'El Matador' Ricardo Mayorga has long been one of boxing's most colorful and exciting personalities in the sport of boxing, winning as many fans as critics along the way for the way he taunts his way into his opponent's skin, his wild punching style, and his penchant for beer drinking and smoking after fights which was famously displayed on one of his HBO fights before a national TV audience. Mayorga has won championships in multiple weight classes and faced off with some of the most famous names between the middleweight and welterweight divisions such as Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas, and the late Vernon Forrest.Now Mayorga looks to test his mettle in the world of mixed martial arts as he faces off against veteran MMA fighter Din Thomas (25-8) on Saturday May 15th at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina under the flag of Shine Fight promotions. In typical Mayorga fashion he has declared that it is appropriate for him to be fighting at the Crown Coliseum as he has already been crowned a king in boxing and he will be crowned a king this Saturday night after taking out Din Thomas. 'El Matador' from Nicaragua with a record of 28 wins 7 losses and 1 draw has accomplished much in boxing and fans want to know if his participation in MMA signals the end of his involvement in boxing. The Blackeyed View recently caught up with the former champ by phone after a workout to interview him for IMPACTO Latin News. The interview was conducted in Mayorga's native tongue Spanish and the following is the English translation.
The BlackEyed View: Let's start with the one question your fans want to know. Will you return to boxing?
Ricardo Mayorga: Of course I will. Definitely.
TBEV: How did the idea to get involved in MMA come about?
RM: Well I've always loved to fight. As they say, those who are raised up in a poor neighborhood must know how to fight. I loved to fight and I fought often in the street before I became a boxer. I've always fought in boxing. I was given the opportunity [to fight in MMA] and I like it.
TBEV: Have you studied well the different disciplines involved in this sport [MMA] which uses lots of wrestling and judo holds?
RM: Of course, definitely, I have trained a lot.
TBEV: So you have cut out the smoking and the beer drinking?
RM: [Laughing] Yes of course, at once, absolutely.
TBEV: Your opponent Din Thomas is a veteran with lots of experience, how will you combat that experience and what do you think of him?
RM: Well I'm not going to take his experience lightly but I know that he will not be able to take me down and I will knock him out quickly.
TBEV: Many think that the greatest triumph of your career was when you defeated Vernon Forrest when he was at the prime of his powers. Last year Vernon was tragically killed in an attempted robbery. What can you tell us about Vernon Forrest the person and the fighter?
RM: Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to share moments with Forrest as a person outside of the ring but as a fighter I feel that Vernon was really strong and a great fighter.
TBEV: Nicaragua also lost a great idol of the sport last year when Alexis Arguello lost his life in what authorities have ruled a suicide. There has been reports mixed with rumors on the internet and other forms of media of a rift between the two of you. We'd like to get your thoughts on the ex champ and his loss.
RM: Well I don't like to speak on politics and rumors and regrettably he passed away. The fact is with Alexis Arguello I don't know what his problem with me was, I had nothing to do with him back then. The last word on Arguello that I can say is that he was a great fighter.
TBEV: One of your rivals, Shane Mosley recently lost to Floyd Mayweather two weeks ago. He appeared apprehensive and did not throw enough punches. Throwing punches has never been a problem for you, if offered a fight with Mayweather would you accept ......
RM: I've been actively looking for that fight with Mayweather.
TBEV: ....and what would you do differently than the others who have faced Mayweather?
RM: Throw more punches, you have to hit him with more punches. He [Mosley] had his chance to win against Mayweather, Floyd wasn't running but what happened was that he[Mosley] stopped punching and so he lost.
TBEV: How much longer will you keep fighting and what are your plans once your done?
RM: Two more years. The truth is I would like to retire from fighting altogether. The truth is I wouldn't want to be a promoter or a trainer at all. I would like to put up two good business and that's it.
TBEV: Thank you Ricardo for your time and we wish you the best of luck in your fight and hope to see you back in the sport of boxing very soon.
RM: I appreciate everything but as for luck, wish Din Thomas luck, I don't look for luck let others look for it.
Ricardo Mayorga vs Din Thomas will be seen live at 9 PM eastern on pay per view distributed by MultiVision Media this Saturday May 15th from the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster by calling 800-736-1420. Contact your local cable company or satellite provider to order.
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