Juan Lazcano Interview by G-Man

Juan Lazcano is the current NABF Lightweight champion, who is meeting John John Molina this coming Saturday, Cinco De Mayo, on the undercard of Vargas-Rivera in El Paso, Texas.

Lazcano came first into prominence when he fought and beat Gabe Ruelas a year and half ago. He has since won all of his bouts, including a very tough and controversial fight against Jesse James Leija several months ago. He is an engaging guy with an intensity to him who really seems to enjoy the art of combat.

This interview was conducted on Juan's last day of sparring in preparation for his tough showdown with the former champ John John Molina.

BG: How old were you when you started boxing?

JL: I started boxing at the age of 7.

BG: How many amateur fight wins and losses did you have?

JL: 150 fights, about 135 wins and about 15 losses.

BG: Who was your first trainer?

JL: He was the great, unknown, but great Rocky Gallardo from El Paso, where the fight is gonna be held. Unfortunately he passed away. He was killed in 1997 and that forced me to look for a trainer, and well here I am with Freddie Roach going into the biggest fight of my life.

BG: How are you doing weight wise at the moment?

JL: Weight wise I am doing very good. I feel good. I feel strong. I haven't felt like this in a while. We will see in the fight that it will carry out and I see a big difference. I'm at 138 lbs right now.

BG: What are you going to do for the rest of the week before the fight?

JL: Just go down on my food. Right now I'm eating all my meals and everything.

BG: Are you sparring today?

JL: Today is my last day sparring. I'm sparring with that African Kid, Nana ( Nana Konadu, former WBA world champ, who also trains at the same gym) and I don't know, maybe Ernie Zavala.

BG: Do you feel any pressure because you're fighting on Cinco de Mayo, for the honor of Mexico? You have to or at least a little (Lazcano snickers and laughs).

JL: Well yeah, just a little, but I won't let it get to me. I'm just going out there and doing what I do best. I prepared for this. I know Molina is tough. I'm going into a war just like him, but I'm taking care of business. It's going to be a battle just like Cinco de Mayo.

BG: What's the plan going in against Molina? You are well aware that he knows all the tricks.

JL: The plan, I know. We prepared. We have been boxing, fighting inside, and outside. Basically, the plan is to bring it all to the table on May 5th. I'll be faster, intense, and pressure. He is fast. I'm faster. Intensity wise mine is higher and I just gotta put it down.

BG: Do you see this as a KO or decision?

JL: You know if the KO comes it comes just like a power hitter. If the homerun comes it comes. The homerun comes. The KO comes. It will come by itself. If I see that I hurt him real bad I will go in for the finish. I'm going to be laying down the law.

BG: When you get past Molina are you looking ahead of him to something bigger?

JL: Right now I'm just focusing on Saturday and me bringing it on that day and that's what I'm focusing on right now.

BG: What about Jose Luis Castillo, the WBC lightweight champ?

JL: Castillo, yeah, first I have to take care of John John Molina and then go on to the next contestant.

BG: Good luck and thanks. Is there anything you would like to say to all your fans and the boxing community?

JL: Well I'd like to let them know that boxing is a beautiful sport that I can make you see through my way of fighting. It's exciting. It's just not being brute. There's a beauty to it and it's about heart too. It's a beautiful thing and I hope all the fans tune in to see it.

BG: And who will win the fight?

JL: ''Who'' is I and I'm "him.''

BG: Good luck and thanks again. It was a pleasure.