
What I’ve seen is that he comes forward, throws a lot of punches, but I
believe I have more talent and all around my skills are better than his
and that should be the difference in the fight.
Q: How is training camp going?
A: Training camp is going great. It’s been a blessing coming here to
Oxnard, CA with Robert Garcia. I just had a baby girl, we’ll we had her
about a month and a half ago, and it was pretty difficult to train and
stay up at night with the baby, so coming here has been great. I’m in
the best shape of my career so far. I’ve been sparring with Brandon Rios
and a couple of other guys that Robert has put me in with. They come
forward, throw a lot of punches, simulating Karass’s style, so it’s
definitely getting me ready for this fight.
Q: What kind of statement are you looking to make in your fight with
Karass, are you going to look for the knockout?
A: Well you know we’ll try to look for the knockout but everybody knows
the knockout comes when it comes. I’m not known to have that one punch
power that will take his head off. So I’m going to work on angles, I’m
going to work off my jab to set up those big punches. I stopped my last
2 opponents with body shots and before that 3 of them so I’m working on
the body shots and maybe that will stop Karass from his attacks, but
we’re preparing for everything.
Q: Should you get past Jesus Soto Karass, name one or two fighters you’d
like to face in the near future?
A: Beating Karass definitely puts me in line for a world title fight.
There’s Andre Berto who I believe I can beat, so fighting him would be
awesome. I know he’s scheduled to fight Mosley, so we’ll see what
happens with that, either way I’m ready to fight any of the big names.
Q: What is your opinion of the current welterweight division?
A: The welterweight division is definitely one of the toughest right
now. It’s actually always been the toughest having a lot of great
boxers. It’s not an easy road but making it in this division definitely
says that me, Alfonso Gomez, is a top level fighter. Winning a title in
another division would probably be easier for me but welterweight is the
toughest one of all.
Q: Are you signed with Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., if so how has that
helped your career?
A: I’m not signed with Top Rank but my manager, Gary Githelson, has a
good relationship with them. I know if I win this fight convincingly it
could possibly get me a contract with Top Rank. So I’m looking forward
to impressing Bob Arum and his team and having a contract with the
biggest promotional company in the world would definitely make my career
go even further.
Q: What are some of your goals for next year?
A: Well winning the WBC Continental Americas belt is a closer step to
fighting for a major world title. So I’m 100% sure that in 2010 I will
get to fight for a world title again. I did in 2008 against Cotto but we
came short on that one. The preparation and the mentality I have right
now after being a felt father set me feet on the ground and made me take
this sport more seriously. I know I won’t be here much longer, maybe 3
or 4 years left, maybe longer who knows, but the fact is that time is
running and I want to get the most of it.
Q: Is there anything you would like to tell your fans?
A: I always try to put the most spectacular fight that I can, I’m known
to be a crowd pleaser and this fight won’t be any exception. Karass has
the style for me to show case my talents but he also has a style for us
to engage in a tremendous and entertaining battle. I wouldn’t doubt it
if our fight might steal the show, not to take anything away from
Pacquiao and Cotto, which I’m sure will be a great fight but I know that
I’m going to give the best performance like I do each time. I’m going to
give it all and I want to tell the fans that this fight is for them, for
me and my daughter and a brighter future.
