I got a call a little while back from a boy of mine and he was praising this young welterweight prospect named Adrian Mora.

So I hopped online and found out that Mora wasn't so young (29) but was a solid prospect and I left it at that. My boy called me again later on and he kept bragging how good Mora was, so I was like fine, I'll try to get some video of him, calm down.

FNN: Adrian nice to talk to you, and how are you doing?

Mora: "Thanks for calling, and I'm fine."

FNN: What got you into boxing?

Mora: "My father was an old fighter, and I have five brothers, and we all fight. It is a family tradition. I didn't plan on fighting, but I couldn't avoid it. I enjoy fighting and it has kept all us brothers close."

FNN: So are you the star of the family?

Mora: "No. My older brother Anthony is probably the star. He had a good career going, but bad management and fights on short notice ruined it for him. He is tired of the politics of boxing and in some ways I have had the same feelings. I see how he is frustrated and it makes me frustrated because he was so good."

FNN: What is your amateur background?

Mora: "I came second in the 2000 Olympic trials. I had a good amateur career, but I didn't fight regularly and had some other issues. I could've been a top amateur, but I am happy with my amateur career."

FNN: Okay, you've been pro for six years now Adrian, so why only 17 career fights?

Mora: "Lots of things. I have had some injuries. I have had several opponents back out of fights. Lack of solid management and a real promoter has hurt me; basically the typical politics of the sport that ruins so many young fighters' careers. I have had to be way too patient over my career. I thought about giving it up, but I love to fight too much. I am now with a great promotional team in Silverhawk, and I don't have to worry about all that nonsense anymore." 

FNN: So what is Silverhawk's gameplan for you, and how often will you fight with them?

Mora: "I have only one fight so far, but that's because I had a stupid broken finger. It was just one of those injuries that happen right before a fight. It's a simple injury, but you really can't fight with it. So I would like to be very busy and I hope Silverhawk wants me to be very busy. I would like two more fights before the year is out. But I only plan to fight a few more years, so getting as many fights now is my priority. I want to retire at 33 or so and become a cop. Being a cop is an honorable job and I can help people. We can't fight forever; you know what I mean, so I have to think about my future."

FNN: For those readers who haven't seen you fight; can you describe your fighting style?

Mora: "I'm a smart fighter. I'm not just a heart and balls fighter like a typical Mexican fighter. Like most Mexicans I fight with heart, but that isn't all I do. I don't want to talk funny and take shot after shot, so I use defense as well. I'll brawl when I need to, but I am a boxer-puncher. I am tall at 5'11" for my division so I am a lanky fighter, but I don't just use my jab. I'll come inside when it serves me to, and I'll fight outside to break down my opponents. I just like to fight, but to fight smart."

FNN: What did you learn from your draw with Juan Carlos Rubio?

Mora: "I doubted him completely. I had seen him on TV and I didn't think much of him. So I came in a little overconfident and after four rounds I realized I needed to do something quick or I would lose this fight. He was on top of me from the get go, so I switched up my attack and I felt I might've won a close fight, but a draw wasn't bad. I do feel like I lost that fight, because I know I am better than him, but to be prepared next time. I won't underestimate any opponent in the future, no matter how much I think I am better."

FNN: Do you feel comfortable at 147, or is there a move in weight for you?

Mora: "No. I am a 140lber. I can't make 135 anymore and 147 is a little high for me. 140 is where I belong. I don't want to be like Hatton in moving up to a weight class that isn't natural, and I definitely don't want to be like Diego Corrales and starve myself into an unhealthy condition to make a weight that is too low for me."

FNN: When can we expect to see you again, and do you plan to be more active?

Mora: "November is when I'll be fighting again. Man I want to be active. I really hope Silverhawk keeps me active. My biggest opponent is inactivity. I have averaged three fights a year as a pro, that is horrible. I need to keep sharp and fresh and get my timing to where it needs to be."

FNN: When will we see Adrian Mora in a big fight?

Mora: "2007. A couple fights this year and a couple more early on next year, and then in late 2007 about this time next year you'll see me in a big fight. I think then I will be ready."

FNN: Anyone that you are particularly aiming for?

Mora: "No not really. I mean anyone who is in my way. I mean anybody my management team gives me to beat, so I can move up the rankings. I guess if I had to pick a name, it would be Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. That is because of his name, but basically whoever is in my way to getting to the top."

FNN: Anything you would like to say in closing to your fans and the readers of FightNightNews?

Mora: "Yes there is. When I fought a couple weeks ago I was treated horribly. I was fooled into thinking my fight was a six rounder. I don't know whose fault it was, either Silverhawk's or most likely the stupid Texas commission. They didn't tell me I was fighting a four rounder. I found out in the ring. They didn't tell me during the prefight discussion in the dressing room, they didn't tell me before the fight at all. I was standing in the ring waiting for the bell for the fourth round, and then the announcer said everyone cheer for it's the fourth and final round. I said what? I had the guy wearing down and I was going to stop him late, but now I had no chance of really stopping him. I paced myself for a six round fight and instead I had a four rounder. I am well past fighting four-rounders. This better not happen again. The commission needs to get their act together. But besides that, God bless everybody and we'll talk again soon."

The light welterweight division is deep in talent and prospects. Mora is at a point where he needs to step up competition and show his abilities. With his height and spirit Mora can make an impact on this division, but he better get a move on if he is planning to retire in a few years. Mora was a pleasant young man, but I'm not the man staring across at him in the ring. I would like to thank Adrian for taking the time out to talk to FightNightNews, and I would like to thank Al Mermini for setting up this interview.