Ivan Montiel: [Oscar Collazo is a 105-pound boxer of Puerto Rican heritage. He is just 3-0 but ready to take a big step up in competition next week]. Oscar, talk to us about your upcoming fight taking place in Panama.

Oscar Collazo: On December 3rd, I am facing Ecuador’s Pedro Villegas, who is 13-1. If I win, it positions me for a spot in the top 15 at minimumweight and it would give me bigger opportunities for a world title shot. 

IM: Are you concerned that Villegas has more experience than you?

OC: Yes, that’s true, but at the same time I’ve been with boxing for quite some time now

IM: You’ve had a tremendous amateur background including winning a gold medal at the 2019 Pan Am Games in Peru.

OC: My background is very good. I fought in Central America and Pan Am. I was ranked number 2 in my weight class.

IM: What do you know about Villegas?

OC: My team and I have studied him, we know his strategy, we have a game plan for him.  Villegas is tall for this weight [5’6”].  I have already fought tall guys in the past so that height advantage will not affect me. 

IM: So it’s not the first time you’re facing a much taller opponent?

OC: No when I fought in the Pan Am games I faced both a Cuban and Colombian who were both much taller than me.

IM: Since you will be fighting in Panama, maybe Roberto Duran will be watching.

OC: Yes of course it’s an honor to be fighting in Panama, a country which has produced numerous champions, not just Duran. I would love to see Duran there so that he can see the talent that Puerto Rico has although he already knows what we have here in Puerto Rico.  I won’t say that I am going to knock out Villegas since anything can occur. But I will say that we will take him round by round.  We will tire him out and if we see an opportunity to do so, then we will finish him.  If this fight goes the distance so be it. As long as we win, I will be happy. I am hoping that a world title shot will come next year. I am thinking I need a couple of more fights just to see where exactly I am. I want to mature and be ready for that world title shot but I believe that 2022 I will be world champion.

IM: Let’s also talk about how you started boxing.

OC: Well I was born in the USA moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 8.  I was always in love with baseball I played it and watched it all the time.  When I was 14 years old a friend of mine mentioned boxing so I began going to a boxing gym and within a month of training I got my first fight.  I won that first fight and from there on I began to love boxing. I represented Team Puerto Rico for 5 years.  I was still in school with a little time left to finish but I fell in love with boxing so I began boxing full time.

IM: Is there any boxer who you looked up to prior to becoming a fighter?

OC: Well my family and I have always enjoyed watching boxing.  If there’s one boxer I looked up to it has to be Vasily Lomanchenko! I love his style and even wanted to copy his style. I want to accomplish what he’s done.  Lomanchenko is a two-time gold medalist. I also admire Hector “Macho” Camacho. His style of fighting was amazing to see and he’s an idol for many Puerto Ricans!

IM: Talk to us about your trainer Juan De Leon.

OC: Juan De Leon is my brother!  Juan knows you very well Ivan!  I met Juan at one of my fights.  A friend of mine named Caraballo mentioned Juan to me.  I thought about it and decided to sign with Juan but Juan did not want to jump right into things.  We eventually agree on working together, he now cooks for me and trains me. We have a close relationship so much so that Juan is now my manager. 

IM: How about your promoter, Miguel Cotto?

OC: Well we signed with Miguel Cotto Promotions because we have good chemistry with everyone there.  They are guiding me in the right direction, fast but smart. Not always the way we want but making the right moves. 

IM: The question I always get asked is when is the next star coming out of Puerto Rico? Maybe it’s you?

OC: Puerto Rico boxing has suffered a lot, I am not sure why.  Many people blame the trainers. Others blame the promoters. Really, they don’t know who to blame.  It takes time for the new generation to rise like Xander Zayas and Edgar Berlanga.  We have lots of fighters who are slowly moving up, it’s all about being disciplined.  Many young fighters lack discipline, but boxing is all about being disciplined.  I feel that it’s my time, it’s my turn to do what Ivan Calderon and Miguel Cotto did. 

IM: Do you feel that it’s too much pressure with boxing fans saying well this young kid is going to be like Cotto and look that guy is going to do what Felix Trinidad did?

OC: Well some fighters feel pressured, but I don’t let none of that get to me.  I do everything for my team and my family.  I do everything I do for Puerto Rico.  I am focused on what I am doing, on winning I don’t look at what others want me to be.  I pay attention to the positive ones, I do everything for my family the ones who motivate me.  Too many fighters let the pressure get to them and they fail.

IM: Talk to us about training camp.

OC: We are having a super training camp, we are very focused.  I have 6 months of working hard.  I feel ready physically and mentally.  I just need to lose a few pounds, we have a few weeks left of training. I am not having turkey on Thanksgiving, but that’s okay. I will have pig roast for Christmas!

IM: That’s it just like legendary salsa singer from Puerto Rico Tito Rojas, may he rest in peace, had last Christmas while doing his final concert.

OC: That’s correct Tito Rojas sang lots of songs that night.

IM: It breaks my heart to know that Tito Rojas is no longer with us.  I am forever a fan of his.

OC: I also enjoy listening to him. Tito Rojas salsa is good for training!

IM: Any final words?

OC: Thanks to Tito Acosta and Omar Rosario for your support as always.  I’ll keep you posted.  I want to thank my entire team, my family everyone who continues to support me.  Thanks Ivan for your time.