After coming back from the 45th annual WBC Convention that was held in Manila, Philippines, a group of reporters stayed up late and spent the night in Narita, Japan. From there, they were able to interview champions Jorge Linares and Edwin Valero, who belong to the same boxing group, Teiken Promotions, led by famous promoter Akihiko Honda..
Jorge Linares, 24-0 (15), will defend his World Boxing Council Featherweight world title, and Edwin Valero, 22-0 (22), will defend his WBA Super Featherweight world title in the same card, on December 15, in Cancun, Mexico, a great card that also includes a world eliminatory, a rematch between former world champion Rudy Lopez and the boxer who knocked him out, Naoki Matsuda.
Question: Jorge and Edwin, it is said that both of you, even though you are Venezuelan, and belong to the same boxing group, Teiken Promotions, have never been in the ring together to face each other, is that true? What are your opinions on this?
Jorge Linares: “Exactly, we have never thrown blows at each other. Edwin on his own, has performed most of his career in the U.S.A. and Venezuela; Me, I have done it in Japan and Venezuela, and we have not been at the gym at the same time. I would like to exchange some blows with him to see what happens, (laughter)…I do not believe we will get to fight some day, he is like a brother to me, a great friend, but you never know, the history of boxing points out there have been fights between boxers who are close friends, fate will let us know.”
Edwin Valero: “For many years we were never at the gym at the same time, lately, we have spent more time together over there, however we are both world champions. Besides he is younger than me, and it has not been necessary, as Mr. Honda has always had four or five sparring partners for each one of us to practice with. If I get paid, I will fight him or anyone else…(laughter).”
Sendai Tanaka, trainer for both boxers: “I believe they have not faced each other in the ring because Jorge does not fight southpaws, and he has not needed help from a southpaw sparring, and Edwin fights punchers, and does not need Jorge’s boxing style. To tell the truth, both are very good, they are great champions, and I would like to see their sparring, it would be like a title bout at a gym. I do hope they never fight, because if it happened, then…which corner would I be going to?”
Promociones Jose Gomez presents “Night of Champions: Iron Fists” at Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico on December 15, 2007 featuring WBA Super Featherweight Champion Edwin Valero defending against Zaid Zavaleta and WBC Featherweight Champion Jorge Linares defending against Gamaliel Diaz.