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Jose
Navarro's New Year's Resolution:
I Want To Bring The WBC Belt Home! By Will "The Thrill" Trillo Photo: Bret "The Threat" Newton
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So, I am driving home from day 2 of the great Christmas present exchange, when my cell phone rings and it's my good friend Mack Kurihara. The trainer of 6 World Champions was in Japan and he wanted to know if I had a few moments to chat with a fighter he is doing some consulting for, # 1 WBC rated Super Flyweight Jose Navarro (21-0, 9 KO's). They are in Japan as Navarro prepares to take on WBC Super Flyweight Champ, Katsushige Kawashima (27-3, 18 KO's) this January 3rd at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo! I told Mack that I would be home in 5 minutes and I would wait for his call on my land line, and just as always, Mack was right on time with his return phone call and he promptly handed the phone over to Jose!
Jose! How are you? How were your holidays?
Umm, a little lonely! We are in Japan, we are working hard and staying focused, we got an opportunity to be World Champion so we are working hard!
Umm, a little lonely! We are in Japan, we are working hard and staying focused, we got an opportunity to be World Champion so we are working hard!
When did you get to Japan?
We got here on December 11th. Our fight is on January 3rd, just about a week from now!
We got here on December 11th. Our fight is on January 3rd, just about a week from now!
Let me just stop right here, we were together just a
month ago at Olvera Street in Los Angeles and I said we should
get together and discuss your upcoming fight, and here we are
now and you are all the way across the ocean and we finally got
some time to talk! How crazy is that?
Yeah, you know, I actually left a couple of days after that! I just wanted to get out here right away, the time change and the climate out here is so much different, I just want to do everything possible to win this fight! I am trying my best, I have been waiting for this all my life! It's all motivation for me, I want to accomplish my boxing dream, and in doing this I will be happy for the rest of my life!
Yeah, you know, I actually left a couple of days after that! I just wanted to get out here right away, the time change and the climate out here is so much different, I just want to do everything possible to win this fight! I am trying my best, I have been waiting for this all my life! It's all motivation for me, I want to accomplish my boxing dream, and in doing this I will be happy for the rest of my life!
There is an alphabet soup of Championship Belts out there, but you will be fighting for the prestigious WBC Belt!
This is the one! This is what you want to accomplish in boxing, win the WBC Title. As a kid the WBC Belt always stood out for me, more than all the rest of them!
What do you know about your opponent, Kawashima?
He's the Champ, they talk about him being a strong puncher and a good fighter! Of course he is a good fighter, he is the World Champion! I am prepared, every fight is dangerous, that's the way I see it! There is no fight where you can just go out there and take your time and take it easy, every fight is dangerous so that is why I always prepare the right way. I work hard for every fight, and this fight is no different than the rest! And that's pretty much all I can tell you about this fight, I really don't study my opponents too much, my trainer Frank Rivera does that whole thing for me and then we go from there! We are pretty evenly matched, this should be a good fight, I am predicting a very good fight from both of us!
You fighting on the Champions home turf, how are you
being treated over there?
We are treated well out here, we are very comfortable. I'd rather be at home but these are the sacrifices we have to make, everything is going good so far, our training is good, and so is everything else.
We are treated well out here, we are very comfortable. I'd rather be at home but these are the sacrifices we have to make, everything is going good so far, our training is good, and so is everything else.
Most of your professional fights have been in your
homeland, but with your extensive amateur background I imagine
that being away isn't messing with you that much.
No. I will fight anywhere, especially for The WBC Title. I have the experience of traveling all over The World as an amateur fighter, and the pros is only a little different. And you know, once you step into that ring you are in there with your opponent and that's it. I don't hear the crowd, it doesn't affect me, I come out here for one thing and that's to fight, and it's only us 2 in there so it doesn't make no difference to me!
No. I will fight anywhere, especially for The WBC Title. I have the experience of traveling all over The World as an amateur fighter, and the pros is only a little different. And you know, once you step into that ring you are in there with your opponent and that's it. I don't hear the crowd, it doesn't affect me, I come out here for one thing and that's to fight, and it's only us 2 in there so it doesn't make no difference to me!
You are in a country full of very knowledgeable fight
fans, they know their boxing there, and if I am not mistaken the
man you are facing just might be their last World Title holder
so I am thinking it's going to be pretty electric in the arena
that night.
Oh yeah, I am expecting that, and I am excited about it, believe it or not! I am looking forward to January 3rd, coming out of the dressing room, during the fight and after the fight, it is going to be a very special night!
Oh yeah, I am expecting that, and I am excited about it, believe it or not! I am looking forward to January 3rd, coming out of the dressing room, during the fight and after the fight, it is going to be a very special night!
Who do you have there with you right now?
It's just Mack Kurihara, my trainer Frank Rivera and myself. We just got our run in and now it's time to go eat breakfast! My weight is good right now, I am having no problems there, this is the best I have been. We have been training for this fight for a while now. I am ready, my mind is set and I am in shape, we are going to have a good showing, it's going to be a good fight for us!
It's just Mack Kurihara, my trainer Frank Rivera and myself. We just got our run in and now it's time to go eat breakfast! My weight is good right now, I am having no problems there, this is the best I have been. We have been training for this fight for a while now. I am ready, my mind is set and I am in shape, we are going to have a good showing, it's going to be a good fight for us!
This time of the year everyone one is making their New
Year resolution, let me guess that you resolution is to bring
this WBC Belt home with you!
Oh yes, definitely! Let's start off 2005 the right way and then I will have 3 things to celebrate when I get home! Christmas, New Years and a World Title!
Oh yes, definitely! Let's start off 2005 the right way and then I will have 3 things to celebrate when I get home! Christmas, New Years and a World Title!
A special thanks to Mack Kurihara, Happy New Year my friend!
Questions or Comments? Please Contact Will "The Thrill" Trillo
Questions or Comments? Please Contact Will "The Thrill" Trillo