Ricardo Mayorga wants Cintron, Cotto or Mosley ASAP

By G. Leon

14/01/2008

Ricardo Mayorga wants Cintron, Cotto or Mosley ASAP

GL: It's been a little while since we last spoke, when can we expect you back in the ring? "Apparently they're trying to line up a fight for me with Cintron or Cotto, so I'm just waiting for Don (King) to get them to sign a contract because I'm ready."

GL: Cintron is looking for a fight, Cotto is supposed to be fighting Alfonso Gomez on April 26. Were you to land a Cintron fight, how do you think it plays out?

Ricardo Mayorga: "Cintron at 147 pounds would be a much quicker fight for me. I don't think he would be able to stand up to what I have to offer at 147 pounds for more than four rounds."

GL: Will you be able to make 147 without being weak?

RM: "Absolutely. I'm not going to have any trouble at all. I'm going to be able to get on the scales with clothes and eating something just to make it more exciting."

GL: What are your goals for 2008?

RM: "Win the title and unify all of the belts at 147, I think the fans deserve that."

GL: If you are unable to get the kind of name fight that you're looking for at 147, is making a stop at 154 to fight guys like Vernon Forrest and Cory Spinks, who you have history with in the meantime?

RM: "To be honest with you it's a business. We all know it's a business and Don isn't going to pay me big money to fight those guys. They don't have the name recognition that I'm looking for at this time and they're not the kind of fights I'm considering at this point."

GL: It might be the way you have to go if you can't get a big fight at 147, don't you think so?

RM: "I'm not ducking anybody, it's just a business. Those names aren't marquee names so I'm not looking for them. If it comes to a situation where I have to face them I would negotiate the best purse for myslef, but if I had no other options I'd fight them, but at this point that's not what I have in mind. My goal is to go down to 147 and reign again at 147."

GL: What do you think about Mayweather saying he's going to take a year off?

RM: "Floyd said what he said after I challenged him. That's his decision so be it. The only thing I ask is for the WBC to take the belt from him or make him vacate it so I can find somebody else to fight me for it. I'd fight anybody who has the balls to fight me. I'd even ask Oscar if he wants to come down to 147 and fight me for a vacant WBC welterweight title. I'd love to do that."

GL: What are you weighing right now?

RM: "171. To fight at 147, the earliest I can be ready is the end of April or early May."

GL: How do you feel about a fight with Shane Mosley at 147?

RM: "I don't think that he would pose too many problems for me. I would counter his speed with my power and I know at 147 I was a much bigger puncher and I don't think it's something he's felt. At 147 if he steps in the ring with me he could be another quick fight as well."

GL: The fight was supposed to happen before you lost to Spinks.

RM: "It would be an excellent fight at 147 and if not Oscar, me and Shane should definitely fight for the vacant title."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

RM: "Thanks for the time. Let's now see if any of these guys have the balls to fight me."


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