Transcript of FRSN’s Zoom interview with WBA Interim junior middleweight champ Yoenis Tellez

Yoenis Tellez (10-0) is making his first defense of the WBA Interim belt at junior middleweight on Saturday at Caribe Royale against the no. 1 contender, Abass Baraou (16-1). He spoke with Five Reasons Sports over Zoom in Spanish as he was getting his hair done. Below is a translated version of the interview. Check it out:

MM: You started with boxing at eight years old, but at what moment did you lose your fear of taking contact from another person?

YT: I was a very special case because I was recommended by my father and grandfather. My first trainers were friends of my father, so starting the sport was a time of adaptation. In that time I got into it, I loved the sport and since then I haven’t been afraid of hits. 

MM: Today is Aug. 18, the three-year anniversary of your entry into America through Mexico. A journey like that is very long and dangerous. How did it make you stronger physically and mentally?

YT: It’s something I’ll never forget. The years pass and it’s always present. It’s a very hard process to leave your country to reach your dreams. It made me a much stronger person. It made me a person of integrity for what I do, and it’s a reminder that I’ll always have in my career. It’s one of the great things I’ve won aside from the sport. 

MM: What are the hardest parts you remember of a journey like that?

YT: They were very hard moments, jumping through rivers, and I was even arrested [and put] in a prison where people of other countries were staying, who I’d never met. I’d never been in a prison, either. There were a lot of hard moments, moments without eating. Passing through the rivers is very hard and dangerous. Those things will always stay with me personally and it’s three years today. 

MM: Each of your fights becomes a harder test. In your last fight against Julian Williams, it was the first time you went the distance in a 12-round fight. You dominated, but what did you learn about yourself that night?

YT: I learned that boxing doesn’t always finish how one wants. You have to be prepared for everything, mainly now I have experience fighting a great fighter in Julian [Williams], who is very respected in the boxing community. Aside from winning, I have a lot nice memories from that fight. 

MM: This Saturday, you make your first defense of the Interim WBA belt against Abass Baraou at Caribe Royale. How has camp been?

YT: Camp has been excellent, thank god. We did things how we were supposed to. We did everything instructed by the corner. We are coming into this fight with a coaching change, but it’s a trainer who has always worked with me. I had a super camp. I feel super prepared for this fight. 

MM: You’re not working with Ronnie Shields for this fight?

YT: Correct. We had a corner change because of personal matters I spoke with my team about. I left Ronnie, but everything is good with Ronnie. I wanted to try another camp, wanted to try another avenue.

MM: Who is your trainer?

YT: Edward Jackson.

MM: When you are preparing for a big fight, or all of them, what kind of food do you eat?

YT: My trainer makes me a healthy plan and another person is also involved. Mainly healthy foods that will help you get through camp.

MM: How much did you study Abass Baraou in camp?

YT: I try not to watch too much of my opponent. I focus too much on things and there are times where I prefer to leave it to my team and I’ll do what they tell me. Focusing too much on what my opponent can do makes me think too much…

Tellez briefly lost connection at this point in the interview because his phone died but rejoined a couple of minutes later. 

“... I don’t study opponents much because I lose focus. I want my team to watch, and I’ll do what they tell me. But I do watch, I just don’t focus on abilities. My team will tell me what to do.

MM: One of your motivations is being world champion, but another is bringing your family from Cuba. How much closer do you get to both with a win on Saturday?

YT: A lot, a lot. Everything in this sport is a road. I’m an example of having to do things the hard way to get where you want. This is Saturday is going to be another victory, and I’ll get closer to my main dreams.

MM: With a win, have you thought about what plans you have for future fights, and if so, what can you share?

YT: I let my team handle those things, but I’m ready to accept all the fights that come, and finally, I want to unify the belts. I want Cuba to identify with a fighter with dreams and aspirations. 

MM: Last one. You’ve been so great today. I need an expert opinion on this. Next month is the mega fight between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford at 168 pounds. Terence Crawford is going up 14 pounds. How do you see it going?

YT: Because of the challenge Crawford has, he is not fighting just anybody. He is going up 14 pounds to fight a super elite fighter, a fighter who perhaps can be said is the most complete in professional boxing. A lot of people can say what they want and have their opinions, and I respect that, but we are talking about Canelo Álvarez. Crawford is an excellent fighter and he has all the qualities, but doing this with a fighter like Canelo in reality becomes too hard to become victorious. But in the ring, you can never say no, you have to watch the fight. Crawford has the hard part.