Filipino-American Ana Julaton is gearing up for her big August 21st world title fight against Dominga Olivo. Julaton is currently undefeated at 4-0-1 (1 KO), and is trained by legend Freddie Roach. Julaton took a few minutes to sit down with BoxingHerald.com to talk about what is no doubt the biggest fight of her career.
BH ? Thank you for joining Boxing Herald.
AJ ? Thank you.
BH ? Talk about this big world title fight that you have coming up against Dominga Olivo.
AJ ? I think this is an excellent opportunity, and I am thankful to be fighting for the WBC title. One thing that I know about my opponent is that she likes to come forward.
BH ? Let’s talk about training camp. You train with Freddie Roach; talk about how camp went for this fight.
AJ ? This camp has been serious since the beginning. Right after my last fight we got right back into it, we went right back to work. I have been training back and forth between Los Angeles and training with Carina Moreno. This week we finally had Freddie come down and work with me. It’s been a typical intense training camp, and we’re working on all of the things, and we’re making sure that we execute well.
BH ? This is for a world title fight; is there a little bit more intensity in this camp?
AJ ? Well, I feel like that every time that I get ready for a fight there is a risk. Is it any different? I feel boxing is a very serious sport, and I treat each fight that way.
BH ? You ended up getting a draw in your last fight. What are some things that you have learned that you can bring into this world title fight?
AJ ? You know, it was a great learning experience. I think I may have been a little too serious in the last fight. I think I should have had a little bit more fun maybe — I mean boxing is a very serious sport, but maybe I could have relaxed a little bit more.
BH ? Freddie Roach is known for his master game plans. How important is it in your words, to have a game plan and to execute it.
AJ ? It’s extremely important. Being able to sit and watch Freddie work corners and work with different fighters has been great. I am going up a against a tough opponent, so to have a great game plan is tremendously important for this fight.
BH ? What do you believe the key is for your victory?
AJ ? Going in there with a confident mindset and to be confident within myself. My corner and the game plan will be the key to my being the winner.
BH ? What do you think the first thing will be to go through your mind if at the end of the fight you hear, ?And the NEW.?
AJ ? [Laughs], I don’t know but it’s something that I have been thinking about for a long time. Especially this year, everyone has been enjoying the Olympics. With women, there isn’t women’s boxing in the Olympics, so I sort of see this fight as my way of representing the women in the Olympics.
BH ? I am an advocate of women’s boxing. I don’t think I have ever seen a boring women’s boxing match.
AJ ? Thank you! Yes, women’s boxing is very competitive.
BH ? Ana, when you’re walking down the street or in a store, you do not look like a fighter. Yet in the ring, you turn into an intense prizefighter. Do people get surprised when you tell them that you are a professional fighter?
AJ ? It takes them by surprise sometimes. I can tell by the look in their eyes when I tell them. I dress like a typical girl when I am not in the ring. I am glad that I am able to share something that I enjoy to people who are interested in what I do.
BH ? There are a lot of girls out there who are in the early stages of their athletic careers. What advice would you give to them — the girls who dream of being a professional athlete?
AJ ? I would tell them to listen to their heart. Find what they enjoy and are able to do. It’s hard sometimes being a girl in the athletic world because of some double standards. I would tell them to listen to their hearts and put the right people around them, and to never quit.
BH ? Ana, thank you so much for taking a few minutes out of your schedule to talk to Boxing Herald. Do you have any closing thoughts?
AJ ? I just want to thank everyone for all of their support. I want to thank everyone in the Bay area, Wild Card Gym, and all of my fans.
