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04/08/2004 Archived Entry: "Al "Speedy" Gonzalez Set for Ortiz, Calls Out Malignaggi"
Al "Speedy" Gonzalez Set for Ortiz, Wants Malignaggi
An Exclusive Interview by Juan C. Ayllon
Chicago, Illinois: Junior welterweight Al “Speedy” Gonzales is fired up. Dissatisfied with his last performance, a controversial draw versus heavy-swinging Jesse Feliciano, he wants to make an emphatic statement on April 16th versus tough opponent, Rafael Ortiz.
In his previous, crowd-pleasing pitched battle versus Feliciano (12-1-1, 7 KOs), Al Gonzales (13-0-1, 7 KOs) pitted superior speed and boxing ability against bruising and relentless power punching pressure. Often hemmed in against the ropes as his opponent teed off from close range, Al was forced to slug and brawl his way out of harms way. In the end, he felt that he won six out of the bout’s total eight rounds.
Thus, it is ironic that—while a rematch with Jesse Feliciano remains a distinct possibility—what really excites him is a chance to fight Paul Malignaggi (16-0-0, 5 KOs); like Pavlov’s dog, he figuratively salivates at the thought of facing the New York native.
Whereas a rematch against Feliciano would be money in the bank—a huge, local draw—as well as the opportunity to remove a blemish from his record, Gonzales feels it would be a lateral move. By contrast, fighting Malignaggi represents a clear window of opportunity for this ambitious fighter to advance his career up another level.
Following roadwork with his trainer, Al “Speedy” Gonzales spared a few minutes before hitting the showers for this interview.
Juan Ayllon: How has training camp been?
Al Gonzales: Good, good, good! I can’t wait to fight the fight! I’ve had problems with my back, but it’s all cleared up now. I don’t know what it was exactly; it’s something with the muscle, but now it’s perfect!
I would like to have more sparring partners because I haven’t been able to find good sparring. I may have to travel out of state to get it.
JA: Tell us what you know about Rafael Ortiz.
AG: I don’t know too much about him. He’s a bit slow but he won’t take a backward step. Hopefully, I’ll get a video of him so I’ll know what I’m getting myself into.
JA: Do you have a specific strategy for the fight?
AG: I ‘m not going to put myself out there. Lately, it’s been backfiring. I’m not going to say anything. As I’ve told other guys, I’m just going to go in there, do my thing and let my boxing skills speak for themselves.
JA: I have heard that you really want to fight Paul Malignaggi in a bad way. What’s that all about?
AG: That’s who I’ve been waiting for! Hopefully, he’ll stop running. We’re both undefeated, we’re both good fighters. I just want to see who’s the best to take it to the next level.
I don’t know too much about him. He gets someone all the way from Chicago to fight him [in New York]. It’s just, why does he have to fight Rocky? He’s basically—I think—getting kind of old. Why not fight me? Nothing against Rocky—I’m hoping Rocky will beat him so I won’t even have to worry about him.
[Editor’s note: Paul Malignaggi is scheduled to fight Chicagoan fighter, Ray “Rocky” Martinez (40-9-1) on April 22, 2004 at the Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom in New York, NY].
JA: How do you think Rocky Martinez will fare versus Malignaggi?
AG: I really don’t know because I know Malignaggi keeps running. I don’t know if Rocky has the stamina to keep chasing him. [By contrast] I don’t like to stop; I like to keep going!
JA: Is this personal for you?
AG: Naw, not really. He just keeps turning me down. I don’t know what it is. It’s like nothing’s getting to him. Maybe I’ll have to go to his hometown, fight him in his backyard, his living room, whatever.
Basically, when he fights Rocky, I’ll just go up there to call him out.
JA: Does it bother you that he’s already scheduled his next fight date for June 17th? I heard rumors that you would like to fight him on that date.
AG: I would definitely like to fight him then. [But], I haven’t heard nothing. I just hear his manager calling my people—my promoter, my trainer—it’s probably Dominic [Pesoli, Al Gonzales’ promoter], but nothing’s happening. I just want to get this man. Let’s do it!
I want to take his spot out there. I want to fight him so bad! I don’t got no animosity towards him [however].
JA: What about Jesse Feliciano?
AG: I would like to get a rematch sooner or later. I would like to fight him, but my promoter would like me to fight Malignaggi; my manager and trainer would like me to fight him.
JA: So, what you are saying is that Malignaggi represents a chance to move up in levels, while Feliciano is more of a lateral move, simply a chance to set the record straight?
AG: Yeah. That’s it exactly. Let’s bring it on!
Al “Speedy” Gonzales will be headlining an action packed evening of boxing for Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, “The Chicago Thunder,” at DePaul’s Athletic Center on Friday, April 16. The ever-popular heavy hitters, “Macho” Miguel Hernandez and Luciano “El Gallo Bravo” Perez, will also fight on the card.
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by calling (312) 226-5800. For more information, contact Bernie Bahrmasel at 8 Count Productions, 773-289-3415.
