Former Champ, A Free Agent waiting for the phone to ring!
GL: What's up Elio? When can we expect you back in the ring? "I wish I knew. I recently got my release from DiBella Entertainment so I'm a promotional free agent right now just waiting for that phone to ring. One thing I know for sure is I'm never fighting at 140 pounds like I did for my last fight against Mikey Garcia. I want to fight at 126 or 130 pounds. This is where I belong and I believe I can beat any of the top guys in my natural weight class."
GL: If you know you don't belong at 140 pounds, why did you take the Mikey Garcia fight in the first place?
Elio Rojas: "I took that fight for the wrong reasons. I hadn't fought in a long time and I needed the money and I needed to get back into the ring. I never wanted to fight at 140 pounds, but if I wanted to fight Mikey Garcia everything had to be their way. I felt like I needed to get back on TV because the people know I'm not a 140 pounder, but I wanted to show that I still have skills to compete with any featherweight or 130 pounder."
GL: What do you think about Mikey Garcia as a fighter?
ER: "I think he's a great fighter that has done great things in boxing and will continue to do so. I think he had the advantages when we fought, but he's very strong and he's going to be tough for anybody to beat."
GL: Are there any promoters you'd like to work with?
ER: "I'm ready to work with any promoter that wants to do fair business with me. I would love to work with a top company like Top Rank, Golden Boy, Main Events, whoever. I saw the old Golden Boy guy (Richard Schaefer) at my last fight and I know he started his (Ringstar Promotions) company ao I'd love to work with him also. I think that Top Rank has a lot of the guys so I really wouldn't mind working with them because getting fights with guys like Salido or Lomachenko should be easier."
GL: How do you think you match up with those fighters?
ER: "I know I would do well. I think there's a lot of great fighters in those weight classes and I'm not trying to say I'm better than anybody, or I'll do this and that to this guy or that guy. I just want to fight the best in my weight class, let my skills do the talking and we'll see how it turns out. I know I have what it takes to become world champion. Even though I don't know when my next fight is going to take place, I've been working and keeping myself ready for whatever opportunity comes up."
GL: If a promoter interested in working with you reads this, how do they get in touch with you?
ER: "I'm not going to put my manager's (Joe Duva) phone number on the internet, but if they don't know who I'm with they can contact you to get the right information."
GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?
ER: "I'm here, I'm ready to fight. I feel like with one decent win, I can jump right into the ring with any of the top guys and win another world championship. All I need is somebody to give me the chance."