Ivan Montiel: What’s next for “El Rayo’ [Jose Valenzuela, a 22 year-old lightweight who is 10-0]?
Jose Valenzuela: Right now, I am in the gym preparing myself for December 18th. My fight is taking place in Minneapolis, It’s the co-feature, and it’s going to be a great event. I am excited! I am fighting Austin Dulay (14-2) who’s a good fighter. He lost to Chris Colbert. I have seen of few of his fights, he’s a good fighter. Dulay is a lefty. This fight is a 135 therefore I am excited since my weight is coming up perfectly fine. I learned a lot from my last fight, going ten rounds against Denier Berrio [22-4-1]. I am excited to show everyone what I’ve learned, all the progress.
IM: I see that you’re always working, your still young yet you’re always working. It’s a good thing.
JV: Definitely. I surround myself around a lot of good people like coaches, Jose Benavidez Sr., Ponce Ramirez, David Benavidez and his brother Jose Benavidez Jr. These guys keep me humble here in the gym, that’s what’s it’s all about.
IM: Talk to us about the Benavidez brothers, including their father. What’s it like working with those guys?
JV: It’s a great feeling, great experience. They took me in at the age of 17 and I’ve been with them ever since. I am now 22. They teach me a lot about boxing, inside and outside of the ring.
IM: You sure must be learning a lot from those guys, those guys have skills those guys can sure fight.
JV: Definitely I learn a lot. When I fight, you can see notice their style in me since I’ve learned so much from them.
IM: Are you going to be as busy in 2022?
JV: Hopefully. Boxing is what I love to do, I am making great progress. The faster I move the faster that I can get to a world title.
IM: Your still young, but it seems like you think like Fernando Vargas! You want that title, you want that smoke!
JV: Yeah, I need that world title! That’s my dream, that’s why I work so hard for every single day. That world title is on my mind I will not stop until I get it.
IM: Even though you’re still young, you are looking for a title not just the money. That kind of attitude can take you far.
JV: I think it’s pretty obvious that once you get those titles, the fame and money will eventually come with it. I am not even worried about that, I want to put my name in boxing history books. That’s where it starts, winning that first world title and from there run it all the way up.
IM: If there’s one guy that you want to win that first title from, who would it be?
JV: I say Teofimo Lopez but he no longer has titles so I will say Devin Haney, but actually it could be George Kambosos or any of those guys. I know that I compete with any of those guys.
IM: You mentioned some very good names there especially since everyone is talking about these guys! What’s your thoughts on Teofimo Lopez and George Kambosos?
JV: That was an interesting fight, you know that I have to take my hat off to Kamobosos who used his jab. The man stuck to his game plan the whole time. Lopez, I am not sure where his head was that night, he thought he could just walk in there to knock out Kambosos. Lopez began to go crazy in there and paid for it in that first round. I was very surprised that Lopez went in their basically sleeping, but you know… congratulations to Kambosos.
IM: Boxing is not just about power, boxing is also about skills, heart, determination, being focused being able to fight through fire.
JV: Definitely. As a fighter, you have to have power but you also have to know when to use it. You have to know how to set it up, build off your jab and go to the body. You can’t take anyone lightly, or think you’re going to walk in there and knock everyone out with the first punch.
IM: What are your thoughts on Jo Jo Diaz [who just lost a decision to Haney]?
JV: I’ve sparred Jo Jo Diaz a few fights ago. He is a great fighter. I learned a lot from him, Diaz keeps pressing non-stop. Everyone forgets, Diaz has been to the Olympics, he’s also had a great amateur career.
IM: Talk to us about your fight against Dulay?
JV: I think I will go for the knockout, there’s no better way to win than to win by KO. I want to stamp my name on this division. I have to be patient. I was not satisfied with my last fight. I was throwing too many punches. I was throwing a lot of speed, this time I want to relax. I want to sit down on my punches, work my power shots. Instead of putting everything in hundreds of punches I want to put everything in one punch.
IM: Boxing fans love knockouts, and you’ve knocked out a lot of your opponents
JV: Knockouts is what boxing fans enjoy, I will give boxing fans what they enjoy seeing.
IM: How’s training camp gone so far?
JV: Training camp has been great. My training camp began working with both David and Jose Benavidez in Los Angeles roughly about three months ago. I am in great shape. Both brothers fought as you know, I am just finishing up with Benavidez Sr. here in Seattle. I feel great! I just sparred twelve rounds and my upcoming fight is going to be ten rounds.
IM: Is your weight on point?
JV: Yeah, my weight is coming off good
IM: Do you think that right now you are too young to become a champion?
JV: I don’t feel that young. I am 22 years old and there’s been lots of fighters to become champs by 22. Look at Tank Davis and David Benavidez. It can be done! If you take your time, they will say that you’re cherry picking your opponents and fighting bums and this and that… you will never satisfy your critics. I just want to fight the best!
