Randy Caballero: Lessons Learned – From Nonito Donaire to the Championship
Exclusive Interview by Marc Anthony
“If it wasn’t for my dad I wouldn’t be where I am at right now.” — Randy Caballero
Randy Caballero, 12-0 7 KO’s, has been making full use of the meaning “steel sharpens steel” while sparring with champions such as Nonito Donaire and Super Six Star Abner Mares. Understanding the dangers of the sweet science, Randy put in his time in the amateur circuit with over 187 amateur fights winning the Bronze medal and the 2008 US National Amateur Championship at flyweight.
When Randy was asked about time off for about six months, he had this to say: “I do feel a lot better, that rest did help me out a lot. My body feels recovered, I feel a lot stronger, a lot faster. I’ve been working on different things in this training camp. I am thinking a lot more in the ring; I am able to go more rounds but how to control those rounds. Not just step in there and go all out in the beginning rounds and then tire myself out in the end, now I am learning to control myself and finish out strong in the end.”
Coming off his recent win against formerly undefeated Alexis Santiago on July 1st of this year and capturing the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental super bantamweight title, he now prepares to fight Arturo Santiago at Fantasy Springs Resort on December 2nd. Santiago recently defeated another undefeated fighter earlier this year will there be a repeat?
Randy sits with RSR to keep us up to date on his road to becoming a world champion.
MA: You always bring a big crowd and what’s interesting people who don’t normally watch boxing watch you fight. What are you doing to get people to watch?
You know what? Since I turned pro and my dad being from Nicaragua, I have built a big fan base in Nicaragua. I have been going to a lot of Central American parades, Nicaraguan festivals and I went to a lot of stuff like that. So my fan base has built in the Central American population and as well here in the Valley. I have brought a lot of people to those arenas that never even watch boxing. They have come up to me and said to me: “You know what, you are the first pro fight I have ever seen and I love it!” It’s good to know that I can bring more people to this sport and that’s what we need.
MA: Busy 2011 with this being your 7th fight. Are you planning for a repeat next year?
Like I said, I don’t care what they put in front of me. If it’s every month, it’s fine with me. I just want to stay busy… I don’t want to stay out of the ring. I love being in there. That’s why I am in this sport because I love being in that ring. Whatever they have planned for me, I am ready for anything.
MA: Not knowing who your opponent is does that make you more relaxed since you just concentrate on yourself?
It doesn’t bother me at all. My dad has taught me every different style. Like I said, I am ready for whoever is in front of me. I’ve trained and sparred with different styles out there… so I am ready for whatever.
MA: Outside of boxing, what things do you do to relax and take time off?
With my time off, I just spend it as much as I can with family. I am the type of guy that I love being around my family. Hang with friends here and there. Go out and have a good time. But I love being with my family.
MA: You recently got your first title in the Pro’s the WBC youth against formerly undefeated Alexis Santiago, was this most important win for you in the pros?
You know what, so far, yeah. To me every fight I step into is important to me. One loss can totally change your life in this sport. But it was a big step up. My name is out there more with this title. After getting it, I have heard so many people calling me out now. It feels good.
MA: You like when people call you out?
Definitely, I know I am out there and people know what kind of fighter I am. People look out for me and stuff like that… but it does feel good.
MA: Boxing is growing again in the US; do you see in the near future boxing going back on free network TV in addition the already being on Cable TV?
Oh definitely! That’s something the boxing world needs… to throw this out there more. There are a lot of sports that try to come up, like MMA and stuff like that and try to take boxing off the map, but to be honest no sport out there can do it. Boxing is a great sport!
MA: You keep moving forward towards your goal of being a future champion, do you allow yourself to daydream what it would be like to be a superstar?
There’s time I do. I do dream of stuff like that. Just watching all those 24/7’s and seeing all those fighters that are out there. Me and my dad watch them as they started and now they are at the top, like Victor Ortiz, I have seen him when he first started his pro career and now look where he is at. Me and my dad just sit there and wonder like one day we have to get there. If it wasn’t for my dad I wouldn’t be where I am at right now.
MA: Anyone in particular you would like to test your skills against?
Like I said, I spar with Nonito Donaire. That guy is in the top of his game right now at my weight class or around there. So you know what , it’s whoever they put in front of me, whoever is on top I am ready for anybody. I wouldn’t call anybody out because I spar with Nonito and of all the guys that I am fighting what can they do to me if I am sparring with Nonito Donaire?
MA: Sound like that gives you a ton of confidence
It does, a lot. It motivates me a lot more knowing that I sparred with Abner Mares all those guys and it does feel good.
MA: What is the speed like when you spar with Nonito, crazy fast?
Nonito is really fast. He is very fast especially with this footwork and stuff like that. There is stuff you need to learn. I was with him out there for a month in San Francisco as every sparring session went on you learn different things. You catch on to some of the things he does. But as for someone who barely steps in the ring and just only studies him by watching him not being in the ring with him? It does get hard. The first times I sparred him that footwork, kept throwing me off but after a while I got used to it and I started changing my game plan.
MA: Thank you Randy any final message?
Hopefully they can all make it out there not only cause I am Main Event, I’m defending my title, I’m not going to let that thing go. I’m going to put a good show on for everybody that goes out there and supports me. Don’t miss it cause I’m gonna come out with fireworks.
Check out Randy’s website at: http://www.teamcaballero.com/
Randy Caballero
Division: featherweight
Professional Record: 12-0-0, 7 KO’s
2011-07-01 Alexis Santiago 8-0-1 Indio, US W UD 8
vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Title
2011-06-03 Sergio Cristobal 3-1-0 Indio, US W TKO 4
2011-05-06 Francis Ruiz 9-4-0 Indio, US W KO 6
2011-04-01 Felix Perez 7-2-0 Indio, US W TKO 2
2011-03-04 Hugo Ramos 3-7-2 Indio, US W UD 6
2011-01-14 Manuel Ortega 1-3-0 Indio, US W UD 4
2010-12-11 Robert Guillen 5-8-3 Las Vegas, US W UD 4
2010-10-15 Missael Nunez 4-9-2 Indio, US W UD 4
2010-07-02 Jairo Delgado 3-7-0 Ontario, US W KO 1
2010-06-03 Travis Bedwell 0-1-0 Commerce, US W TKO 1
2010-05-08 Edwin Rosado 1-5-1 Palm Springs, US W KO 1
2010-03-25 Gonzalo Nicolas 0-0-0 Commerce, US W KO 1
