Boxingtalk caught up with contender champion, and middleweight contender, Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora.  Sergio informs us that he will return to the ring on August 3rd, on ESPN Friday Night Fights against rugged contender Raymond Joval.  Joval is coming off an impressive UD over middleweight Willie Gibbs.  Mora tells Boxingtalk that after seeing Jermain Taylor's fight against Cory Spinks, he regrets turning that fight down, but maintains that it just wasn't meant to be.  Read on to see what else the Contender Season One Champ had to say.


BC - What's good Sergio?

SM - Doing great, finally cracked the top ten and I am proud of that.

BC - Let's talk about that top ten ranking.

SM - I am proud of that, but being inactive is really pissing me off but it's by choice, obviously I turned down the Taylor fight.  After seeing Jermain fight Spinks I really regret turning that fight down, but still I just don't think it was meant to be.  I will be going back into the ring on August 3rd, on ESPN against Raymond Joval for a minor title.

BC - You said that you regret not taking the Taylor fight, but maintain that it just wasn't meant to be.  Which of the two outweighs the other?

SM - I think that the fact that I turned down the fight.  I can beat him, it was just the event in Memphis was uneventful.  They promised me Vegas, and then they promised me Los Angeles, and at the last moment, they said Memphis.  I agreed to all of the previous venues, Los Angeles, Oakland, Miami, New York, and at the last minute they say Memphis, so I said no.

BC - Ok, so let's move on.  You mentioned that you're pissed off by the inactivity. Peter Manfredo Jr had his shot at Calzaghe, and he's keeping busy, Alfonso Gomez is getting a crack at Gatti.  You're the contender champion, so what's the deal with that?

SM - Well I am my own manager, so I can't be pissed at anyone else.  It can't get under my skin, because I am making the decisions.  When I see these guys doing their thing, I get anxious.  Peter had to go to Whales to fight, he had 3 or 4 losses, and Alfonso needs his fight against Gatti.  I am undefeated, I am the guy that can win a world title, I am a real contender, so I have to manage my career, and let nature take it's course, and we'll see.

BC - Did you see the Edison Miranda vs Kelly Pavlik fight?

SM - Unbelievable fight, I am so proud of Kelly Pavlik.  Kelly did his thing, he stole the show, he's the number 1 contender, and he's the one to beat.  I knew Miranda was overrated, but look Pavlik did what he had to do.

BC - So how about a fight with you and Kelly Pavlik down the road, do you see that as a possibility?

SM - Listen, of course he is on my radar.   Taylor isn't fighting Pavlik, I think he will vacate his title and move up to fight Roy Jones or Calzaghe and at that point, I will go after Pavlik and fight him for the vacant title.

BC - So you're predicting that Taylor will vacate his title to fight Calzaghe?

SM - That fight isn't happening, Taylor wont fight Pavlik.  I think he's moving up to fight either Jones, or Calzaghe.

BC - Jermain's last few opponents were against Hopkins (twice) Winky Wright, Ouma, and Spinks.  These types of opponents will make any champion look average, do you agree with that?

SM - Yes, I agree with that.  I think Taylor has taken a lot of criticism.  Jermain is the champion, and you don't disrespect the champion.  When you look at Jermain's track record, who the hell is going to look good against those guys?  But I don't think he will fight Kelly Pavlik.

BC - You're a come forward fighter, a fight with you and Pavlik would be interesting.

SM - I see it as a great fight, he's a powerful guy and he has bad intentions on his punches. With that said, he's slow and I am fast, and I can throw combinations and move.  I see myself doing well against him, I like that match-up.

BC - Before any of that can happen, you have to get past Joval in August.  What do you know about him?

SM - Well he's a durable guy, he fought big names.  He fought Fernando Vargas, and I got to see him there.  He's a legitimate guy, and he's had minor belts.  I think he's a good solid test for me, and a legitimate middleweight.

BC - When can we see you in a major title fight?

SM - Guaranteed by next year.  I don't know why but I think destiny is holding me back for a reason, I can feel it in my bones.  I don't know why, but I just feel it.

BC - Your old contender mate Alfonso Gomez has a big fight coming up against Arturro Gatti, what is your prediction?

SM - I think Alfonso is going to pull that out, I think Alfonso is stronger than people think.  It's going to be a good fight, I am really looking forward to it.

M

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