We met up with Christian Minjares during his training camp as he prepares to challenge the WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion, Leo Santa Cruz. Leo Santa Cruz vs. Cristian Mijares is the co-feature on the Canelo vs. Angulo card this Saturday Night March 8th, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mijares, a 32-year old and former three-time World Champion Southpaw is considered to be one of Mexico’s toughest fighters. He holds a record of (49-7-2, 24 KO) and is 14-1 in his last 15 fights. His only defeat came in a world title fight, a controversial split decision against Victor Terrazas for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Title.
World Champion Leo "Terremoto" Santa Cruz is undefeated, 26-0, with 15 knockouts. Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, he now lives and trains in Los Angeles, CA. Santa Cruz is recognized as one of the highest volume punchers in boxing today. After knocking out the Super Bantamweight World Champion Victor Terrazas in August 2013, he now faces mandatory challenger Christian Minjares.
SA: Cristian, your loss against Victor Terrazas for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight Title last year ended with a controversial split decision. What did you learn from this experience?
Cristian Mijares: I learned a lot from this. I believe that the judge’s decision taught me to be more active and focused in my next fight. Don’t leave it up to the judges, if there is a way to finish the fight it’s better to do it that way because as we saw in this fight, we were robbed and that’s not right. We learned a great deal, therefore we won through this defeat. The people who did not believe in me discovered that Cristian Mijares is capable and will become a world champion again.
SA: What do you think is going to happen with your upcoming title fight against Leo Santa Cruz?
Cristian Mijares: It is going to be a very difficult fight. He is a very strong fighter, he is champion. But my attitude is 100% with concentration and desire. If God permits I will be world champion again on March 8th. I will win this fight!
SA: What kind of preparation have you done for this fight?
Cristian Mijares: I have focused on my physical condition, on my physical strength. I believe with my experience, with the amount of fights that I have had and with my south paw style this will complicate things for Leo Santa Cruz. What I need is a lot of conditioning because he is a fighter that comes to you from the front and he throws many punches.
SA: After this fight, what do you think is going to happen with your boxing career?
Cristian Mijares: It is time for me to become world champion again. After this fight it’s time to go back to the original plan. Its time to get back on top of the boxing world and to defend the title for the rest of my boxing career. I will be remembered in boxing as a legend and a world champion.
SA: Of all the fighters throughout history, who is your favorite fighter and why?
Cristian Mijares: My favorite, my idol is Oscar De La Hoya. He was a great inspiration to me when he won the Gold Medal in Barcelona ’92. It was really motivating to see him wave the Mexican and American Flags. That was very inspiring for me.
Steven Arredondo
www.convictedartist.com
