Miguel Espino; “I will open up and take him into deep waters and drown him”
 INTERVIEW By Benny Henderson Jr (Sept 8, 2007) Doghouse Boxing
September 21st from the Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield, CA, season one contestant of ‘The Contender’ Miguel Espino 16-2-1 (5) is ready to go toe-to-toe against hard-hitting Mexican boxer and fellow fighter of the pugilistic series Juan De La Rosa 18-2-1 (14) in hopes of garnering another win in stride of gaining a future world title shot.
Since his time on the series where Espino lost a controversial unanimous decision to Peter Manfredo Jr., the twenty-six year old middleweight sensation has banged out seven consecutive victories that include wins over Jonathan Reid (TKO
5), Gabriel Holguin (UD 6) and Sergey Stepkin (UD 10), and Miguel is rearing and ready to continue his victory march to prove that he is a real fighter.
Read on to see what Espino had to say on his upcoming bout as well as future endeavors, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Your will be facing Juan De La Rosa September 21st, a fellow former ‘The Contender’ contestant, what do you remember about this cat from the show and what type of fight are you expecting.
Miguel Espino: What I remember is that everybody was hyping him but then he kind of fell flat with his performance against Tarick Salmaci, he did not look to good or to sharp and everybody was like he was not what all the hype was about. I am sure it is going to be a good fight, he comes to fight and if he comes forward that is when I shine. I will open up and take him into deep waters and drown him.
BH: Did Juan and yourself converse behind the scenes of the show, where you two cool?
ME: Yeah everything was real cool, there are no hard feelings or anything, this is not personal it is business; it is a grown man business. We are cool, and friends to an extent, but when the bell rings I am sure them feelings are going to go out the window and we are going to go at it and handle our business.
BH: De La Rosa has a pretty good knockout ratio, is his power a concern for you?
ME: No, not at all, because I have seen him fight, the guys he has knocked out, like the last guy he stopped has been seriously stopped a few times. All his knockouts came in Mexico against guys like 0-4 fighters and such, you have guys like that in front of you it is easier than the norm to get a knock out. My knockout ratio is not as high but I have fought better opposition, very much better.
BH: Do you feel since you have fought the better opposition that you will have the edge coming into this one?
ME: Yes, overall skill level, amateur background and pedigree, he has been stopped before and the guy that stopped him had like eighteen losses with nine wins or something like that. After the series he has not being doing as well unlike myself.
BH: Speaking on yourself and the success you have had since the series, I think you are riding a seven fight win streak?
ME: Yes it has been seven and this should be eight, I’ll just keep going forward. I am scheduled to fight, I believe Raymond Joval at the end of the year or the beginning of next year. He is a good guy to pick off.
BH: I know you your focus on De La Rosa, but what are your thoughts on the fight with Joval?
ME: Not too much, he is a good fighter, he is in real good shape and comes to fight. He has fought a lot of good fighters, he is going to be a great test for me and a great stepping stone for me to advance into the top ten.
BH: Back to your success since the series, what statement do you feel that you have made with your recent accomplishments?
ME: More than anything I feel that I have established myself as a real fighter, I am making my statement and letting everybody know that I am a real fighter and the real deal prior to “The Contender” after the series and during the show. I think everybody out there knows that I am a fighter and a real up and coming boxer.
BH: If you could say anything to Juan before the fight, what would it be?
ME: Nothing man, just come out there and give it all you’ve got because I am sure I am probably going to try to knock your head off.
BH: Anything you want to add to in closing?
ME: No, nothing at all Benny, it is all good man.
I would like to thank Mario Serrano for setting up this interview, and a thanks goes out to Miguel for his time and thoughts.
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