by Jody Kohn: I had the opportunity to sit down with trainer Jeff Mayweather as he prepares Celestino Caballero for his upcoming bout with Jason Litzau. This will be the first fight at 130 lbs. for Caballero who is coming off a long break after his decisive victory over Daud Yordan. Mayweather will be entering his second fight as Pelenchin’s trainer and so far it seems to have paid off for both. This is what the always candid Mayweather had to say.
JK- How relieved are you to finally have an opponent to train Pelenchin for?
JM- I am very excited for Celestino and for myself. He is going to get a chance to showcase his skills once again on HBO. He has been working extremely hard since the first time he came out here thinking he was going to fight. At least this time the hard work won’t go to waste. (note: he is referring to his time here before his recent return to Panama where he was training for an expected upcoming bout which never materialized)
JK- Where was he physically prior to the fight being agreed to?
JM- He came to camp looking really good. Unfortunately, prior to that he had been sick. But his being sick actually helped him with his weight. He came to camp this time at 140. Dropping ten lbs. is nothing for him.
JK- What do you know about Jason Litzau?
JM- He is a good boxer. Weak chin. That’s what I know most. That will be our objective to expose it.
JK- Will his similar height neutralize the advantages Pelenchin normally enjoys?
JM- I don’t think so. Celestino boxes with some guys taller than him as well as shorter. We give him all kinds of different looks. So he will be prepared.
JK- How do you expect the additional weight to affect him?
JM- To be honest it isn’t a drastic move for him. He boxes a lot of guys from 140 all the weigh up to 65. This guy happens to be a little bigger than him, but in the gym he sees guys that are bigger than him (Litzau), and probably a lot better than him too.
JK- Do you think his fulfilling a dream and fighting here in Vegas will affect his nerves since it is his biggest stage?
JM- Not at all. To be honest I think he is going to take advantage of the moment and shine bright.
JK- Does the controversy surrounding Floyd distract you at all from your training duties?
JM- No. He is my nephew. The situation of course I wish him the best in. I hope he can get himself out of it. It doesn’t affect me mentally. I can’t allow that to affect me in my job. If I did that I would be doing my fighters a disservice.
JK- Pelenchin vs. a prime Jeff Mayweather. Who wins?
JM- (laughs) He always said he would knock me out first round. (still laughing) I don’t know if he would knock me out first round. I don’t know if he would win! I might knock him out!
JK- So you are calling for a knockout?
JM- Yea! First round! (still laughing)