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02/04/2006 Archived Entry: "'Weezel' Watch: David Estrada Talks on Facing Renan St. Juste in Quebec!"
‘Weezel’ Watch: David Estrada Talks on Facing Renan St. Juste in Quebec!
By Juan C. Ayllon
Photos by Tom E. Barnes
CHICAGO, February 1, 2006 – at 6’ 1” and 164 lbs., David “The Weezel” Estrada is a tall and gregarious fighter well liked in the city’s boxing circles and respected nationally at the intermediate level, having been featured a number of times on venues such as ESPN2 and Telefutura. Unafraid of fighting opponents in their hometowns, he is facing a stiff challenge against a man some say is a future Canadian champion. In his back yard.
He’ll be fighting on Saturday, February 11th at the Montreal Casino in Montreal against one Renan St. Juste, a muscular middleweight with a hard punch and a record of 9-1-1 and five knockouts.
Known as “The Weezel”—purposely misspelled at the suggestion of a creative friend—Estrada granted the Cyber Boxing Zone’s Juan C. Ayllon a telephone interview, in which he discussed his upcoming bout, training, the sport of boxing, and his plans extensively.
JUAN AYLLON: How are you feeling?
DAVID ESTRADA: I’m feeling great. I’m in the best shape of my life. I’ve been sparring eight rounds today. Since I’ve been sparring with Eddy, I’ve been averaging at least six rounds. I’ve been sparring eight, ten rounds. This fight, it’s only scheduled as a six rounder. I’m in shape. I never come to a fight out of shape. I’m ready to go. I’ve been ready to go in the last couple of weeks.
JA: What do you know about your opponent, Renan St. Juste?
Renan St. Juste (courtesy of www.lazonedeboxe.com)
DE: I really don’t know nothing about this guy. It’s like the majority of my fights. I really don’t know nothing about my opponents. I just know that he’s nine and one and he’s a southpaw; and, you know, he’s an up-and-coming fighter out in Canada.
And, I’ve got to fight and beat these kind of people.
Well, the only thing I know is that he’s fought the same two people that I fought, which was Alberto Mercedes and Aundalen Sloan. He actually knocked out Alberto Mercedes and he TKO’ed Aundalen Sloan, which I lost to both of them, but very controversially. One was with Alberto Mercedes, ‘cause I broke my hand, you know, in the second round, and I fought the third, fourth, fifth, sixth hurt; and, of course, the robbery split decision that this guy, Aundalen Sloan, won, which was a total robbery!
You know, he’s tough. In order for me to move up, I have to fight these kind of people, and especially at their hometown.
You know, I can’t be fighting like I did. I admit, that last guy that I fought, that guy was, like I said, four wins and like 36 or 38 losses. I mean, you’re not going to move up fast fighting those kinds of people. Yeah, you can pad your record and, yeah, it looks good. You’re—you know—20 and oh with 20 knockouts, but it always comes down to who did you fight and who was he? You know what I’m saying?
A lot of people build up their record. Yeah, they look good. Wow! 20 and oh, but who did they fight? Nobody.
And, this guy [Renan St. Juste], he’s nine and one, and he’s got five kayoes, and he lost a decision against—here goes a guy—Sammy Sparkman, who’s 16 and 14 with one draw.
So, I just got to take it to him, ‘cause in Canada, I’m not going to win a decision out there. I’ve got to go in there and non-stop action. I’ve got to stay on him, put the pressure on him, and hopefully I can take this guy into deeper waters.
This guy’s, like I said, nine and one [and] I’m fighting him at his hometown. I’ve got to make some noise. I’m on a two-fight winning streak. My performance with Elvin Ayala [a stoppage loss] wasn’t good. Of course, I had two more fights after that, which was Kendall Gould, which I stopped in the third round; and Tyrone Mack, which I fought in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So, you know, it’s going to be an interesting fight.
I mean, this guy, from what I saw, he seems pretty big, built, he’s muscular, but looks isn’t everything.
It may look intimidating, but you can see my record. I don’t want to say that I’ve fought everyone. I definitely didn’t stay at home and fight just in Chicago. I fought in Florida; I fought in Wisconsin—I fought in Green Bay and Milwaukee; [and] Connecticut. Now, I’ll be fighting in Canada.
So, like I said, I’m 29 years old and I have to fight these kinds of fights.
I was supposed to fight Brian Vera on the 16th of this month, which is another guy who’s eight and oh with like six knockouts. Brian Vera out from Ft. Worth, Texas [Editor’s note: www.boxrec.com lists him at 8-0 with six knockouts and hailing from Austin, TX]. But, [for] money reasons, I wasn’t going to go out there and fight for chump change.
But this fight, I’m actually making more money than fighting that eight rounder, which I was getting offered less money.
I’ve been in shape. I haven’t fought since November, I kept myself in shape, and it’s time for me to fight. I figured all the cards were booked here. I talked to the matchmaker here. I even told the promoter [Dominic Pesoli] here. I said, ‘Listen, I want to fight.’ All the cards were booked. You know, they’re having some fights here in Cicero with Telefutura coming up within the next month. You know, February, they’re having three fights, but they’re all booked. So, I said, ‘You know what? I’m in shape.’ I told my coach, ‘Start making some phone calls,’ and he got this fight.
Of course, it’s not going to be an easy fight, but I have to take that chance. That’s what it’s all about, taking chances. You never know when you’re going to get that opportunity. Of course, I’m not saying take any stupid chances! But, I think this guy’s pretty much the same level and [may the] best man win.
He’s a good southpaw, it’s in his hometown, and his record speaks for itself, so. It should be a good fight.
J.A.: Did you see footage of him at http://www.onthesetstudios.com/links.html ?
Yes, I did! They’ve got several fights of his there. He looks good. He looks intimidating. But, you know what they say: The bigger they are the harder they fall.
Of course, if you see a guy who’s fat and out of shape, you’re not going to take him seriously. However, you never take anyone lightly. Look at [Julio Cesar] Chavez. He was never ripped up or cut up, but he always came in shape.
Never sell anyone short. They have two hands. They can hurt you. Records are deceiving.
This guy is ranked higher than me. He’s ranked something like 133 or 123. I’m ranked 157. He’s ranked about 20 people higher than me. This guys better than me, rank-wise. If I beat him, I go onto the next guy.
I’m going to be fighting two people: I’ll be fighting him and his home crowd.Whenever you go to someone’s home, it’s never easy.
[However], If you do everything the coach tells you to do, you’ll do all right. George Hernandez is my coach. I’d just like to thank him for getting me ready for this fight mentally and physically, and believing in me.
I’m 2-and 0 with southpaws. Hopefully I’ll be three and oh.
JA: How is training going?
DE: Training’s been going well. I’ve been sparring with Eddy White this week, and I’ve been looking good. Eddy White’s a former IBO champion [Editor’s note: He was the IBO Super Middleweight champion, which he won by beating Dwight Davidson in 1996. He now fights at light heavyweight]. He’s 19-0 with 11 kayoes.
We went eight rounds today. I did four rounds on the pads right after we finished sparring. And, I did one round of just throwing right hands on the heavy bag, and of course, working the double end bag and the speed bag. And, that was it. Tomorrow, we’re going to be sparring another eight then. It’s good.
Eddy White is tall, he’s big, he’s slick, and he’s kind of awkward, but this is what I need. You want to get better, you’ve got to spar with better people. I just want to prevail and
I actually have been in shape for the last couple weeks, but I haven’t been sparring with southpaws. But, now that I’ve found out that I’m fighting, I’ve been sparring with Eddy White.
Of course, about a week ago, I went to Windy City and I sparred with Ottu Holifield.
I’ve been sparring at least eight rounds and I’ve been doing 10 times 12 altogether.
You know, every fight, I come in shape.
JA: What are you doing differently for this fight?
DE: I’ve been doing a lot of interval training. I usually don’t run that much, but I’ve been running, ‘cause I want to move on up, I want to fight the bigger, longer rounds. I want to fight 10 rounds.
I’m still lifting weights with my personal trainer. I’m training with “Glen and Julie’s Real Exercise” out in Wadsworth, Illinois.
And, of course, every week, I’m always seeing my chiropractor, Dr. David C. Smith of “Chiro-Systems.”
These guys put me all together with [regards to] strength, conditioning and aligning my back and making me feel good, getting me aligned. You know, getting hit with all those jabs all the time can get you off track!
Pretty much, I’ve been running about five miles every day. And I don’t really run a lot.
My personal trainers don’t like for me to run that much, neither. [He] says, ‘You’re not a runner! Okay, you are a boxer; if you want to get in shape for boxing, well, spar a lot and hit the heavy bag.’
I feel better when I run. Me, personally, I feel better in my legs and my conditioning. But, honestly, he doesn’t like that I run that much. Because if you want to be a runner, what do you do? You run; you’re not going to go box. If you want to be a long distance runner, you have to run. You’re not going to be lifting weights or playing football. Every sport has its give and take, you know.
You know, if your tooth hurts, you’re not going to go to a lawyer. You’re going to go to a dentist.
I’ve been running at least—at least, at average—no less than three miles every day. I know that for a fact. For the last two weeks, I’ve been running at least four miles. And, on a day that I’m sparring, I usually run two to three. The days that I’m sparring, two to three, the days that I’m not sparring, I run five miles. And I rest on Sunday.
Twice a week, I see my [personal] trainer, and once a week, I see my chiropractor.
Right now, I’m walking around at 164 pounds, and my weight’s going to be at 160. So, I’m actually right there. I don’t like to get myself out of shape.
JA: Any predictions on this fight?
DE: This is going to be a good fight. Honestly, I feel an upset [win] and, we’ll see which “Weezel” comes out.
This game is mental. A lot of it is mental. At least, to me it is. Yeah, you can have the body. Yeah, you can hit hard. But, it’s how you feel. It’s mental. It’s all in the mind. I just got to stay focused and pretty much let my hands go. And, as you can see, if I let my hands go, there’s no stopping me.
That’s the bottom line: Letting my hands go, staying focused, and set away all distractions. As of now, that’s what I’ve been doing.
The main thing is getting mentally prepared for the fight. It’s nothing personal; it’s business. After that, we can go have some coffee, donuts and ice cream. I’m in there to go as high as I can and of course become a champion, if I can, and of course make money.
JA: Can you describe your typical diet?
DE: Pretty much, I just watch what I eat and the times that I eat. I eat normal. Well, I don’t know what’s normal for everyone; I’m not talking about Twinkies and stuff!
Pretty much in the morning, I wake up, I eat me a bowl of cereal, or have me oatmeal with two boiled eggs and, sometimes, a fruit. A couple hours later, I’ll snack—I’ll get me another fruit and a yogurt. And, I might cheat a little bit and get me a nice little fruit rollup or what have you. [When] lunchtime comes, I’m eating a nice little sandwich. I don’t have no mayonnaise on that stuff. I just eat it plain. If I’m in a rush and can’t have me that sandwich, I’ll have me a “Metrix Meal Replacement Shake.” And, I’m off to training and stuff. You know, I come back home after training, I have me a nice, big meal. Like today, I had me some steak grilled, not fried. You know, that’s pretty much it.
And, in a few [minutes], I’m going to go running, again. That’s part of it. So, I’m goingto take a nice little run to burn pretty much—you know, I burn a lot of calories with boxing, walking around, running, and all that stuff.
And, of course, I take some supplements, vitamins: You know, 1500 milligrams of MSM Glucostamine for the joints; and “Ester-C”—vitamin C for your immune system. My chiropractor has me on some “Ester-C” and MSM.
Glucostamine is really good for your joints. If people have aches on their joints, it helps strengthen it up. It’s really good for your joints. Sometimes, people, their joints get stiff. I mean, I’m even telling you: you should take MSM Glucostamine!
Then, of course, then I take “Mega-min” multivitamins. I take that every day, every day, every day with food. And twice a day, I take it. I take good care of myself.
JA: Tell me about more about whom you’ve been sparring:
DE: Eddy White, who’s a southpaw like this guy, has been prepping me up and getting me ready.
Eddy White (right) and David Estrada engage in lively sparring
Eddy White’s also a great counter puncher and he’s got the pop in his hands and he’s been giving it to me. He’s one of the best counter punchers here in Chicago. He’s been helping me out a lot and hopefully I’ve been helping him out.
I sparred several times with Cedrick…and Ottu Holifield a couple times. Most of my work’s been with Eddy White. I’ve got about 35 rounds with Eddy White. I probably got four rounds with Cedrick and four rounds with Ottu Holifield.
JA: What’s next, assuming all goes well against St. Juste?
DE: If all goes well after that, the promoter out there’s going to have another show, I believe, on the 23rd or something like that. Depending on how I feel, if I can knock him out, I’ll fight [there] the same month.
If I have cuts or my eyes are swollen, banged up, of course, I’m going to take some time off to let it heal. But, I don’t think it’s going to get to that. It depends on the outcome of the fight. It depends on how my body feels. Was it a tough fight? Was it an easy fight?
Of course, always, my number one answer would be stay busy. That’s what I want to do for 2006 is I want to stay busy. I want to have at least seven fights this year. And, of course, win! I want to win, win, win.
There’s no money in boxing right now. The only way your going to make money is if you went to the Olympics, won the Gold, Silver or Bronze [medals]. Or unless you can sell a lot of tickets like [popular white heavyweight] Joe Mesi did in New York.
The way to make money is to be the best, make some noise beating good fighters.
I’m in it to become a world champion, make some money and get out when I still have some marbles.
Estrada (right) connects with a right on White
I’m giving it 110 percent. Hopefully, I’ll come home with a victory!
JA: Tell us about the classes you are taking in college.
DE: I’m also back in school at Wright College—that’s where the ‘Wright people go”—so that’s the good news! [Laughs] I’m taking physical education. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be a P.E. teacher if the police thing don’t work. I’m just getting basic college credits and, in order to become a police, you need 60 credit hours—which I hear they may be lowering the standards to 30. Right now, I have 18, and I’m taking two classes right now. So, I’ll have 22 credits. It’s very easy; it’s physical education. So, who knows? Maybe I’ll be a physical education instructor or teacher. And, I’m already doing personal training. I’m going to become certified pretty soon. It’s all in that same area, that same field.
JA: You’ve been in a serious relationship for a while now, haven’t you? How is that affecting things?
A more romantic Estrada (photo courtesy of David Estrada)
DE: Yeah, I’ve been with my girlfriend, Francie, for a bit over two years now. She’s been supporting me with boxing. You know, it’s kind of hard, but for doing it all. But, every [bit of] money that I can get, I give to her.
I have a very beautiful girlfriend. I live with her. She’s a real estate [agent]/appraiser. So, if you know anyone that’s interested in selling or buying or getting their house appraised, you let me know!
[Turning to Francie, he says] Do you have anything he can put on to contact you at, www.dot?
She’s like, ‘No!’ [Laughs]
Right now, I’m going to school and I’m living with her. Either I go to school or box now. She’s kind of got the burden on her shoulder right now financially. You know, I’m paying her, but I contribute, whether it’s doing basic house stuff and the little bit of boxing money that I make and personal training on the side, ‘cause I’m also a personal trainer on the side. And whatever needs being done, whether it’s shoveling, whether its carpet, whether it’s cleanup.
Francie (photo courtesy of David Estrada)
It’s the other way around: She actually wears the pants in the house and I’m really the woman in the relationship! [Laughs] You know, I do the cooking and cleaning and she does all the hard work. It shouldn’t be like that, but that’s how it is.
Like I said, this is why I’m taking fights like this. This is why I’m going back to school. Of course, I want to further my education and make money, and that’s why I’m going back to school.
And, of course, I would like to win this fight and that’s how you can make more money, by beating these kind of people. It’s not by fighting stiffs.
In order to make money, you’ve got to hear, ‘Hey, did you hear David Estrada beat this guy? Did you hear David.’ You know, you want people to say, ‘Man, that’s a good fighter.’
Things are going good between us. Thank you.
You got any more questions for me? I haven’t been on Cyber Boxing Zone in like three months! [Laughs] I see a lot of Miguel Hernandez! I’m just joking! [Laughs]. Which is good.
He’s my guy. I wish him the best. He’s got a pretty tough fight coming up, a couple days before me. [Editor’s note: Miguel Hernandez will fight Ryan Davis in Miami on Friday, February 10th]
David and Francie after his 14th fight, a TKO win over Kendall Gould (photo courtesy of Francie)
JA: Any last thoughts?
DE: Tell Miguel Hernandez this: Good luck, Miguel, in your upcoming fight. Handle your business (you know what I’m talking about). I won’t be there at your fight, but you’ll hear me screaming from Chicago. Hard work pays off for those who train hard, cause Austin 3:16 ‘Stone Cold’ says so! [Laughs]
[In regards to Renan St. Juste], I feel honestly that it’s going to be an upset. I’ve just got to put it in my mind and, once I put it in my mind, there’s no stopping me—not even you, Juan! [Laughs]
We’ll see what happens. It’s a week away as of Saturday. I’m leaving Thursday, getting there Friday for the weigh-in, and show time on Saturday.
Last but not least, I’d like to thank the fans in Chicago for supporting me. I’m coming back with a win for you! Don’t give up on me; I haven’t given up on you guys.
Don’t look at the old Weezel; look at the new 'Weezel.' He’s going to let his hands go, he’s a killer. There’s no fights of mine that are boring. It will not be a boring fight. In nine of my wins, seven of them are by knockout. Only two of them went the distance.
Those two that went the distance, I was able to knock them down.
I’m not a boring fighter; I’ve got the reach, I’ve got the skills.
I also want to thank: My girlfriend, Francie, for her support; Eddy White, for sparring; Tom Younan, who’s also a junior middleweight who’s been helping me out; and David at the gym for helping me on the pads; of course, Omar for motivating, pushing me to go running; my coach, Jorge Hernandez; and the whole team at Garfield Park.
Photographer Tom E. Barnes can be reached at:
Tom E. Barnes
630-784 1547 Cell 630-258 8930
www.tomba-images.com Glendale Heights, IL
