This author caught up with Mexican warrior Armando ?Chiquita? Vasquez who is set to face WBO Minimumweight World Champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes on April 9, 2011, 3:00 PM at the St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City. Here is how the brief chat went:
CYK: Hi Armando! How is your stay in the Philippines so far?
VASQUEZ: Your country is so beautiful! I have loved my stay so far. Bacolod is a beautiful city.
CYK: How about the se?oritas? (Laughs)
VASQUEZ:(Laughs) Just as good as the place!
CYK: How do you feel about your upcoming fight with Donnie Nietes? I?m sure you know what kind of a fighter he is and how he successfully defended his title in your country Mexico.
VASQUEZ: Yes, yes I know that Nietes is a great champion and that he was able to beat good Mexican fighters. But I?m a different kind of warrior. This is the biggest fight of my life. I will do everything to make good of this opporunity. If I beat Nietes, my life will change. How can you waste that chance right?
CYK: How did you prepare for this fight?
VASQUEZ: I trained for seven weeks. I sparred with fast boxers, taller boxers, bigger boxers, brawlers, technical boxers everything we thought of just to make me ready to fight Nietes. I have focused on my speed and power.
CYK: What will be your game plan against Nietes?
VASQUEZ: I will fight him in every way he wants. If he wants to fight like a boxer I will box him. But I would love to fight him toe to toe. I promise the boxing fans that I will not run away from your guy Donnie Nietes. Fights are won not only by skills but with heart. That is why as a Mexican, I love to fight Filipinos because they have no fear inside the ring. Filipinos and Mexicans are the bravest boxers in the world.
CYK: Does it mean that you are a fan of Manny Pacquiao?
VASQUEZ: Si si! Pacquiao is my idol. I love Pacquiao as a fighter but as a Mexican I believe that the bravest warrrior inside the ring to have ever lived is Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
CYK: Do you think this fight will go the distance or it will end early?
VASQUEZ: I know Donnie wants to knock me out. I also want to knock him out. So I think this will be a short night for everyone.
CYK: Well good luck Armando. I wish you all the best. You are a very nice guy so I am hoping that the better guy will win in this fight. Now give your final message to the fans.
VASQUEZ: To all boxing fans in Bacolod and in the Philippines, please support the fight of Nietes against me. I promise you that I am giving you back your money?s worth. It will be an exciting night. I hope to see you come Saturday! I am also thanking ALA Promotions for this chance and for the hospitality. Muchas Gracias!
CYK: Thank you so much Armando. God bless you.
(Top photo ? the author with Armando Vasquez)
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