If the rumors had been true Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes 14-0(5) would be just weeks away from what he hoped would be his coming out party against fellow unbeaten Texan Casey Ramos 12-0(4). It would of been the biggest fight of both of their young lives. Unfortunately it was just rumors that they would clash on 4 February, it’s a fight that interests Belmontes and he hopes they can actually get it worked out at some point but he wont allow the grass to grow under his feet. He’s currently staying in shape and waiting for the call, he hopes to develop his skills further in 2011. He hails from the South Texan coastal town of Corpus Christi, which he is fiercely passionate about and hopes to that they can tap into the local scene and take it to new heights. Here’s what Belmontes had to say about his career, life away from Boxing and his inspiration.
Hello Jerry, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly you will be making your 2011 debut on 4 February against Casey Ramos, what are your thoughts on this fight and Ramos?
Jerry Belmontes – Thank you guys for having me. The Casey Ramos bout on February 4th has actually been canceled. That is a fight the general public will see at a later date, could be as soon as next spring but as far as Feb 4th goes, its all speculation.
Anson Wainwright – It also marks your first 8 rounder against your toughest opponent to date, do you see this as a step up fight?
Jerry Belmontes – LOL If the fight was official then of course it would be a step up fight. I have a great corner and a conditioning program that prepares me to go 12 rounds if need be.
Anson Wainwright – You’ve been a pro for 3 years now, how do you feel you have developed in that time? What were the biggest adjustments you had to make?
Jerry Belmontes – I feel great, I feel that I’ve developed the way I have wanted to in the past 3 years. The biggest adjustment was to move up a weight class and now I’m fighting at 130lbs. I have made every one of my KO’s at 130lbs. I feel that this is the weight for me right now.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about the team behind you, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?
Jerry Belmontes – As I said before, I have a great corner. My father has been my trainer since I began boxing. He knows boxing like the back of his hand. My manager is Adrian Clark from Dallas, Texas. We met while he was in college here in Corpus Christi. He also manages CJ Miles of the Utah Jazz (NBA). I train at Joe Garza gym in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Anson Wainwright – For most of your career you have fought in your home state of Texas, however you have appeared on the Margarito-Mosley card in Los Angeles. What can you tell us about the experience to fight on a bill like that at The Staples Center?
Jerry Belmontes – It was a great experience, just being there. I learned a lot fighting in a bigger stage in my professional career. I had a good time, I got the privilege to meet Antonio Margarito he is a really nice guy.
Anson Wainwright – Your not with Top Rank anymore, what happened there?
Jerry Belmontes – You have to ask Top Rank about that.
Anson Wainwright – What top guys in the pro’s have you sparred with and trained with to date? What can you tell us about those experience’s?
Jerry Belmontes – I have sparred with Rocky Juarez to help get him ready for Chris John. I learned a lot while sparring with him. He gave me a lot of tips on how to fight for a world championship belt, he was a world champion and being in the ring with him was great experience.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Corpus Christi, did you have a tough upbringing as many boxers do?
Jerry Belmontes – I wouldn’t necessarily say that growing up I had a tough up bringing. It wasn’t always easy getting by for my family, we made sacrifices but we managed to get by. It helps when you have a big family like I do. I have my mother, my father, and three brothers we always kept each other going. My family is a big part of my life and my career. I am thankful for them every day.
Anson Wainwright – How did you first become interested and then take up Boxing?
Jerry Belmontes – My dad was a professional boxer himself. He always had my older brother in the gym while I was playing baseball. He took me to the gym one summer and I got to see my brother sparring. From that day forward I asked my dad to take me to the gym with him and my brother and have been going ever since.
Anson Wainwright – You had a solid amateur career, can you tell us about what tournaments you won and what current pro’s you fought? Also what was your final record?
Jerry Belmontes – The very first tournament I won was the National Silver Gloves tournament at the age of twelve. I made the National Junior Olympics twice, I won the Under 19’s tournament, and made it to the Golden Gloves Nationals. I fought in the U.S.A Championships twice, and received a bronze medal at the Olympic trials. I finished my amateur career with a record of 115 wins and 18 loses. In my professional career I’ve had 14 fights, leaving me 14-0-5ko. I fought Morris Chule, Adauto Gonzalez, Guadalupe De Leon, and many others.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do with your time away from Boxing? What are your hobbies & Interests? Also what other sports do you enjoy and what teams do you support?
Jerry Belmontes – I like to spend time with my Son, he just turned one in December. He has me going all day, I some times think he wears me out more than boxing does. hahaha. Some hobbies and interests of mine would be playing video games, me and my love like to spend one night out of the week watching all the late night Crime Shows, CSI, Criminal Minds, Law & Order, and Cold Case. I enjoy baseball, basketball, and football. I support The Dallas Cowboys football team, and the Denver Nuggets basketball team, and the Texas Rangers baseball team.
Anson Wainwright – Growing what fighters were your hero’s & why?
Jerry Belmontes – My dad. When I was an only an infant he was a local professional boxer. I never got the chance to see him fight in the ring but the two of us use to sit down together ever day and watch videos of him. It was something we shared together. I admired him then, and I still do today. My dad is deaf and watching him still able to follow his dream and be as great of a fighter as he was inspired me.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Boxing world ahead of your next fight?
Jerry Belmontes – I don’t know when my next fight will be, there is currently nothing in the works. I do have a message for everyone in the super featherweight division, the Corpus Christi Kid is ready!
Thank you for you time Jerry and hope to see you back in action soon.
Anson Wainwright
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