BC – Talk about your performance, give yourself a grade. " I give myself an A, I did my homework, and I aced the test.  I aced this test all the way because it wasn't just a victory, it was a convincing victory because I got the knockout victory. 
We were looking for the knockout so we could convince people like Carlos Baldomir, Floyd Mayweather, and Oscar De La Hoya, the guys that knocked Gatti out.  I don't consider myself on the level with those guys yet, but I am getting closer."

BC – Were you surprised by how easy the victory came?

AG – There was a moment where I was thinking that it was easier than I thought to jab him, and easier to hit him with my right hand, but we prepared for that.  We knew that my right hand would be a perfect weapon against Gatti.  We also worked on jabs, and getting my distance right.  The plan went according to what we worked on in the gym.

BC – It seemed like your corner was very relaxed, was there a moment during the fight when you knew you had his number?

AG – Well when I was out there I wasn't sure how the judges were looking at it.  I thought that there were some rounds that were close.  My dad told me to go to the body, and that hurt him.  I was throwing hooks to the body, and right hands to the head, I was mixing it up.  In the 6th round I took a rest to get my second wind.  In the 7th round I really got him.  I was thinking that the ref would stop it, or Mickey Ward would stop it, but they didn't so I kept throwing punches.  Eventually I got him with a good right hand, and he went down.

BC – I noticed that you had a look of concern on your face, and you looked at the ref as if you wanted him to stop it.

AG – I did, I was concerned because I am the bigger guy, and I hit him with some hard punches.  I was hitting him with good right hands, and good body shots. I was hitting him non stop on the ropes, and I looked in the corner of my eye to see if Mickey Ward was moving to throw in the towel, but nothing happened.  Arturo Gatti is my idol, and I didn't want him to get hurt, but I had a job to do.

BC – You took the crowd of if early as well.

AG – I was surprised that the crowd was booing me that hard, I figured most of them might have seen me on the contender, and I had it in my mind that they saw how I behaved, and that I am a warrior like Gatti.  It took me by surprise that they were not just booing me, but they were yelling in my ear, and cursing at me, and saying “You're in the real world now you reality star son of a bitch.”   (laughs)....   I was smiling when I was walking into the ring, (laughs).

BC – Alfonso, welcome to the North East (laughs).

AG – I know (laughs).  It didn't bother me, it was just a first time for me to get booed.

BC – Did Arturo say anything to you after the fight?

AG – He told me that if he had to lose to someone, he was glad that it was me, and he told me that I was a class act.  He told me that he was glad that he lost to someone that was respectful.

BC – What's next, when do you want to get back in there?

AG – Well right now I haven't talked much with the Contender.  I will look to get back in there in October, or November.  I am not sure who I will face, but Julio Cesar Chavez Jr is one name that has been mentioned.  There are a lot of fighter in the Welterweight division.

BC – What about Zab Judah?

AG – I think that's a great fight, he had a tremendous battle with Miguel Cotto.  If that happens, you can type it in “Remember Where You Heard it First!”

BC – You are the first Contender series star to beat a marque name, do you have any thoughts on that?

AG – I am happy that I am the first guy to do it.  Peter Manfredo Jr came up short against Calzaghe, Mora will fight Ouma but he missed his opportunity to fight Taylor.  Me being the first one is great.  I beat a marque fighter, and it feels good.

BC – Paint a picture for the fans and describe the mood in the dressing room after your win over Gatti.

AG – Well there was excitement, people were jumping into the ring.  At the press conference we were very happy, but you could tell that the Main Events side was a little blue. At the same time they were happy, Gatti had a great run, and he mentioned his retirement.  It was a sad day for their team, but it was a great day for my team.  It was my time to shine.

BC – Describe how it feels to have the torch passed to you from your idol.

AG – It was a good feeling, I loved and admired how Gatti fought.  I felt bad that I had to see the punches that he took from me when I looked at the tape.  As a fan I felt bad, but he passed me the torch, and I felt great.  I hope that maybe when I go back to Atlantic City to fight, I can get a different reception.

BC – You might as long as it's not another New Jersey fighter (laughs).

AG – Yea (laughs).

BC – Do you have any closing thoughts for your fans?

AG – I told my fans that I wasn't going to disappoint them, and I didn't.  I told them that I was going to put on a great performance, and I did.  I want to thank my fans for all of their support!

M

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