Ivan Montiel: First off congratulations for making your dreams of becoming world (IBF/WBA junior middleweight) champion come true. Jesion Rosario: Thanks Ivan... "and the new!" IM: I recall you telling me that you would take those titles back to the Dominican Republic and you did just that... JR: Yes, we were prepared for that!
IM: How did you feel after stopping Julian Williams?
JR: I felt good, and not surprised at all. Many people doubted me but I was focused mentally and prepared myself for it. God is first.
IM: I did notice that you were very focused but many boxing fans and media were still thinking that you weren’t going to win. After the weigh-in, many people thought that you were afraid after you smiled at Williams but I noticed your confidence. What did you think about hearing people say that you were afraid?
JR: I am not the type of fighter who pays attention to those type of comments from boxing fans or the media. I am confident going into a fight knowing that I have prepared myself. What boxing fans have to say doesn’t get me off my concentration. I am aware that boxing fans are the ones who make us who we are. We make a living with boxing fans buying tickets. I smiled because Williams looked at me trying to intimidate me and I thought, wow, this guy thinks that he’s going to scare me away with his stare. I am not afraid of anyone in my division
IM: The 154-pound division is on fire! I’ve heard some Williams fans say that you won by luck and that they want to see a rematch. Are you going to give Julian Williams a rematch?
JR: Well it’s all up to Williams. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to fight for his titles. I would give him not just a one-time rematch but a million chances! I don’t have a problem giving him a rematch. I prepared well and if a rematch occurs I will prepare myself even better.
IM: I also heard some Williams fans say that you were much bigger than Williams... but Williams won the titles by beating Jarrett Hurd who was alsio bigger than him. Nobody said anything about size when Williams defeated Hurd.
JR: Well, I was bigger than him yet I weighed less than him. In the fight, I was underweight.
IM: You were underweight, yet you still beat him. You demonstrated that you have talent not just the power but also the skills to beat anyone.
JR: Yes, of course
IM: Now speaking of Jarrett Hurd, were you able to see Hurd’s most recent fight (a decision win over gatekeeper Francisco Santana]?
JR: Yes, I was watching. Hurd’s a limited fighter. I believe that I would also beat him.
IM: So you would agree to fight Hurd if that possibility arises?
JR: Yes, but right now my eyes are set on [WBC champion] Jermell Charlo! I want to fight [WBO champion] Patrick Teixeira and why not a rematch with Julian Williams. That’s my objective right now.
IM: Speaking of Jermell Charlo did you see his rematch with Tony Harrison [in which Charlo regained his WBC title] and if so what are your thoughts?
JR: I think Harrison lost focus, and that cost him the fight. He was winning the fight clearly. Harrison got too relaxed and you know what happened next [Charlo knocked him out]. After watching that rematch, out of 100 fights, I believe that I have a 99.9 percent chance of beating Charlo.
IM: So you must have seen something in that fight that makes you think that you can beat Charlo
JR: Yes, lots of weaknesses. We are used to seeing Charlo go hard from the beginning and being the macho alpha! Against Tony Harrison he didn’t look that way, he didn’t look like the way they make him out to be. He’s a great champion, a great fighter, he’s a champion for a reason. But I believe that I have the tools to beat both of these guys.
IM: Speaking of Charlo, some say that Harrison is the better boxer and that Charlo only depends on his power.
JR: Yes, I do believe that Harrison is more talented than him. I believe that it’s not only his power but that Tony Harrison is the type of fighter who can adjust better over the course of a fight.
IM: What about Harrison not being able to absorb Charlo’s power?
JR: Harrison was able to absorb Charlo’s power. Jermell is strong for four or five rounds but later on he tends to slow down. Charlo’s intensity slows down. Harrison was able to get past those rounds but later on in the fight, a big punch landed like it could land on anyone and the fight ended. But I still believe Tony Harrison is the better fighter. I had Harrison winning the fight at the time he was stopped.
IM: Now let’s say if you fight Charlo, do you think it will it go the distance or will it end early?
JR: I don’t think it would end early nor will I say it ends by decision. I don’t like to make predictions. It all depends on my preparation. Once my preparation is done, I will then say more. At the moment I am on vacation, I am not training 100%. I don’t want to say anything until I am sure about my training that way I won’t have to make excuses afterwards. At my final weigh-in going into my fight with Williams, I told my trainer that I was going to win by KO. My trainer responded by saying "I know you will." In one of my final interviews I said my fight would start with a bell and end with a KO.
IM: I remember that...
JR: I said those things because I was confident in the work I had done. That is why I would rather not make a prediction right now. I have not started training and you know something, I really don’t like to make predictions at all. In boxing, making predictions helps to sell a fight. But I am not that type of person and I don’t feel like myself when I talk too much. I work very hard like an animal, a beast! This is what has brought me to who I am.
IM: I understand what you are saying predictions aren’t for everyone. It’s something that’s born inside of some whileothers are humble like yourself. I respect your way of thinking. I also wanted to ask you how was the experience of going back home to the Island of Merengue [Dominican Republic] to see your people as you took those titles back to Santo Domingo?
JR: It was very emotional for me with everyone waiting at the airport, it was beautiful. I felt proud of all the hard work I did. My corner did a great job. During the final weigh-in I told my trainer here’s all the hard work that we’ve done for the past twelve years. I said tomorrow you will see all the hard work that we’ve done. It felt tremendous, it was an unforgettable experience.
IM: Yes, I can only imagine it must have been a joyful experience. Now speaking of the Dominican Republic, you are now in the company of some very good fighters, men like Joan Guzman, Felix Diaz [Olympic champion], Agapito Sanchez and now of course, you, Jeison “Banana” Rosario. How does it feel to be mentioned among these fighters, to become a world champion?
JR: To be honest, I always wanted to become a world champion but not for the fame. I wanted to become world champion so that I could help out my family, to have a better future, to have a better life. I didn’t think all eyes would be on me. Now I have all eyes on me, everyone wants to see me, everyone wants to be near me. Truthfully speaking from my heart as God knows, I don’t care about the fame. I feel good. I am happy because I made my dream come true which I have been wishing for since I was a kid. God gives me the victory and I give him the glory. Glory be to God.
IM: Jeison Rosario is going to continue to train hard in order to be world champion for a long time?
JR: Yes of course, I have a commitment and that’s to defend my titles and bring back my titles home. The Dominican Republic depends on me. I want to show my kids that I am not the best but that I was one of the best.
IM: Speaking of all this, lately we have seen quite a few champions win and lose their titles quickly. Why do you think this is happening?
JR: I think it has to do with all the fame. There are some who get that fame and think that they are walking above ground, that is the problem. Many refer to me as champion and I respond saying no I am "Banana"! I always tell my team in the gym you can refer to me as an animal, a beast, a dog! I want to give more, I know that I can learn more! I don’t want to consider myself champion, I want to think that I am going into every fight looking to win a title! I want to think that every fight is my first world title shot!
IM: So are you saying champions lose their titles when they lose their hunger?
JR: Exactly, the hunger is gone! These guys think that they are the best! No, I don’t want none of that! I want to think that I am going to win world championship titles not defend my titles!
IM: Now before I let you go I would like to get your thoughts on the Deontay Wilder versus Tyson Fury rematch?
JR: I believe it’s a tough fight for Wilder. I can’t give a prediction. Fury is an awkward guy who knows how to box. Wilder has the power to end the fight at any given moment. Wilder is a beast!
IM: We witnessed Wilder knocking out Ortiz with only one punch! Let’s see if Fury can absorb Wilder’s power for twelve rounds...
JR: That’s the question, can Fury absorb Wilder’s power?
IM: (Laughs) Let’s wait and see what happens. Once again congratulations on winning the two championships. You made your dream come true.
JR: Thanks Ivan much appreciated. It feels good to be interviewed by you.
IM: Thanks, you know everyone wants to know about "Banana" more than ever!
