By Carlos "Stiff-jab" Kalinchuk

10.09 - The last time fight fans saw Paulie Ayala 34-2 (12 KO’s) was in his public drowning at the hands (or fists) of Erik "El Terrible" Morales. Although he managed to last 12 rounds, it was tough to watch the beating he absorbed. In spite of the Morales attack, Ayala fought on while many others would have quit on their stools long before the sound of the bell in round 12.

Since then, Paulie has been out of site until now. He recently showed up in support of his friend, Austin Texas’ Jesus "El Matador" Chavez in his title winning fight against Thailand’s Sirmongkol Singmanasak. Read what he had to say about his upcoming fight in October, his answer regarding recent rumors of his impending retirement, and whom he’d like to fight next.

Eastside Boxing: Is there any timetable that you have for when you will be returning to the ring?

Paulie Ayala: Well we’re trying to get busy but by the end of October I should be fighting back in the Dallas Fort Worth Area. It’ll maybe be my last fight at home, but at least it will get the ring rust off and then we’ll see what we can do for 2004.

Eastside Boxing: After your fight with Morales, a lot of people in the media started talking retirement. Perhaps it was because you were not heard from. How true is that?

Paulie Ayala: It’s totally false! Just because I haven’t been active, doesn’t mean Paulie hasn’t been active in the Gym. It was more basically trying to figure out what I was going to do with it (the career) and what was more lucrative for Paulie and plus I have the World Title at Jr. Feather and I thought that was the best situation at the time.

Eastside Boxing: Moving up to fight Morales seemed to be a good move for you as far as getting more notoriety and more high profiled fights. What are you planning to do to get back into the publics eye to be a fighter fans want to see again?

Paulie Ayala: Well, we still have some good names at Jr. Feather like Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Larios. I mean those are the names I would like to look out for in 2004. Those are all possible fights that can be made. Even with Top Rank having a lot of Featherweights like Juan Manuel Marquez, there’s a lot of opportunity at both different weight divisions.

Eastside Boxing: Will this be the longest period of inactivity in your career?

Paulie Ayala: Ummm…at this point yes because it’s coming over 9 months now and usually about that time is when I’m getting ready for a fight. With this next fight, it’s just getting all the ring rust off and then focus on another World Title Fight.

Eastside Boxing: Can we expect that fight in October to be a 10 rounder?

Paulie Ayala: Yes a ten rounder.

Eastside Boxing: Have any names been mentioned as of yet?

Paulie Ayala: No names have been mentioned. Top Rank is the one who does all of that. I just get ready for them. It doesn’t matter. If it’s Morales or Barrera or whoever (Laughs) as long as everything works out all right then I’m willing to fight and everything else just falls in place.

Eastside Boxing: It seems that the Pacquiao and Barrera fight is a done deal, signed and delivered. Who’s the next big name out there that you’d like to fight?

Paulie Ayala: I’d like to fight Wayne McCollough, the guys still around. Danny Romero talks a lot and I’ll let him fight for my title (smiles). Oscar Larios has been good but he’s been active in Japan a lot and really right now the next thing would be to make a defense with McCollough 122 and maybe there might be some opportunities at 126.

Eastside Boxing: Have you had words with Danny Romero in the past? Where did that comment about Danny stem from?

Paulie Ayala: YEAH, HE ALWAYS TALKS WHEN I’M NOT AROUND so I’m like okay, put up or shut up (smiles) and that’s the bottom line.

Eastside Boxing: Is there anything you want to tell your fans out there that miss you and want to see you in the ring?

Paulie Ayala: Keep an eye out for me in October and if you’re local, it’s a great opportunity to see my last fight here at home. Look for me in 2004 to do some more big things because it’s not over with Paulie, just because you haven’t heard about me because I’ve been low key. I’ve always been a low-key type of guy. I’m not trying to be in the medias eye anyway and cause commotion and chaos outside, so it’s always been inside the ring where I try to do my talking.

Eastside Boxing: Thanks for your time Paulie.

Paulie Ayala: Thank you.

Carlos "Stiff-jab" Kalinchuk
www.EastsideBoxing.com