GL: It's been a while since the last time we talked. Has there been any update regarding your next fight? And what's the status of your situation with Golden Boy Promotions? "Well, as of now we have sat down and talked. We were supposed to have a conference call today, but I didn't get a call today, I'm hoping that happens tomorrow. I kind of brought up the idea of going back to El Paso. They're having sort of a local card there. No TV, but for the fiasco that happened, just to give back I would do an exhibition for the city and give money to charitable causes. Then in late July I would have a fight, but it would probably be on HBO Latino."
GL: Now that you've had some time to think about it, do you regret not fighting on April 9?Juan Lazcano: "You know what Greg? No I don't. I don't regret it. Why? Because the money was ridiculously low and that was a problem from the very beginning. I felt I was getting the run around on some things like if the fight was going to be televised. Richard (Schaefer) was on vacation and one of his reps kept telling me they didn't know. It was just a lot of confusion. Look, I have no problem fighting King Kong, but purse has to reflect the fight and the fight has to reflect the purse. That was my hometown. Sure Barrera was on the card, but that was my town and I get $25,000 for a Telefutura fight, so to fight for $20,000 on PPV was a slap in the face to me."
GL: Don't you feel that you would be in a better position today had you taken the fight on April 9 to get the comeback win out of the way? JL: "Naturally I would have gotten that W and the process would have been started already. Who knows? They might have been talking to me about Corrales or any other big fight right now. But the thing is, if I take $20,000 on PPV in my hometown, they might think I'll take $80,000 for someone like Corrales."
GL: Has it been difficult to keep yourself sharp with all this time off after your last fight?JL: "A lot of things help me out. I don't party, I don't go out, I don't drink, I love the gym and I love working out. I have my strength training plus the gym and I'm feeling really good right now. I want to get a fight under my belt and I'll fight anyone. Mentally I feel like I've gone through so much, what else can I go through? My attitude is, may the best man win. Another dimension has been added to me. I'm young and I feel strong and I'm ready to electrify and do my thing."
GL: With all this time off will you return at junior welterweight?JL: "Probably for my first fight back, but I think I'll be able to campaign as a lightweight. There's something there that hasn't been finished. I want to do what I have to do there and then move up in weight."
GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?JL: "I want to tell all the fans who log on to your site, I apologize for my comeback taking this long, but I'm hoping to get everything started at the end of the July. I'm going to be coming for the big fights, I want to put on a show and I want to give my fans the fights they're looking for."
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