Q&A Cristian Mijares

By Anson Wainwright

The Pride of Gomez Palacio a suburb of Durango Mexico, WBC Super
Flyweight Champion Cristian Mijares 34-3-2(14) took time out from his
busy schedule ahead of his unification fight with WBA counterpart
Alexander Munoz 32-2(27) a fight that will take place in his home town
of Gomez Palacio. It'll be Mijares seventh title defence since he won
the interim title in Japan against Katsushige Kawashima in late 2006.
When regular holder Masamori Tokuyama retired Mijares picked up the
full title and has been very active since beating out all comers with
his most notable wins being a stunning break out win over heavily
hyped & popular Jorge Arce in a near perfect points win last April
then after two comfortable wins in Mexico Mijares headed back to
America for only the second time in his career to face 2000 American
Olympian Jose Navarro again Mijares put on an outstanding performance
this past February. Southpaw Mijares 26, has fought 35 of his fights
in Mexico with two in both America & Japan.

Hello Cristian, welcome to 15rounds.com

Thanks for calling me.

Anson Wainwright - Firstly can I say what a great fight you have
coming up with Alexander Munoz, what do you know about him?

Cristian Mijares - I hardly know him. I have only seen a few video's
of his previous fights. The only thing I can see is that he will be a
difficult opponent but I trust in my own capabilities to snatch the
title and get another title for me and my people at Gomez Palacio
Durango.

Anson Wainwright - Where are you training for this fight? When did you
go into training camp? Who are you sparring with?

Cristian Mijares - I've always trained at the Seven Round Gym, it's my
uncle and current trainer Vicente Mijares's gym. I train everyday of
the week under the supervision of my other uncle Ricardo Mijares. I do
speed exercises, Speedball, punch bag, skipping rope and abdominals to
strengthen my muscles and get quicker on my attacks. Additionally
three days a week I jog seven kilometres in my favourite place -
Puente de Ajuela, which is a tourist place in Asenso near an abandoned
mine. I do also spar with top level fighters Erick Ramirez, Omar
Salado, Francisco Rosas & Frankie Soto. All these fellow boxers are
capable of becoming World champions some day.

Anson Wainwright - You're a very active champion, do you enjoy fighting often?

Cristian Mijares - I always enjoy fighting; it doesn't matter who I am
fighting. I enjoy being in the ring a lot. Out of the ring I am a
normal person and not aggressive at all, but the moment I am in the
ring I change and become a different person with only one thought.to
win. I have always enjoyed being a boxer and always wanted to be one.

Anson Wainwright - Most of your fights have been in Mexico, you have
however fought Jorge Arce in America was that your best win? Did that
win open lots of doors for you getting better sponsorship and more
recognition etc?

Cristian Mijares - The fight in San Antonio, Tx against Jorge Arce was
spectacular and I enjoyed it a lot especially for all the things that
started it. Arce talked a lot and he mentioned he would finish me very
easily and it didn't turn out this way. Despite showing him a huge
amount of respect, things in the ring turned out very differently. I
really wanted to beat him, and I did in a very clear way. You also
must remember that previously I had two fights in Japan; the first
against Katsushige Kawashima where I won the title, and the second
one- the revenge one- where I knocked him out. These fights plus the
fight against Jose Navarro in Las Vegas have opened the door to new
possibilities and sponsorships as people recognise my efforts and they
want to reward me in this way.

Anson Wainwright - The Super Flyweight division is hot at the moment,
who do you consider your main rivals?

Cristian Mijares - There are excellent boxers in the Super Flyweight
division for example the Mexicans Jorge Arce, Martin Castillo &
Fernando Montiel. I consider that all these boxers are very good
fighters but I can tell you that I am the best Super Flyweight in the
world and am going to show you.

Anson Wainwright - On the same card as your fight with Jose Navarro in
February, Fernando Montiel won impressively against Martin Castillo.
Is Montiel a fight you'd like in the future?

Cristian Mijares - Of course, I'd like to fight Fernando Montiel in
the future. He has said that he is the best in our division but at the
moment circumstances haven't allowed us to meet in the ring. Anyway, I
am more interested in my next goal the WBA title that I will be
fighting for against Alexander Munoz on 17 May. Montiel might be a
good rival at some point. He said that I didn't want to fight against
him but you know that boxing is also a matter of money but I am sure
that if we have to fight in the future, we will do.

Anson Wainwright - How did you get into Boxing?

Cristian Mijares - I started when I was a child thanks to my uncles
and current trainers Vincente Ricardo & Ricardo Mijares. I grew up in
a focused boxing family, and my love and interest for this sport comes
from my family. My cousins are also boxers. I started to attend to gym
when I was just a little boy and since then I have always felt a great
pleasure practicing this sport, even more so when I realised I had
potential to go far.

Anson Wainwright - Can you tell us a little about when you were
growing up if things were tough or you had a good upbringing?

Cristian Mijares - My childhood was very normal as I always saw myself
as a normal boy attending school, going out with friends, playing
football, and always enjoyed a very good relationship with my family,
my sister Perla & brother Roy. I always get along with them very well.
It's the same with my parents who have always been my biggest
supporters because they never doubted me, and thanks to them I am now
where I am so far. They built my winner personality, and they taught
me that you always to win in life and in fact I have done. My uncles
Vincente & Ricardo have been great support too.

Anson Wainwright - What do you enjoy away from Boxing?

Cristian Mijares - Let me tell you that in general I enjoy everything
in Boxing. For example the training, I feel bad if I don't train,
after a fight I have to rest I don't feel at ease because I always
want to train, to carry on with my training because it's a discipline
difficult to leave. I like the public recognition and fame. But I
would also like to be an example for the children interested in
becoming Boxers like me in the future, this is the reason I help as
many children as I can. I appreciate a lot of things that I have
received from Boxing but most of all I appreciate what I can do for
boxing. We will soon have the Cristian Mijares Foundation. The
Foundation will provide grants and awards to Students coming from
deprived or very low income families to support them on their studies
and to encourage them to practice Sports. I will let you know when
it's up and running.

Anson Wainwright - Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Cristian Mijares- I would like say thanks to everybody for their
support, I hope to provide them with new rewards and satisfaction. I
will keep working on my career meeting new challenges and goals for
all those that give me their support wherever they are. I'd like to
encourage people to practice sports, eat well and spend a lot of time
with their families. Family is the most important thing in life.

Anson Wainwright- Thanks Cristian and good luck.

Cristian Mijares - Thanks a lot for the interview and regards to all.