Interview: Kermit “The Killer” Cintron

24.03.04 – By Keith Terceira – Kermit Cintron (22-0 20Ko’s) will take on Elio Ortiz (25-6, 19KO’s) on May 1st at Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City. Though he started boxing at an early age Kermit did not compete in the amateurs until age 19. Cintron first concentrated on wrestling in high school getting ranked as high as 10th in the United States in his freshman year of college. His expertise in grappling earned him full scholarship offers from both Wisconsin and Ohio. He chose to remain close to home and wrestled at Thaddeus Stevens College. When the wrestling program was discontinued in 1999 he began boxing and working with trainer Marshall Kaufmann. Cintron won the Golden Gloves in Pennsylvania as a novice in 1999.

In five short years Kermit has become a force in the welterweight division. Kermit is currently ranked #6 by the IBF.

Keith: How is your training coming Kermit, for your bout with Elio Ortiz

Cintron: Training, just training as hard as I can. Trying to get ready for Ortiz. Working on straight shots and working on my angles.

Keith: I saw your fight with Jesus Valverde, how are your hands doing?

Cintron: Valverde was pretty tough and it didn’t help that I hurt my hand in the first couple of rounds. Actually my hand is fine right now though. The last couple of fights, I had no problem with it, even in training camp I had no problems. It’s been great.

Keith: Do you feel El Chingo is going to give you a test?

Cintron: Definitely, it’s time for me to step it up a little more.

Keith: Do you feel that you have to take him out early to compete with how Teddy Reid handled Elio?

Cintron: No, not at all, as long as I get my win. That is the most important thing. I need to use my speed and my skills.

Keith: What are your thoughts on Elio as a fighter?

Cintron: Ortiz is a durable fighter with a lot of experience. He has been in with some good guys so it should be a good experience for me. He was a ranked fighter before and did beat Ray Oliveira.

Keith: Kermit where did you fight your amateur career at?

Cintron: Half in Reading Pa. And half in Lancaster Pa.

Keith: Who would you consider your toughest opponent to date?

Cintron: My toughest opponent to date has to be Hicklet Lau.

Keith: How did you feel about the Spinks – Mayorga Bout?

Cintron: I called Spinks to win the fight, based on his skill and speed.

Keith: Who would you like to fight for a belt if you had a choice?

Cintron: What I have read on the web, both Margarito and Forrest are going up in weight class. I would love to fight Margarito but he is up in weight now, though going up and coming down sometimes is based on the money offered.

Keith: When do you feel you will be ready for a title shot?

Cintron: I’m hoping by the end of this year. That would be nice.

Keith: You where born in Puerto Rico correct Kermit? Have you thought about fighting there?

Cintron: I would love to fight in Puerto Rico if I had the opportunity, I still have family there. I has been a dream of mine to fight there.

Keith: What got you started in Boxing, Kermit?

Cintron: I have been boxing since I was a little kid. My uncle was a professional boxer himself. We would go to the basement or go to the PAL. He would teach us some stuff. It was the four of us, my two brothers and my cousin. My uncle didn’t think I and the heart for boxing. I ended up the best fighter of the four. I got serious about it when I was nineteen and started competing.

Keith: Do your brothers still box?

Cintron: My little brother is in the Golden Gloves just now. It’s pretty cool, its like somebody following in my footsteps.

Keith: Do you work in his corner for his fights?

Cintron: Once in a while I do, not all the time though.

Keith: Does he blame you if he loses, when you are in his corner? (laugh)

Cintron: (laugh) No, No, He don’t blame it on me. (laugh)

Keith: Who were your heroes in Boxing growing up?

Cintron: Roy Jones Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya

Keith: That is going to make Roy Jones Jr and Oscar feel extremely old you know?

Cintron: (laugh) I also watched Sugar Ray Leonard, Duran, and Hagler. (laugh)

Keith: I want to thank you for taking time with us today and letting fans get to know a bit more about you.

Cintron: Thank you for having me and doing this Interview.

Cintron is a man of few words but mighty actions. This outstanding athlete has made an impact in only five short years and I feel will be around the top of the welterweight division for many years. If dedication indicates champions look for Cintron to wear the crown someday in the not to distance future.

KeithTerceira@aol.com