On Thursday night at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California, promising Filipina fighter Ana ?The Hurricane? Julaton continues her busy schedule in an eight-round fight against Dominga Olivo (6-4-1) of Monticello, New York. Julaton (4-0-1, 1 KO) of Daly City, California fought on June 26th and July 5th, scoring her first professional knockout and fighting to a disputed draw against a fellow unbeaten fighter.
On Thursday Julaton meets Olivo for the vacant WBC International Super Bantamweight title. She recently took time out at the West-Wind School in Berkeley, California to speak to 15rounds.com about her upcoming fight.
Q: How has camp been for this fight?
Ana Julaton: It has been going good. It was been pretty intense. I?ve been training at Wild Card and training up in Watsonville with Carina Moreno and Rick Noble. Then came up here and Freddie finally came up here to the Bay Area. It?s been non-stop.
Q: Has it been stressful having such a busy schedule?
AJ: It can be, there are a lot of things that go on. I always have to be careful about who I am with and make sure that everyone is positive. I try to filer all of the things that I hear. Other than that I just try to stay focused.
Q: Originally your opponent was Donna Biggers, but your new opponent is Dominga Olivo. Does the late change of opponents effect your preparation?
AJ: No. I feel like a fight is a fight. I try to keep it that way so that my mind won?t stray away to different things. I have to make sure that I stay in shape and do what I am supposed to do.
Q: While Olivo?s record may not be impressive at first glance, she has only lost to high caliber fighters and fought as high as lightweight. Are you at all concerned taking on such an opponent at this stage in your career?
AJ: Obviously with a fighter coming down in weight, there are factors you want to be aware about and her opposition has been high. I just have to be prepared for the fight.
Q: From what I have been from her, she may not be the most technically sound fighter, but she is very determined. Does her style determine any aspect of your preparation?
AJ: We are looking out for some stuff in the gym. We are making sure we are looking out for some certain things. I am being careful with defense, making sure that I attack certain things. We will be ready to go.
Q: This fight is for the WBC International Super Bantamweight title. How big is it for you to be fighting for a title so early in your career?
AJ: I feel like it is a big deal. Honestly, I didn?t see it coming so quickly. Obviously for some it could be pretty stressful, because it is a lot of things to think about. As much as I can, I just try to stay focused on what I need to do in the gym. Q: How do you see this fight playing out?
AJ: I feel like I need to go in there, stay in control and box. I just have to make sure I listen to my team and listen to Freddie.
Q: Last time out you had the draw with Johana Mendez. Does that add any additional pressure to look impressive against Olivo?
AJ: No, I try not to carry it as extra pressure, but rather something I can learn from. I am glad it happened. It put a lot of things in perspective in terms of looking back at how everything went. It makes me want to do better next time. I feel like it was something I needed to go through. Now I am ready to go.
Q: No fighter wants to look past an opponent, but do you have any plans for how you will proceed in your career after this fight?
AJ: Hopefully a break (laughs). My team has not told me much about what to expect afterward. We are really focused on the 21st. If things go right I will get to wait and see what happens. So hopefully it will include some time out and I will get to eat a little.
Q: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans in closing? AJ: I just want to say thanks for all the support I have received. I am glad you guys have been there through thick and thin. I do take it to heart. It was been a pretty crazy ride for me. It inspires me to put everything into what I do.
On Thursday Julaton attempts to win her first professional title at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. In the main event, Manuel Quezada (23-4, 15 KOs) of Wasco, California defends his WBC CABOFE Heavyweight title against Andrew Greeley (14-22-2, 8 KOs) of Monroe, Louisiana in a ten-round bout.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, are available online at Tickets.com.
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected]
