Venturing six pounds north to fight in the middleweight division, Marco Antonio Rubio is now able to concentrate more on his power instead of struggling to make weight.  He proved that when he outboxed Erik Rafael Esquivel before finishing him off in the ninth round last week to capture the Mexican middleweight title.  Boxingtalk caught up with Rubio to get his thoughts on his performance, how fighting at 160 pounds has improved his fight skills, and what his future is as a defending domestic champion.

Boxingtalk:  Marco, congratulations on your win last week against Eric Rafael Esquivel.  What would you rate your performance?

Marco Antonio Rubio:  First off Darren, thank you for the opportunity for this interview on BoxingTalk.  I’ve been congratulated many times over and it is nice to be back on a winning streak.  I felt that I used my head and boxing knowledge to get this win instead of going for a first round knockout.

Boxingtalk:  Were you surprised that you were able to stop him?

Marco Antonio Rubio:  I wasn’t surprised that I knocked him out, but I think Esquivel was littlie more surprised that he got knocked out because he came in thinking he’d knock me out.  I think I could have knocked him out a few rounds earlier, but I had my stamina, and I was confident that I could go a few more rounds to get rid my ring rust and get a couple round more in.

Boxingtalk:  With most of your wins coming by way of knockout, how would you rate your power in the middle weight division?

Marco Antonio Rubio:  I feel I’m a lot stronger at this weight class.  I go into the weigh-ins now at weight or maybe even a pound under.  It’s not like before when I had to deplete my body to fight at 154.  I feel a lot more confident at middleweight.

Boxingtalk:  What other advantages do you feel you have fighting at middleweight rather than at junior middleweight?

Marco Antonio Rubio:  I think I’m coming in to this fight more powerful and more confident then before.  I believe my power is on par with the top fighters in the middleweight division, since the biggest problem I had fighting at 154 was making weight and coming in feeling depleted.

Boxingtalk:  What is your plan now that you hold the Mexican middleweight title?

Marco Antonio Rubio:  My initial strategy is to gain another national title in Mexico.  I want to start my journey holding the title in Mexico, then jump up to the US and International level making my way of the ranks to fight for a major world title.

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