Justin Hackman: Congratulations last week's victory over featherweight Luis Lebron in Puerto Rico. Can you tell us all about it? Bryan Chevalier: First, I must thank my team.  They have worked out a great career plan for me under Miguel Cotto Promotions, and I’ve executed as a fighter.  We just won a [regional] title against a tough and previously undefeated fighter in Luis Lebron (16-1-1, 9 KOs) and nearly swept all ten rounds.  It was an unbelievable feeling to perform as I did, at the highest stage of my career so far. 

 

JH: In 2017 you faced a bit of a setback as you were stopped in the second round against Alcides Santiago who was 5-2 at the time.  Since then, you have gone 5-0 with 2 KOs.  How have you grown and matured as a fighter following that loss? 

 

BC: I’m a strong puncher, and an aggressive fighter.  I was used to dominating guys with this style.  But Santiago was smart and he caught me with a solid counter punch that put me down.  I got up, but all due respect to the referee, he felt it needed to be stopped at that point.  I learned how to be a smarter fighter with patience.  I can use all my tools, not just my power.  That was the perfect learning experience for me, and perhaps exactly what I needed.  And all credit to Miguel Cotto Promotions, they stuck by me and supported me in that loss, and they knew I would bounce back.

 

JH: How much of your potential do you think you’ve reached at this point, and how good to you think you can be?

 

BC: It’s a long road ahead.  I have not yet reached my potential; it’s still a long climb to the top.  My goal is to of course be a world champion, and I know I’m on the right track right now.  I’m ready for anyone.  I was ready to jump in and face Can XU when he was looking for an opponent on short notice (editor’s note: Can Xu was briefly left without an opponent ahead of his January 26th, 2019 WBA Featherweight title fight).  Our team offered it to him, and they turned us down in order to face Jesus Rojas who was 26-2-2 at the time with 19 KOs.  That gave me a lot of confidence right there.  I won’t turn down any challenge.  I’m willing and ready to fight anyone.

 

JH: Who are some of the fighters that you’ve looked up to as a young boxer?

 

BC: Well of course the great Puerto Rican champions: Tito Trinidad, Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon.  Certainly the great Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.  My all time favorite fighter though is the great Manny Pacquiao.  The way he came up from a lighter weight to dominate guys that were big welterweights was just unprecedented.  He is one of the best of all time, and my favorite fighter.

 

JH: Closing thoughts?  (Question directed to Bryan’s manager and translator, Ricardo Figueroa)

 

Ricardo Figueroa: I’m so proud of Bryan.  He grew up in a very bad neighborhood.  He has such tremendous heart, and he has risen above all that. I’ve known Bryan since he was a child.  And today we can say everything has been executed to perfection, and I’m so proud of him for that