DOB: May 1,
1971 In: Santo
Domingo, Dominican
Republic
Record: 26-0
(17 KO's)
Childhood Hero:
Sugar Ray Leonard.
Hobbies/Interests:
I enjoy playing
video games such as
PlayStation and
x-Box. I also love
dancing.
Nicknames:
People call me "El
Pequeno Tyson"
(Little Tyson)
because they tell me
we have a similar
boxing style.
Favorite Movies:
I don't have any
specific favorite
movie. I just like
all horror films.
They seem to be the
only ones that keep
me in suspense.
Favorite TV Shows: I must
admit that I am still a child at
heart. I enjoy watching cartoons, my
favorite being The Simpsons, South
Park and Dragon Ball Z.
Musical Tastes: Being that I
am Dominican I enjoy listening to
salsa, bachata, and ballad. Hip-hop
is definitely growing on me as well.
First Job: My first job was
at a candy store.
First Car: My first car is
not well known here because in
Dominican Republic we use a lot of
European cars that never arrive to
the U. S. But it was a Volkswagen
Escoda.
Pre-Fight Feeling: Before a
fight I am very relaxed and act like
my usual self. The morning of the
fight I wake up anxious and a little
nervous, but once I start getting my
hands wrapped everything leaves my
mind and I am ready to fight.
Favorite Meal: Has to be "asopao"
which is soupy rice that can be made
with meat or seafood in it.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:
Hands down has to be chocolate. I
can eat anything with chocolate in
it [smiles].
Pre-Fight Meal: I usually
always have shrimp fettuccine
alfredo. The carbs give me the
energy I need while still tasting
good.
Greatest Career Moment:
Besides winning the championship
belt at 122 (TKO 7 Agapito Sanchez
in 2004 in San Diego), the moment
that stands out the most of my
career was 1995 when I won the gold
medal in the Pan American Games for
the Dominican Republic. The country
had not won an individualized medal
in over 40 years and I was just
extremely proud of myself.
Most Painful Moment: I really
don't have one. I am very cheerful
person so I try not to dwell on
painful moments and just look
forward to having better days.
Worst Injury: Thank God I
have never really had a bad injury
and I hope it remains like that
throughout my career.
Favorite Boxers to Watch:
Mayweather and Zab Judah are two of
my favorite boxers. I like watching
guys that move around the ring a lot
and have good foot movement.
Favorite Fights: All of mine
are my favorite - I can watch my
fights over and over again and never
become bored with them. I see who
was cheering me on and who wasn't
[smiles]. It's actually quite funny
to see people's facial expressions
when you hit someone or get hit
yourself.
Funny Boxing Memory: Has to
be when I knocked out Pascual
Polanco (TKO 1 in La Romana, DR in
1999). When I knocked him out he
thought he was getting beat up by a
bunch of guys but it was only me
[smiles]. That was really funny.
Embarrassing Boxing Memory:
My most embarrassing moment was when
I lost in the ('96) Olympics. I feel
like I had let my country down and
was extremely shamed by that loss.
Favorite Vacation Spot: My
native country the Dominican
Republic. I wouldn't trade it for
anything in the world.
Early Boxing Memory: My first
time meeting a famous boxer wasn't a
great experience. I was in Africa
for a fight and I saw Tommy Hearns.
I asked him for his autograph and he
said, "Later." Later never came and
I was really hurt by that. Because
of that I never deny my fans an
autograph.
People Qualities Most Admired:
I most admire honesty and
humbleness. Without those two
qualities a person is incomplete.
