by Geoffrey Ciani – This week’s 95th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio featured an exclusive interview with featherweight prospect Randy Caballero (4-0, 4 KOs). He is scheduled to face Manuel Ortega (1-3, ) on October 15 at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. Caballero has had a story book start to his professional boxing career, scoring four first round knockouts in four professional fights. Once regarded as an elite amateur, Caballero recently signed with Golden Boy Promotions. Caballero spoke about his upcoming fight (which will be televised on Telefutora) and his career aspirations. Here is some of what he had to say:
On training and preparations for his October 15 fight against Manuel Ortega:
“It’s been real good. You know it’s the last week. It’s just real calm training, not that hard training. Just hit the bag, and loosen up, and keep my blood rushing and everything. Getting ready for this fight was a great camp. I had so much fun. We trained hard. I did everything I had to do. I got all my stuff done and I’m ready for this fight.”
On inspiration to become involved with boxing:
“Well I’ve been boxing since I was a little kid, probably almost twelve years already. I’ve been in the sport with my dad being a boxer when he was smaller, then having my older brother became a boxer, and me growing up watching him and growing up in a gym full of boxers that made it to the top like the Diaz brothers, and all those guys. With me looking up to them and me now traveling around the world fighting for different tournaments and all the shows we have in this valley, it really helped me and paid off. Now it’s really going good for me with me signing with Golden Boy. It’s one of the biggest companies out there now. Being with them and the manager I have, Cameron Dunkin, the team I have with my dad and my brother on my side, I know we’re going to make it far.”
His views on which weight class he believes is best suited for him:
“Well I’m good at every weight. In this fight I’m fighting at 120. I’m already at weight. I only walk around at about 125 and the most I’ve hit is 128. I feel strong at all these weights I’m at right now. If they wanted, I could go down probably to 118 and try to fight for a title and then from there, go on and see what I can accomplish in the sport.”
On what he views as his best asset when he steps inside the ring:
“I would have to say the hunger I have in me. I want to become someone so bad in this sport and have a name for myself and just become one of the greatest fighters out there and become a Hall of Famer. I’m going to do whatever it takes to do that. I know all of the hard work I do in the gym is going to payoff inside the ring. So whatever I learn inside the gym, I take it in the ring. I know it’s all because I want this thing so much. That’s what gets me through my fights.”
On whether he was seeking to end things early in his four professional fights, all of which ended by first round knockout:
“Oh not at all. I never worked in the ring asking for a knockout. I never underestimate any fighter, because I honestly see every fighter as dangerous. Everybody has those two hands they can swing, and if you get caught with one of those lucky punches that they throw, and you never know. It could probably end your career and put you out and just shatter your career. I always walk in prepared and safe. I keep my hands up at all times. I don’t want to get caught and mess up my career, but I never ask for a knockout. If they come naturally, I am thankful that I have caught the guys that I’ve gotten so far and I’m taking them out. You know like they say, the faster you get them out the longer your career lasts. So I’m not asking for a knockout in this one, but if it happens I’ll be thankful.”
On whether signing with Golden Boy has given him any added pressure or motivation:
“Oh definitely, it’s a big motivation for me. I honestly think it is the biggest company out there right now because of his name and the fighters they have and how talented they all are. They’re great fighters in the ring, and that’s what I’m trying to do. I just want to get a name out for myself and show them that signing me was a great thing they did. I just want to be one of their top fighters.”
His views on the upcoming bantamweight tournament:
“I’ve seen all of them fight. I sparred with Abner Mares. Abner Mares is a great fighter. I helped him spar a couple of times for him getting ready for one of his fights, and I honestly think it is going to be a great tournament. Not having that many people they probably wanted in that tournament, but I know it will be a good tournament. I honestly think you’ll probably see Abner Mares and Yonnhy Perez again in the finals. It’s a great thing. I know that weight class is real hot right now, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to get to the top and get my name out there to be one of the top guys in that weight class.”
His views on pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao as a fighter:
“Manny Pacquiao’s a great fighter. That guy is coming from the lowest weight you can think of and going all the way up to the top. He’s making a name for himself. That’s something I dream of doing. Manny Pacquiao, I really can’t even explain how good of a fighter he is right now. He’s somewhere where every boxer just dreams to be there.”
On whether he worries about being moved up too quickly in his level of opposition:
“In this sport you can never be rushed. I’ve seen fighters that were pushed to the top way too soon and once they get to the top it’s too much for them to handle. I honestly believe that with my team with Cameron Dunkin, my dad, Golden Boy Promotions—with them on my side I know for a fact they’re going to take care of me. They take care of all their fighters, and them having me, I know they’re going to take care of me. When it’s time to get up there they’re going to put me on the spot when it’s my time. I know right now we’re just taking it slow, getting my name out there, and taking out the fighters they put in front of me. When it’s my time to shine, I’m ready to step it up and take on whoever it is.”
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For those interested in listening to the Randy Caballero interview in its entirety, it begins approximately fifty-two minutes into the program.
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