Interview and Photo by Ricardo Conde – WBA featherweight champion “The Dragon” Chris John (42-0-2, 22KOs), of Indonesia, will face Rocky Juarez (28-4-1, 20KOs) in a rematch on June 27th at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. Their first bout, on February 28th, ended in a controversial draw. John vs. Juarez, which will be shown live on HBO B.A.D. (Boxing After Dark) and being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, will be the co-feature to Victor Ortiz (24-1-1, 19KOs) vs. Marcos Maidana (25-1, 24 KOs) for the interim WBA junior welterweight title.
We had a moment to sit down and talk to Chris John as he prepares for his rematch with Rocky Juarez, here’s what he had to say:
Q: How is training camp going and who have you been sparring with to help you prepare for your rematch with Juarez?
A: Training camp is going very good; we have Femmy and Mikey Garcia helping me with sparring and I want to thank them for their help.
Q: Are you doing anything different in this training camp that you did or didn’t do last time?
A: Yes, a little bit of things we’re doing different, we have a different strategy on how to fight with Rocky this time.
Let’s talk a little bit about your last fight.
Q: In your last outing your fight with Juarez ended in a controversial draw, do you think you won that fight?
A: Yes, I believe I won the fight. I think I won but I didn’t get the decision.
Q: Was he the best opponent you have faced to date and what’s your opinion of him as a fighter?
A: He is one of the best opponents, he’s tough, he’s got good technique and he had a very good amateur career.
Q: What kind of statement are you looking to make in your rematch with Rocky Juarez, are you looking to knock him out?
A: I’m just going to try really hard, I don’t want to lose. I want a proper win.
Q: What is your opinion of the current featherweight division?
A: There are many tough fighters, many young good fighters like Gamboa and it’s a very good division to be in.
Q: What are some of your future goals, would like a unification bout with any of the other champions, Steven Luevano, Cristobal Cruz or Takahiro Aoh?
A: We don’t have any plans yet and I’ll leave that up to my matchmaker Sampson, I’m sure he’s thinking about that, Golden Boy Promotions as well, I’m sure their all thinking about my future plans.
Q: In an interview, back in 2008, you said you will fight another 5 or 6 fights and retire as the best featherweight that the world has ever seen, is that still your plan?
A: Yes, that’s still the plan but we’ll see how things go.
Q: Is there anything you would like to tell your fans?
A: Yes, thank you very much for everything. I’m trying really hard in this preparation and I’m to give everyone a good fight on the 27th and wish me luck and come watch us on June 27th.
Note from Ricardo Conde (Thank you to Chris John and his trainer Craig Christian and Team Chris John for their time.)
Chris John Training Update
By Harry Summers – Having only landed in Los Angeles late last night, I was eagerly anticipating the WBA Featherweight Champion, Chris “The Dragon” John in action to see if the hype surrounding his training camp form was true. Chris John is in fantastic condition; the self confessed gym freak looks like he’s in peak fitness and is stronger and more explosive than ever. Chris John will have his rematch with Rocky Juarez June 27th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, after their controversial draw in February of this year.
Chris John went 10 rounds with two sparring partners, hurting them both with fast, crisp combinations. The first was a well skilled Mexican 126 lbs and the second was a nuggetty young Mexican, 130 lbs with both fighters combined record 56- 6, with 37 KO’s. Chris breezed through the 10 rounds while the two were left sucking wind
Rocky Juarez will be in for a long night come June 27, that’s if he’s there come the championship rounds.