By Matt Yanofsky: I had the opportunity to sit down with junior welterweight prospect and crowd pleaser Nick Casal 16-2 (12 KO’s). Casal hopes to get back in the win column this Saturday on the Israel Vazquez Rafael Marquez undercard. Casal, who fell after short in two of his last three fights, will be taking on James Wayka.
MY: Nick what’s up? In your last fight you fell short in a thriller with Antonio Demarco which was televised on Showtime. Reflect back on that fight
NC: I thought it was a close fight and after watching it on tape I felt it went my way or it was a draw. The cut on my nose and the blood may have hurt me on the scorecards, but the fight definitely didn’t hurt my marketability since it was such a good fight.
MY: Your opponent tomorrow is James Wayka. Wayka has fought recently at junior middleweight and I understand your meeting him at a catch weight of 143 lbs. Are you worried that he may miss weight and that even if he makes weight, he will be much bigger then you on fight night?
NC: I am not too worried about it because I fought at 156 lbs in the amateurs. As long as he comes close to making the weight it’s cool with me.
MY: You have been out of the ring for six months since your war with Demarco. With extra time between bouts, have you made any changes in your training if so, what did you change?
NC: I work on a lot more defense now slipping, bobbing and weaving. I have also improved on my body punching, while tuning up on everything else.
MY: Your last 9 fights have been fought at 137 lbs or below and on Saturday you will be competing at 143 lbs. Did you have trouble making 135 or are you moving up because it is not a major fight in addition to compensating your naturally bigger opponent?
ND: It’s really a little bit of both but making 135 has gotten harder. My knockout ratio was better when I fought at 140 earlier in my career plus Im stronger so I’ll most likely stay at 140.
MY: If you are victorious, what is your plan for the future?
ND: Hopefully I can win a regional title by the end of the year and in 2009 my goal is to win a world title at junior welterweight.
MY: You are fighting on the undercard of what may produce the fight of the year in the main event. Does being put on a big card mean anything to you?
ND: It does since I am used to fighting on the Showbox cards. This means a lot to be since there will be a big crowd and plenty of people are going to be watching.
MY: Who are you picking to win in the main event, Vazquez or Marquez?
ND: I’ll go with Vazquez since I think he is a better fighter and has the confidence riding off his last victory.
MY: Nick, best of luck Saturday! What do you have to say in closing to your fans and the readers out there?
ND: Thanks to all my fans that have supported me during my career. 2008 will be a much better year and hopefully my year to shine!