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Randy Caballero: Oscar De La Hoya’s New Golden Boy

Exclusive Interview by Marc Anthony

“I love the way his (Nonito Donaire) footwork is. He knows when to throw his punches at the right time.” — Randy Caballero

When top talented stars of boxing like Nonito Donaire and Timothy Bradley start praising a person’s skill inside the ring, you can’t help but take notice. Enter Randy Caballero, 7-0 4 KO’s, a top Golden Boy prospect. Randy comes with a very extensive amateur background, competing in the world amateur and taking the Bronze, representing the USA.

Randy is very aware of the high standards that he set for himself. Like a true champion he doesn’t let that faze him. Every step he takes, he moves closer. On March 4th, he takes another step towards boxing immortality against Hugo Ramos who he has previously sparred with. There will be no feeling out process. Hugo’s mission is to stop the momentum Randy has built.

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LIGHTWEIGHTS VICENTE ESCOBEDO & WALTER ESTRADA FACE OFF AT FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO IN INDO, CALIF.
COACHELLA’S RANDY CABALLERO BACK IN ACTION
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MA: There are many videos out there with Timothy Bradley and Nonito Donaire praising your skills. When you hear them say those things about you, how does it make you feel?

It makes me feel real good…coming from guys like Timothy Bradley and Nonito Donaire. Those guys are at the top of their game. They see the talent that I have, it makes me feel good…it makes me want to keep moving forward and make it to where they are at.

MA: How did the Golden Boy deal come about?

Before I had turned pro I had signed with TKO Promotions. Then something happened with their company…that’s when De La Hoya talked to my manager about signing me. He picked me up right away and that’s when I signed with them. I am glad I am with them because they are one of the biggest companies out there.

MA: I hate to ask this but since you have sparred with both Abner Mares and Nonito Donaire, if those two were to fight how would that play out?

Both of those guys are really, really, good. I have sparred with both of them. I get great workouts with both of them but they are two different styles. Abner Mares is more of a Mexican fighter: comes forward tries to push you back. If you don’t let him push you back then you can stay in there with him and put pressure and he can’t take that. He is a great fighter. I don’t take anything from him. Look at where he is at! He is at the top right now and hopefully he keeps going from there.

For Nonito, he is my boy and he is very talented and fast on his feet. I love the way his footwork is. He knows when to throw his punches at the right time. I think if that fight was to ever happen. I would probably say Nonito would take him.

MA: You expressed your pride of being Nicaraguan descent. What are your thoughts on Ricardo Mayorga?

Ricardo is a crazy fighter. Him being Nicaraguense, I went to Nicaragua not too long ago, and there are a lot of people that are not on his side. Maybe because of the way he is? In this sport he is a very marketable fighter because of the way he is. The attitude he has…he brings people. He has a different talent than anybody else: A crazy fighter. Ricardo vs. Cotto is going be a real good fight. I think I am going have to go with Cotto though. He is a good fighter.

MA: You have been marketed really well, are you taking courses on how to market yourself?

Oh, not at all. All I do in my life is being in the gym and train one hundred percent for every fight. What it is… the team I have beside me: All my team I have Cameron Dunkin, De La Hoya, my dad (has always been there for me, he has been my trainer) and Jessie. My publicist…he is getting my name out there, getting me interviews all around the world. I thank him for that. Jacob …my nutritionist, it’s just a great team I have. I think I have one of the best teams out there right now. Without them I don’t think I would be at where I am right now.

MA: Can you describe the feeling it is for you being in the ring?

Like I have always said, the love that I have for the sport, I just love being inside the ring! It’s one of the greatest feelings that I ever get, the gym is like my second home. I grew up in a gym. Ever since I learned how to walk, I would be in that gym, my dad being a boxer. It just feels so good getting ready, walking inside that ring and seeing everybody there for me cheering me on! It pumps me up. I just love the feeling. I haven’t got that feeling for any other sport that I have tried and I have tried a lot of sport. But boxing is the one that I know I am going to stay with forever.

MA: Your Upcoming fight On March 4th is against Hugo Ramos, what style does he bring into the ring?

I have sparred with him so many times and I know the way he fights. I know what he is going to do. He has nothing to lose in this right now. I have a lot to lose. He is just going to come forward and swing with everything he has. I know he will do that.

That’s what anybody would do right now to take me out: put pressure and try to get me tired. But I train hard. I train harder than anybody that I get ready for. I am in the gym every day. I train one hundred percent and I know I am ready right now. So whatever they put in front of me, I know that I am going to take them out. That’s all he is going to do is come forward and I am ready for that.

MA: Do you picture your opponents as someone who is in the way of creating your legacy?

I do want to become the best in the sport and make a name for myself: to become one of the greatest fighters. Here in this valley and in the world of boxing, that’s what I really want. It’s whoever they put in front of me. I know when the time is right they are going to put those guys that I need to take out to make it to the top. I am just giving it time and whatever they have planned for me and whoever they put in front of me I am just here to take them out and keep moving forward from there.

MA: You have said in the past that you want to go back to school, you still have that aspiration?

I do seriously want to go back to school. I don’t think right now is the time. School is one thing you really need as a back for you in this sport. Like I said, you don’t know what’s going to happen and anything can happen. If you don’t have a plan “B” where are you going go from there? You see a lot of fighters who think and hope that boxing takes them all the way but if it doesn’t where are you going go from there? You are just left out like nothing.

MA: What does it mean to you being able to live your dream as a pro boxer?

Right now, I can honestly say I am living my dream and it’s the greatest. It is one thing to dream about something but to live it it’s another thing. That’s what I am doing right now just, living my dream. I thank God for that and everybody that I have on my side.

MA: You had 6 fights in one year. Has a long amateur career helped you prepare for fighting so often?

Oh yeah it has. Definitely, growing up: we hit every show in our gym…we hit every show and every tournament that was out there. We fought every week. I had about 170 something fights and it did help me. I have traveled all the way to Turkey to fight for the World amateur tournament, representing the US and coming back with Bronze Medal. It felt really good.

All that stuff that I did in the amateurs it really did help me and it pays off in the pros.

MA: Would you recommend fighters to do a longer amateur career before going pro?

Definitely, the amateurs are one thing that helps you a lot. You build that confidence when you are in that ring. Amateur and Pros are totally different ball game: Boxing is not a game to playing with… not a sport to be playing with. It’s a dangerous sport. Anything can happen to you in this sport. Just one punch can end your career. When you step into the Pros: there is not head gear and you have smaller gloves…everything you throw you are going to feel it. Get used to in the amateurs then when you know it’s the right time then turn pro.

MA: Thank you Randy, any final words?

No problem man, thank you for getting this done and helping me getting my name out there. Hopefully, I can get people out there on my March 4th fight. If you can make it out there and watch it, I am going be co-main event on Telefutura on Friday March 4th. If anybody wants to follow me I have a website: TeamCaballero.com, you can find me on Facebook, hopefully everybody follows me I can. The fans are what keep me moving forward and I thank them for that.

Randy Caballero
Division: featherweight
Professional Record: 7-0-0, 4 KO’s
2011-01-14 Manuel Ortega Indio, California W UD 4 4
2010-12-11 Robert Guillen Las Vegas, Nevada W UD 4 4
2010-10-15 Missael Nunez Indio, California W UD 4 4
2010-07-02 Jairo Delgado Ontario, California W KO 1 4
2010-06-03 Travis Bedwell Commerce, California W TKO 1 4
2010-05-08 Edwin Rosado Palm Springs, California W KO 1 4
2010-03-25 Gonzalo Nicolas Commerce, California W KO 1 4

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