On August 1st, Star Boxing’s welterweight prospect Raymond “Tito” Serrano (9-0, 5KO) will look to stay undefeated when he takes on Jessie Davis (11-13, 8KO) on the undercard of the Delvin Rodriguez vs. Issac Hlatswahyo matchup for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship of the World. Rodriguez vs. Hlatshwayo will be a rematch of their highly entertaining draw that took place back in November of last year. The Star Boxing promoted card will be held at the beautiful Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT.
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Serrano recently took time out of his busy training schedule to talk about his career, and his upcoming fight on the 1st.
Q: Raymond how has everything been leading up to this fight?
RS: Everything has been great. I have been in the gym training for the last five months, so I know I am going to be in great shape come fight night. This is going to be my second fight in a row at the Mohegan Sun and I’m really looking forward to putting on another good performance for all those in attendance.
Q: Your last fight was March 6th on ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights”. It was your first co- feature fight, and it was also the first time you were on national TV. What did you take away from the fight, and were you happy with your performance?
RS: Yes, I was very happy with my performance. I know that I made a couple mistakes, but I use every fight as a learning experience, so that I don’t make those same mistakes in the future.
Q: What mistakes do you think you made?
RS: Well it was my first fight on national TV and I had the guy down in the first and after that I got a little bit over anxious trying to knock him out. After the first though I calmed down and started boxing again and I won the fight easily, so overall I think it was a good performance.
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Q: What is your game plan going into this fight?
RS: To be honest, I don’t know much about my opponent. I hear he is tough so we will see. I know though that as long as I stick to my game plan, and do the things I have been working on in training that there is no doubt I will come out victorious.
Q: You were one of the lead sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao as he prepared to face Ricky Hatton, what was that like for you?
RS: That was a dream come true for me. To have the opportunity to be in the same ring with the number one pound for pound in the world, well it just doesn’t get much better then that. I learned a lot from working with Manny. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, especially at such an early stage in my career. I believe that I am going back out to prepare him for his fight with Cotto and I am really looking forward to it.
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Q: You are still very young, just 20-years-old. What kind of timeline do you have for yourself in your career?
RS: Well I think Joe (Serrano’s promoter is Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing) has moved me along well. Like you said I am still young, but I am also very hungry. I want to continue to stay busy and continue to keep moving up the ranks in the welterweight division. I feel that in another two years I will be ready to take on any of the big names in the division, and hopefully get the opportunity to fight for a world championship.
Q: When did you start working with trainer Danny Davis?
RS: I started working with Danny after my second fight as pro.
Q: What has Danny changed, or improved on in your game?
RS: Danny has improved a lot of things in my game. He has a lot of experience working with world class fighters, so when he tells me things, I listen to them. He has made me a much better fighter.
One of my favorite things about working with Danny is the work we do on the pads. I believe his pad work is second to none. It has really improved the combinations I throw. I mean anyone who has done the pads for Bernard Hopkins is good enough for me (laughs Serrano).
Q: Other then becoming champion of the world, do you have any other aspirations you want to fulfill in your career in boxing?
RS: I want to have a major fight in my native country of Puerto Rico. I fought there when I was an amateur but not yet as a pro. The atmosphere over there is absolutely crazy! There is nothing like Puerto Rican fans, I truly believe they are the best boxing fans in the world.
Q: Anything you would like to say in closing?
RS: I want to thank all my fans who have continued to show their support for me throughout my career. I want to encourage everyone to be there Saturday August 1st, as I am going to put on another great performance that no one will want to miss.
Mohegan
Tickets are priced at $125, $75, $45 and $30 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com or purchase tickets by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office. Star is currently holding choice seats for prime customers. To find out more information about this terrific offer or to purchase these exclusive tickets please call Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000.