09.05.05 – By The Brown Bomber: At only 23 years old, the California southpaw has star-studded entourages that rival road worriers with twice his experience. But does the next generation welterweight have what it takes to apply his amateur pedigree to a primetime payday?
In an exclusive ESB telephone interview we had a chance to find out more about the fighter some call “the unknown arsenal in the welterweight division” as he prepares for a May 13th showdown against 17-0 James Webb in the San Jose Civic Arena, to be covered by ESPN2.
BB- Jose how are you feeling and what are your expectations going up against a heavy hitter like James Webb?
JC: I feel good, really good. I’ve been training hard and eating well, my team is behind me doing their job, and I’ll do my job in the ring against Webb. He’s a good solid fighter, but I know that I’m better and quicker and will come out on top. I have been studying him on tape, and I know what I need to do..
BB: What has your team done to improve what many say is your tendency to stand straight up and get in brawls with your opposition, leaving you vulnerable to power shots?
JC: I’m a fighter, a warrior, and sometimes I like to get in there and mix it up. My trainer has helped me to develop my power and establish good head movement, and weave and counter techniques. I have some secret weapons that no one has seen before. But everyone soon will.
BB: Looking at all of the great fighters that walked into championship matches with losses on their belts, they have more often than not vindicated that loss by way of a victorious rematch. Why not settle the score with Eduardo Sanchez who beat you in 6 rounds last year?
JC: In boxing everyone gets hit, and sometimes you get hit with a lucky shot. Look, I’m not going to take anything away from Sanchez, but I was winning the fight up until the shot, and today things would be completely different. He really won’t be a challenge or learning experience for me at this point. He’s a tough guy, but now I can really take him down. He’s behind me.
BB: What weight will you finally call home, Super Welterweight?
JC: No, I’m a natural 147lbs welterweight. For now that’s where I’ll be, training to one day fight the guys like Margarito.
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BB: But, Margarito in all likelihood will make the jump into Super Welterweight for the big dollars soon?
JC: For now, 147lbs is natural and easy for me, but I’m young. We’ll see. I’ve spoken to Emmanuel Stewart, Sugar Shane Mosley, Jack Mosley, and they all tell me that I have the potential to make my mark; I just need to stay focused and dedicated on my goals one step at a time. I have been training close to Sugar Shane Mosley for over 4 years now, and I now know things that I didn’t early on. I have a new straight focus now; the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ keep’s me strong and focused like never before.
BB: What’s out there in the future for you, who’s in you dream fight that you’re shooting for?
JC: I really don’t think that way. I stay focused on my training camp. I like to fight. If I had it my way I would be fighting as much as possible, as soon as possible. I’m not intimidated by anything or anyone. I just want to show everyone what I’m made of.
BB: Well, I would like to share with you my dream line up for you.
Juan Carlos Rubio
His style, speed and reach would test your stamina.
Sebastian Lujan
With a phone booth fight style, coupled with brutal body power shots, he would test your spirit.
Follow that with what would be the biggest test of your career, a match of untold experience, but an obvious title shot gatekeeper:
Teddy Reid
What do you think?
JC: Perfect! Juan Carlos Rubio would be a good test for me sometime after James Webb. But I’ll leave that up to my manager, and we’ll see what pans out.
So what’s the answer? Is Jose Antonio Celaya the one day heir apparent? At only 23, only time will truly tell. But with momentary flashes in the ring that remind me of the flurries from Alexis Arguero of old, something tells me that this ticking time bomb is no dud.
The Brown Bomber-
“If the truth hurts, remember who brought the pain”