Greg Leon: Congrats on Saturday's unanimous victory over James Gordon Smith (13-3). Can you give us some thoughts on your performance? JaRico O'Quinn: "I feel like it was a great performance by both of us. For me, I feel like it was kind of like the Shawn Porter and Errol Spence fight. I feel like he came in there to work ugly and pressured all night. He made me dig down deep for it and I was able to drop him the way Spence did and he got up like Porter did, but I stayed sharp and composed and continued to let my shots good and used his style to my advantage. I was able to land my shots up the middle and that's what I dropped him with, an uppercut. He came in with a good plan and our styles meshed up and I won the fight unanimously."

 

GL: Do you think the fight was as close as the judges had it?

 

JO: "I don't think he should have gotten so many rounds, but I think maybe I could have used my angles a little bit more during the fight, but I feel like I won more than six rounds for sure."

 

GL: Do you feel he was extra determined coming into this fight because it was an all-Detroit bout?

 

JO: "Probably. I feel like he did some things based on his previous experiences that have made him a better fighter. He's came into the fight with more experience than me and tried to use it to his advantage."

 

GL: Is there any early indication as to when your next fight might take place?

 

JO: "No. I haven't talked to my promoter [Dmitriy Salita] yet, but I know he's going to want to get me in there as soon as possible. I'd like to get another one in before the end of the year, but right now I'm going to get a little rest after a fourteen week camp. It's been a lot on my body, but once I'm rested a bit I'll be ready to come right back against whoever my promoter wants me to fight."

 

GL: Does the next one have to be on TV or what?

 

JO: "Yes. It only makes sense. I'm lined up for that right now, I want to keep fighting against guys who are ranked above me and go after the big WBO [115-pound] title. I'm going to continue to adapt and rise to the occasion like I did yesterday and climb to the top."

 

GL: Closing thoughts for the fans.

 

JO: "This win was a great learning experience that made me dig down deep, I want to let everyone know I'm coming and I'm only going to get better! 2020 is going to be my year."