Amateurs

Okay Jessie Can I start at the beginning, Can you tell us how you first got started in the sport of boxing? I was pushed into it, by my father, at the age of 6.

So entering the gym at 6 years of age, Can you tell us at what age did you actually make your amateur debut and from that expeirience could you give us your feelings of what it felt like to step into the ring for the first time? I was only 8 years of age, and I remember feeling really nervous having my first fight in a tournament.

I have to be honest with you Jessie, I have limited knowledge of your amateur background so perhaps you could give us a brief insight into what titles / trophies or medals you managed to capture throughout this time and what would you say stands out in your memory as your proudest moment? When I was younger, every silver or golden gloves I entered I would win but as I got older I really only had one significant medal which was when I captured a bronze medal at the Jr. Olympics. I didn't really have the opportunity to fight in any of the open division tournaments because I decided to turn pro at the age of 18.

In your amateur days, who would you say is the fighter that gave you most difficulty and could you tell us why? I don't seem to recall of any specific fighter that gave me the most difficulty, but I did have many difficult fights throughout my amateur career.

So as you left the amateur ranks what did your final record look like? I had about 80 something fights. I had about 60 something wins I believe. 

80 fights, thats incredible and a great achievement in itself, For the fight fans that are yet to see you fight can you please describe your fighting style? I can be a boxer or I can be a brawler. It really depends on the type of opponent or situation i'm in at the time.

It is clear to see that you are a fighter with a lot of skill Jessie and there is no doubt that you have a great future in the sport, but even the best fighters on the planet have adavantages and disadvantages, what would you say are yours? My strength is my power and for my weakness, I haven't really discovered any, but if i do I would work on that weakness continously.

So we know that your strength is your power but what would you say is your favourite punch? My left hook. When landed precisely it causes damage.

Professional

Now lets move onto the professional ranks, we already know that you have taken to the scene with ease winning all three of your fights with each of them coming by way of knockout, I know that a lot of fighters have problems adjusting to the professional rules etc so what changes have you had to make? Just working harder and spending more time in the gym. 

That's what I love to hear, a young fighter putting in the work to achive something great and all that hard work is certainly paying off champ. Now you last fought on March 27th which witnessed you knockout William Fisher in the second round, For some of our readers, could you talk us through the fight and the lead up to the fights finish? I was going for a first round knockout because I put him down once and saw he was hurt a few times, but I was being too aggressive and didn't pick my shots properly. As I went to the corner I decided to box him in the 2nd round and as I was boxing I noticed he was moving to my right most of the time, so I set him up with a jab and as soon as he moved I threw a right hook and down he went.  

Although it is still early in your career, like your brother Jose, You look an incredible talent but can I ask how you stay grounded when you start to receive all this praise, I know a few fighters that have had trouble with this part and just wanted to know your take on it? Simple, I'm on a mission to become a world champion. No one would change that hunger I have of becoming a world champion and being successful like my boy De La Hoya, haha.

Last but not least for this section has anyone been mentioned to you for your next opponent Jessie? Yes, I Have a fight on August 20th against Manuel Delcid.

Super Featherweight Division

Ruling two weight divisions, I like your style LOL

Roman Martinez, Takashi Uchiyama, Jorge Solis, Vitali Tajbert and many other great fighters are fighting in the division at the moment, who do you believe is the number one within the weight class at the moment and why?  Uchiyama because he has only had a few fights and is already number 3 in the division. 

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 Jessie can you give your opinion on each of the following:

1. Roman Martinez - I have only seen him fight once and didn't see much of him from that fight.
2. Takashi Uchiyama - Seen his fight againt Salgado, strong as a fighter, but opens up a lot.
3. Jorge Solis - Seen him fight a couple of times and doesn't have much.
4. Vitali Tajbert - Never seen any of his fights.
5. Malcolm Klassen - Never seen any of his fights.
6. Jason Litzau - Seen his fight against Juarez and Guerrero and didn't impress me at all.

Pacquiao v Mayweather Potential Super Fight

Bob Arum of Top Rank recently stated the fact that Floyd Mayweather 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? Yes I believe in the near future this fight will happen. Both fighters still have more fights ahead of them. I personally would love to see Pacman against Marquez again.

Future

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? Yes, my dream outcome would most definitely be to become a pound 4 pound star and dominate boxing like no one has done before. 

What are your plans for the rest of 2010?  Just get in as many fights as possible and of course continue with my education.

A cheeky question here, who is the better fighter, you or your brother Jose? LOL I have to admit he is a bit stronger than me, but I am a bit quicker than he is plus I just turned 19 so I still have more to develop. So Jose "El Gato" Roman better watch out for lil bro, (he is going to crack up when he sees that) hahahaha!

On leaving is there anything you would like to say to the readers of TopClassBoxing and the fight fans around the world? First of all I want to thank TopClassBoxing for an opportunity to have this interview with. For all the fights fans to watch and support the Roman brothers. You can expect great things in the future from my brother and I.

Interview conducted by: Paul Daley