11.05.07 – By James Slater: Twenty-four year old southpaw, Donald Camarena is a light welterweight prospect with a record of 18-3 (9). Managed and trained by Aurelio Martinez, the editor of Inside Boxing web site, Donald goes up against the unbeaten, yet arguably untested, Timothy Bradley on a ShowBox card on June 1st. The fight with Bradley will contest the WBC Youth title at 140 pounds. Confident of victory, Camarena, who has been in with the likes of Paul Malignaggi and Herman Ngoudjo, believes 2007 will be his breakthrough year. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with both Donald and his manager Aurelio, by way of a three-way telephone interview. Here is what both men had to say.
James Slater: Firstly, Donald, how are preparations going for the Bradley fight on June 1st?
Donald Camarena: Training’s going real good. I’m training at high altitude and have been doing lots of running, lots of sparring. I’m looking forward to going ten rounds or less. I’ll do my final week of sparring in Las Vegas, I’ll get real good sparring there, too.
J.S: What do you know about Bradley, have you watched tapes of him?
D.C: I’ve watched him fight, yeah. I give him his respect. I mean, he’s nothing special, but I give him his due, he’s unbeaten. He’s got a good right hand, but it’s gonna be tough for him to land it. I can take a good shot if he does get through anyway.
J.S: You’ve been in with better fighters, do you think your experience will tell the story?
D.C: My experience will tell, but I’m not really looking at the fight like that. I’d say we’re on the same stage, you know. Or I’d even put him up a bit higher, that way I’ll train even harder for him.
J.S: You’re a southpaw, do you think that will give you an edge over him, as he is orthodox?
D.C: Maybe, but he’s had a lot of amateur fights so I’m sure he will have been in with southpaws before.
J.S: The fighters you have lost to, like Malignaggi and Ngoudjo, they are good fighters. Do you think the points losses were fair?
D.C: I think I definitely won the Ngoudjo fight. He was real strong and everything But I think I beat him. I’d love to fight him again. Herman did real good in his fight with [Jose Luis] Castillo, I think he might have won that fight.
J.S: You’re in a great weight class at light welterweight. What do you think of our guy, Ricky Hatton?
D.C: Oh, he’s a good fighter. I sparred with him for his fight with Castillo. Ricky told me I gave him some of his best work ever. I’ve also sparred with [Floyd] Mayweather. He gave me props for giving him good work, too.
J.S: As you’re a guy that’s been in with both men then, what chance would Ricky have with Floyd in your opinion?
D.C: Hatton should stay away from him! Floyd would be way too fast for him.
Aurelio Martinez: (disagreeing with his fighter slightly) If there’s anyone that can put real pressure on Mayweather, it’s Ricky Hatton. Of course, he’s got to get past Castillo first and that’s never easy.
J.S: Have you ever been down as a pro, Donald?
D.C: I’ve been down one time, but I got right back up and knocked the guy out. Tommy Aragon was the guy.
J.S: Looking to the future. Presuming you win on June 1st, would a fight at welterweight with Julio Cesar Chavez Junior interest you, could you make welterweight?
D.C: I’d kill him! Yeah, I could get to 147, but I really want to stay at 140 at the moment.
J.S: Do you have any final prediction for the Bradley fight?
D.C: My prediction is that if a KO comes it will be in the later rounds. It should be a good fight. I’m ready to go the distance if necessary though.
J.S: Do you think this could be your breakthrough year?
D.C: This is gonna be my year.
A.M: Can I just say, I’m so happy that this fight is on national television. It’s great that Donald is going to be on a big stage. He will definitely win this fight.
D.C: Also, before you wrap it up, can I just say thank you to all my camp, my family, and thank you to Aurelio.
J.S: Okay, best of luck for the 1st then. Thanks, Donald, thanks, Aurelio.