Having suffered two losses in his last three fights, albeit to top-flight opposition, 39-year-old former two-time world champion Joel Casamayor (37-5-1, 22 KOs) admits that every fight from here out is potentially career ending.
Casamayor will face once-beaten Mexican Manuel Leyva this Friday, March 11 at theTheatre for the Performing Arts at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, in a fight he knows he must win to stay relevant in the super lightweight division.
As charismatic and likeable outside the ring as he is merciless and mean inside it, Casamayor sat down for an interview before beginning one of his final workouts.
You’ve lost two out of your last three fights, even though they were both against top fighters, would another loss be the end of the line for you?
This is a ‘make it or break it’ fight for me, no question about it. I had Robert Guererro out in the tenth round of my last fight and if it had been a 12 rounder, I would have knocked him out, but no question, this is make or break. I’m 39 years old.
Why have you only had one fight per year for the last two years?
I was looking for a major fight and they kept falling through. I had fights with Morales, Barrera and even Amir Khan fall through. Eventually, I had to take the Guererro fight, even though I love him and his family.
What is left for you to achieve in your incredible career?
I want to win three world titles in three weight classes. I won belts at 130 and 135 and now I want 140. I want to be among the greats like Wilfredo Gomez and Wilfred Benitez and Alexis Arguello. I’ll never break Roberto Duran’s record, but I’d like to be among those other names as three-time/three weight-class champions.
At 39 are you still able to perform at a world-class level?
Absolutely. I know they’re bringing in all these young guys who come to fight and try to take my head off, but I’m in great shape for this one. I had lots of time for training and I feel very confident.
You were originally supposed to face Mike Anchondo. Does the late sub of opponents bother you?
I was training for Anchondo, a former champ, and it’s always difficult to change opponents, but I’m ready for anybody they put in front of me on March 11.
Boxing at Planet Hollywood featuring Grant vs. Fields and Casamayor vs. Leyva is proudly presented by Sterling Promotions in association with American Dream Presents and Heads Up Entertainment. It will be broadcast on pay-per-view by MultiVision Media, Inc., throughout the United States and Canada, tape delay into other countries.
Tickets for the March 11 night of boxing at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas are priced at $25, $40, $60, $90 and $150 (All seats reserved) and are available at the Planet Hollywood Theater for the Performing Arts box office from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, except Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are also available by calling the Planet Hollywood box office at 702-785-5555, extension 55620 during those hours and through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 andwww.ticketmaster.com.
