Houston is well known throughout the boxing world to house some of the best fighters in the sport today, fighters such as Juan Diaz, Rocky Juarez and Omar Henry as the list continues to grow every year.

This year is certainly no different as we found out when introduced by our great friend Jay John's to a young amateur star who is sure to be another that sets the world alight in the future of Boxing.

The fighter in question is a seventeen year old fighter named Antonio Capulin who throughout his time in the amateurs was able to rack up over seventy wins, winning many titles along the way, such as being a three time regional silver gloves winner, a two time Junior Olympic title winner and a two time national summer boys classics winner.

trained and managed by the best in the business, Antonio has the backing and of course the skills to make a BIG splash within the next few years. We caught up with the fighter last week where he was gracious enough to give us the Interview you are about to read, So please sit back, enjoy and dont forget the name..... Antonio Capulin.

 

FAVOURITES:
CAR
Cadillac XLR
MOVIE
Passion of the Christ
FOOD
Anything
MUSIC
Rock and Heavy Metal
Artists
System of the Down
ALLTIME FIGHTER
Dont have one
ALLTIME FIGHT
Barrera v Morales Trilogy

Okay Antonio, Can I start at the beginning and can you tell us how you got started in the sport of boxing?

I used to play soccer; the game that you call football in Europe; and my soccer coach Joel Perez was a boxer. My dad was interested in what he was hearing from coach Perez and took me and my brother to Prince’s Gym here in Houston.

Can you tell us what age you made your amateur debut and can you remember your first feelings when stepping into the ring?

I made my amateur debut at the age of eleven. I can remember being extremely nervous and at the same time excited.

To be honest I have limited knowledge of your amateur background so throughout this time can you tell us what titles / trophies or medals did you manage to capture and let us know which one stands out in your memory as your proudest moment?

I have three titles, and have won numerous medals and trophies. My proudest moments are when I won the Best Bout trophies on three occasions. It let me know that my hard work was appreciated by the contests organizers and the crowd.

In your amateur days, who would you say is the fighter that gave you the most difficulty and could you tell us why?

A guy by the name of Bryan Nichols has been the most difficult. He beat me three times. After each lost I feel that I progressed as a fighter and I actually honestly felt that I won the third bout with him.

When you left the amateur ranks what did your final record stand at?

At about 70-14.

For the fight fans that are yet to see you fight can you please describe your fighting style?

I try to fight in a rhythm; hitting my opponent without getting hit.

It is clear to see that you are a fighter with a lot of skill who has a great future in the sport, what would you say at the moment are your strengths and weaknesses?

I believe my strength is my dedication in the gym, my weakness is my mom.

Every fighter has a best punch, what would you say is your favourite shot?

My left hook to the body, I aim to throw it more in the pro ranks.

 

What are the biggest changes have you had to make in entering the professional ranks?

Slowing the pace down a bit, keeping my hands up and harder training.

You last fought on July 15 th  which was your professional debut. In that fight you needed just one round to knockout Thomas Almeida, Can you talk us through that fight and the lead up to the fights finish?

Almieda threw a couple of lazy jabs and I waited patiently for him to jab again. When it came I stepped in with a little head movement, started at the bottom; finished at the top.

Athough it is obviously still early in your career, from the footage I have witnessed, you look an incredible talent but can I ask how you stay grounded when you start to receive all this praise?

I learned to take compliments and criticism in stride. I believe that you can never do enough to get better.

 

The Super Featherweight division is a brilliant place to fight at the moment with many great fighters, do you intend on staying at the weight class or see yourself in maybe the Lightweight division at some point?

I believe that I will be able to compete in a few divisions throughout my career. I can make the featherweight division if needed now and I am still a young and maturing young man. Who knows which will be my last division.

Roman Martinez, Takashi Uchiyama, Jorge Solis, Vitali Tajbert and many other great fighters are fighting in the division at the moment, who do you think is number one within the weight class at the moment and why?

It’s hard to say. All of the above mentioned fighters are great fighters. They are all true champions.

In most of my Interviews I ask a fighter to give a brief description on a set of fighters from their weight class, If this is okay Antonio can you give your opinion on each of the following

  • Chris John - .
  • Celestino Caballero
  • Rafael Marquez -  
  • Yuriorkis Gamboa -

I respect all of these fighters and can only hope to mentioned among them one day

 

I always like to get a professional’s view on the Pound 4 Pound rankings so I am asking you the same question, Do you think that Manny Pacquiao still sits at number one or do you think that Floyd Mayweather stays in that position?

I have to give the slight edge to Pacquiao.

 

Bob Arum of Top Rank recently stated the fact that FloydMayweather Jr has missed the deadline in negotiating a deal with Manny Pacquiao, Do you still think that fight will ever happen? And where do you think both men go from here?

I hope that they can make the fight, but I don’t think that it will ever happen.

 

It’s obviously early in your career but in ten / fifteen years time what would be your dream outcome for your career? E.g. Multiple world champions, pound 4 pound star a multi weight world champion?

I want to be a multi-weight Champion. More important than anything I would like to give the people something to see and be excited about.  

What are your plans for the rest of 2010?  

To keep growing as a professional, fight 3-4 times and be undefeated.

On leaving is there anything you would like to say to the readers of TopClassBoxing and the fight fans around the world?

Thank you Top Class, keep up the good work. I hope to see you all very soon.

 

 

Interview conducted by: Paul Daley

If you are involved in boxing in some way and have an interest in doing an Interview with us at TopClassBoxing. Please email me your name and email address to Paul@TopClassBoxing.co.uk.

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Picture courtesy of: Undefeated Magazine.