Quezada is riding a 13-fight winning streak while Oruh is coming off his first loss. This fight will be Quezada’s biggest challenge to date. "Teke is a step up for Me." said Quezada, "A victory will get me closer to my goal of becoming a world champion. I know one thing is certain, I'm coming to fight and I'm leaving everything in ring."
Manuel is a hard-hitting heavyweight from Wasco California and has a professional record of 24 wins (15KO) against 4 losses. I sat down with Manuel to talk boxing and discuss his upcoming fight.
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8COUNT – Champ, thanks for taking time out to talk to me today.
MANUEL QUEZADA – Thanks. Thank you for having me.
8COUNT – How are you, how is training camp going?
MANUEL QUEZADA – Good. Camp’s good. We’re in shape and ready to go. I’ve been up there training with Goosen.
8COUNT – How have you been preparing for you upcoming fight with Teke Oruh?
MANUEL QUEZADA – I’ve been working hard. I’ve been getting a lot of rounds in with one of my sparring partners, Malik Scott. He gives me a lot of good work.
8COUNT – What’s your strategy coming in to the fight?
MANUEL QUEZADA – Just get in the best shape I can get. Try to push the pace, try to get a fast pace going. We’re not going to allow this guy just get comfortable in the ring at any time. We’ll try to push the pace as much as we can.
8COUNT – Are you looking for a knockout?
MANUEL QUEZADA – I don’t really look for knockouts but if it comes then I’ll definitely go for it. If I feel it that I can get a knockout then I’ll definitely take it.
8COUNT – Tell us more about you. Tell us how you got into boxing?
MANUEL QUEZADA – Well, as a kid I grew up in martial arts. All my life I’ve been in martial arts.. I’m a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon do. From there I jumped into kickboxing and kickboxing kind of died out so then I tried my fate in boxing and I’ve been doing it ever since and I love it.
8COUNT – And so far so good.
MANUEL QUEZADA – Yea, I just like to fight.
8COUNT – Tell me what your goals are and are there any boxers out there that you are specifically aiming for?
MANUEL QUEZADA – Like I said, I used to be a kick boxer and martial artist but when I started this boxing thing, I wasn’t really sure how far I can go. But now as I keep fighting and I keep winning, I keep getting more confidence. Now I really feel like I can do it. I feel like this coming year is going to be a big year for me. I’m ready to step it up. I’m not really going out for anybody in particular but whoever is ready to fight me, I’ll be ready to fight.
8COUNT – Let’s talk about the big fight coming up between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De la Hoya. Tell me your thoughts on that fight.
MANUEL QUEZADA – I personally think De la Hoya should win that fight. I personally am not a big fan of that fight because he’s such a bigger guy and a bigger opponent for Pacquiao. But you can never underestimate Manny, he’s a tough guy.
8COUNT – Lastly, do you have any messag to our readers and boxing fans?
MANUEL QUEZADA – Just come out to the show on Saturday night. It’s going to be an exciting night. I expect my fight to steal the show. It’s going to be an exciting fight.
8COUNT – Alright Manuel, thanks for your time and good luck with your fight.
MANUEL QUEZADA - Alright, thank you. Thanks for having me.
