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Edwin Valero Exclusive Interview: ?I Am Ready For Pacquiao, I Want Pacquiao? By Ricardo Lois PhilBoxing.com Mon, 08 Oct 2007 Las Vegas -- During Saturday night's post-fight press conference, Marco Antonio Barrera admitted that Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and at the same time mentioned that there is a fighter who has the abilities to dethrone the Filipino featherweight. That fighter is Edwin Valero, who was introduced to the assembled media at that moment. Hours earlier, I had the opportunity to speak with the Venezuelan WBA featherweight champion promoted by Teiken Promotions. RL: Edwin, we are here to watch Barrera vs. Pacquiao. What is it like to be in such a grand stage and know that you are not permitted to fight in the United States due to a medical suspension in New York. EV: Ricardo, it would be nice to fight in a place like Las Vegas, but it is not the only place in the world which stages big fights. With all the respect due to the United States, other countries can host big fights as well. I want the big fights against the big names, wherever they may take place. RL: It has been highly publicized that you helped Barrera prepare for his fight tonight, what was it like working with a legendary figure? EV: It has not been the first time. I also assisted Erik Morales prepare for one of his fights with Pacquiao. Working with these guys is a wonderful assessment tool for me. It lets me know how I match-up against the best in the world. At the same time, I get the opportunity to see how they prepare and compare it to my training regiment. RL: If you measured yourself to Morales and Barrera while in their training camps, where are you skills as a fighter right now? EV: I am ready, it is my time to face the grand challenges that are available to me in boxing. I cannot wait any longer. My prime is now and I am ready. RL: Rumors are flying that you knocked down Barrera during sparing, is that true? EV: Those rumors are completely false. RL: Excuse me for asking, but I want to give you the opportunity to clear up a story that came out in August. It was widely reported in Venezuela, along with other areas of Latin America, that you were attacked and injured outside of a night club in your home city of Merida in Venezuela. Can you clarify what happened, if anything? EV: First of all, I was attacked. I had not been in a night club for seven years and one evening, on an impulse, I decided to go with my wife. So we left our children with my brother and went to the club. I went as far as changing my look and disguising myself when I went to the club, as not to draw attention. When the night was over and the club was letting out, someone snatched my cellphone. I guess they liked it, since I had brought it to Venezuela from Japan. Anyways, I guess I was then hit with a bottle or a glass, I do not know. Security intervened and that is it. These papers say I was disfigured, which is not true. I did get a cut on my forehead, but it is nothing major. See for yourself. (NOTE: Valero had no scars or visible damage from the attack.) RL: When we talked earlier in the year, you described yourself as a down to earth country boy. Is it bothersome that you cannot go to a simple nightclub in your home town without someone causing you trouble? EV: I will admit, it does bother me. That particular aspect has stayed with me, but it can happen any where in the world, which is a shame in itself. RL: In our earlier conversation you also mentioned that you were about eight to ten months away from being ready for a fight with Manny Pacquiao. The time has passed, are you now ready? EV: Yes, it is now or never. I am ready for Pacquiao, I want Pacquiao. I respect him as a fighter and all that he has done. But, he has never faced anyone like me; a left-handed fighter who is just as fast and strong. I am willing to fight him anywhere in the world and at anytime. RL: Moving to the political world, what is your relationship with Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez like? EV: Wonderful. I support him and we have spoken on a few occasions. RL: Do you speak to him often? EV: No, I do not call him. I am sure he has much more important things to do than speak to a professional boxer. If I had something to say, I am sure I could get a hold of him. RL: Your next fight is on December 15 in Cancun, Mexico. Do you have an opponent for that date? EV: Not yet. We are looking at the possibility of seven different guys, but nothing has been finalized. I am very excited to be fighting in Mexico. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ricardo Lois.  |
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