Rocky Juarez is preparing for his rematch against undefeated featherweight champion Chris John. The fight is scheduled for September 19, on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight. Juarez, 28 (20) – 4 – 1 is looking for a breakout win after coming up short against some of the biggest names in the sport over the last several years.

We're just about a month out from your rematch with Chris John, how's your training going?

RJ: Training is going great man. Basically I never stopped training after he cancelled the previous fight.

So you feel like you'll be in great condition by the time the fight rolls around…

RJ: Oh definitely, and I think everything happens for a reason. For whatever reason he wasn't able to fight the last fight. I'm not one to say because I don't know for sure, but it gave me that much more time to prepare myself for him.

So you think it was an advantage for you to have that fight cancelled?

RJ: Well, I could see it in a lot of ways… But it just benefits me more to prepare for him.

How do you feel in general, with your health and your vision, obviously you had the surgeries a couple of years ago…

RJ: Well my vision isn't 100%, but it's definitely improved since the surgery. I feel like t just gives me a better look (laughs) at where the punches are coming from. I really don't think about it, I don't think about my vision when I'm in the ring.

What are you working on that's going to change the outcome of this fight as compared to the first meeting?

RJ: Well, you know this fight I'm going to be throwing more punches. I'm going to be more prepared. We're working on a certain style, Ronnie [Shields, his trainer] has me doing something specific for the fight. So I just continue doing it during sparring and picturing it working and it should help out come September 19th.

So you have some new tactics for this fight?

RJ: Oh definitely, you always want to fight a different fight, every fight. I know Chris John is going to come out with a different fight, so you have to expect the unexpected.

Did you think a draw was fair in the first fight? I'm sure you've gone back and watched it, how'd you feel about it afterwards?

RJ: I felt, even after watching it, I felt that I had won the beginning of the fight, the beginning rounds of the fight. I knew I had given up, and I said it even after the fight in the interview, when I got cut… it kind of just kept me on the defensive side and I gave up maybe two, three rounds, at least two or three rounds.

I felt that it affected the outcome of the fight. I felt that if I had been not so much worried abut the cut and trying to be cautious and careful to not be hit in the same spot and continued fighting with my game plan I would have definitely come out with the victory in the fight. I think I would have probably even maybe dropped him because he was so out of it at the end of the fight.

Are you more comfortable at featherweight or did you move back down solely for the opportunity to fight John?

RJ: Well, I've been jumping up and down for the last four or five years in my career. Being given the opportunity for the world title, and me being blessed with this many shots at a title, which I feel like I've earned but at the same time I feel very fortunate to be with a great manager like Shelly Finkel who gives me these shots… So I feel comfortable at 126 pounds, but it's a lot easier to make 130 pounds, so either way I'm comfortable.

So you're ready to take any fight that comes at you in either of these classes right now.

RJ: Yea, when I was preparing myself for Chris John in California on the Victor Ortiz card… Chris John backed out and they were trying to find a replacement fighter. I told my promoters I would fight anybody, anybody at 126 pounds or 130 pounds as long as they were a right hander, no southpaws.

There were a lot of critics that came and talked trash about who am I to pick my opponent… but I wasn't picking my opponent, I was just saying no south paws for the fact that I hadn't trained [for that] and it was just four or five days away from the fight. So I had to turn down the money and the fight, not knowing when I was going to fight again. But I felt like I made the right decision and I was very confident. I'm 29 years old, I'm at a point in my career when I have to make the right choices.

Considering that, that you're closing in on 30 and have yet to win a world title, what are your long term plans in the sport? How much longer will you be a professional fighter?

RJ: I feel like once I win a world title man, come September 19th, I've always said to myself that winning a world title is going to make me a better fighter. It's going to make me always stay in shape… and I always am, I'm a gym rat, but it'll give me that little extra edge that I have to keep my title and they're gonna be coming after it. So I feel like once I win a world title I'm going to become a better fighter. Marquez was one of those fighters, it took him about eight, nine years to win a world title but once he became a champion he's been at the top of the game since.

You've mentioned the shots you've gotten… you've fought Marco Antonio Barrera twice, Juan Manuel Marquez and now this will be the second fight against Chris John. What have your fights against that caliber of world class opposition taught you?

RJ: To me it just shows to the fans and to the critics and to everyone that I've never ducked any fighter. Whoever the opponent is I'm willing to fight, just as long as I had time to prepare myself. I don't think I'm a fighter who's a tune up fighter, I don't like to look at myself like a tune up/step up fighter. I've been in this profession for going on nine years and I fought against the best fighters out there.

Barrera I thought I beat him the first team, he beat me the second time. Marquez, I went 12 rounds with an accidental, bad cut from the first round. Now that I think about the Marquez fight, I always wanted to have a rematch with Marquez. I was able to go the 12 rounds, he did beat me but people don't look at the fact that I suffered a bad cut from an accidental head butt, it wasn't a punch. Also, with my vision, having double vision for so long it had a big effect on the results.

After those losses have you ever sat back and thought, maybe I should take a couple of easier fights to build up a winning streak or…

RJ: No, no, no. Not at all man. When I lost the fight against Soto, I wanted a rematch against Soto. He's another big name fighter and he's definitely proven himself after beating me and giving me my first loss. I've always wanted to step in there and fight the best, top fighters. I've been blessed and very fortunate that I've been able to compete against top level fighters. I think fighting the best fighters proves to yourself where you belong. Basically, I'm going to win my world title. Even if that title doesn't happen to come my way, I'm always going to feel fortunate and blessed that I was able to fight the best fighters out there and never ducked anybody.

Staying busier and getting into an offensive groove are always priorities for you during your fights. Can you point to anything in some of those past fights that stopped that from happening once you get into the ring? You mentioned some of the cuts you suffered against John and Marquez for example, but is it a state of mind or is it something you can work on in training or what do you think about that?

RJ: Well I'm at a point in my career when I can't leave nothing behind. This is probably my last opportunity at a world title. I feel like I'm being given this opportunity by Golden Boy Promotions and Chris John as well, and my manger giving me this shot again. I feel like once I win this world title, I can be in the driver's side.

I can fight big name fighters and that's all I've cared to fight, big name fighters. Rafael Marquez is probably going to move up to 126 pounds, so I'm sure there's Mexican fans and boxing fans who'd like to see that, or even Israel Vazquez who I'm sure is probably ready to move up. So whoever, being able to fight big name fighters is something I've always loved doing. A step up to make me go to the gym and it pumps me up and puts a smile on my face when I'm going against these fighters.

So what can we expect to see from Rocky Juarez on September 19?

RJ: I'm going to come out there and one thing I know is I'm going to be throwing bombs and staying active. Chris John is a volume puncher, and I tell people yea he can punch, he can crack a little bit. He's a mover, very slippery but I think the fact that the fight isn't here in my hometown it takes a little bit of pressure away.

Fighting in Vegas on the undercard of a big card like Marquez vs. Mayweather… I've been in that, this ain't my first rodeo. This will be Chris John's second fight in the states, but first on the big show and people are going to be watching. So we'll see how he is going to come out and take it, and like I said this ain't my first time.

Thanks Rocky and good luck with the rematch.

This interview was conducted for Pro Fighting Fans and was also published on Associated Content.

Former lightweight champion Juan " Baby Bull" Diaz, 34 (17) – 2, is finalizing his preparations to meet Paulie Malignaggi, a fight to be televised on HBO on August 22nd. Diaz will be back in Houston, fighting in his hometown for the third straight time. Prior to his first real fight in the junior welterweight division, I spoke to Diaz about his upcoming fight, his career and his future.

We're less than two weeks out from your fight against Paulie Malignaggi, how are you feeling right now?

JD: I'm feeling great. I had a great day of sparring today. I have three guys that came in from out of the state. I'm feeling great and I'm excited to be back here in Houston once again and trying to make it back to the top.

This is your first fight at junior welterweight, at least since you were a newly professional fighter. Were you having trouble making 135 or was this just a matter of taking the best fight that was out there right now?

JD: I wasn't having no problem making the 135 limit, but this was the best fight out there for me. I believe that Paul Malignaggi is not at all taking a step down. I definitely want to fight the best out there even though in my last fight I was not successful, I didn't want to take a tune up fight or a warm up fight. I told my managers, look, I'm young right now, I have all of the energy in the world, so I want to fight the best.

Will you be at 140 permanently from here on out or will you be jumping around if you need to be?

JD: It all depends. I'm looking forward to the fight here in Houston on August 22^nd and it all depends. My biggest dream was to become a world champion. I did it four times, becoming a four time world champion. Now, I want to leave a mark in boxing. Before I leave the sport I want to make sure I leave a mark. I want people to know who Juan Diaz was in the sport. So I'm looking to fight the best guys, whether it's at lightweight or super lightweight it doesn't matter. I can make both weights comfortably.

Your academic pursuits and career aspirations are well known. How much longer can we expect to see Juan Diaz, the professional boxer?

JD: For me as a professional boxer, I believe I would give myself about three or four more years to really concentrate on the sport. Because I'm looking forward to being able to communicate and talk very well with my family… I don't want to be one of those boxers who can't communicate or understand their family members. So I'd say about three or four more years.

Back to the upcoming fight…has your training camp been any different this time around, knowing you don't have to get down to 135?

JD: The good thing I can tell you about is I can eat an extra meal at night… instead of eating cereal or fruit or salad, I can actually eat a full meal. Believe it or not, three and a half pounds actually makes a big difference. Right now I would be around 37 or 38 but instead I'm weighing 141, 142 right now because I don't have to drop those extra few pounds.

A little less hungry at night would go a long way I'm sure…

JD: (Laughs) Definitely, yea.

What do you think about your style will give Malignaggi problems?

JD: I think that my aggressive style is gonna be the key factor to victory. You see, what Paul Malignaggi likes to do is wait around, use his jab and punch and move, punch and move. But the question that is going to be asked and answered that night is can he go for 12 rounds. Because I can fight for 12 rounds, but can he punch and move for 12 rounds? That right there is gonna be the key to my victory.

So how do you see the fight playing out, you think your pressure is going to wear him out as you get to the later rounds?

JD: I believe my pressure, my body punching, is gonna be the key to everything. But I'm not gonna let him take advantage of the early rounds. I know from the beginning he is going to be able to punch and move. But if I let him win the early rounds that may boost up his confidence and confidence can take you a long way. If your confidence is built up by the later rounds he might not get tired. He might decide, hell, I'm winning, I'm not gonna stop whatever it takes.

You started your career 33-0, and now you've lost two of your last three. What does this fight mean for you and your career?

JD: This fight right here, I think I can establish myself as a true super lightweight. I think that this fight can show the fans that I can fight at lightweight or super lightweight and I want to make my mark in boxing and I want to fight the best fighters out there, whether it's at lightweight or super lightweight.

The two guys who defeated you, Nate Campbell and Juan Manuel Marquez have both moved up to junior welterweight as well. Will you be pursuing rematches with them or…

JD: Well, I think, frankly, I think that Nate Campbell's career is almost over. It was a controversial victory for Bradley but in a way I see where Campbell is coming from, he did get head butted. But, he quit. In the end he quit. And a lot of the fans and the TV men don't want to see a quitter in the ring. So I think that Nate Campbell's career is just about done. The main guy I would love to have a rematch with is Marquez. The only thing that still bothers me to this day from that fight is that the referee had to step in and stop the fight. I was knocked out…feelings weren't hurt, I feel great… but my pride as a boxer was hurt. I want to be able to get a shot and redeem myself.

If you get past Malignaggi on August 22nd, what's the plan for the rest of the year?

JD: In the perfect world, my plan would be to get back in the ring before the year ends. It would be great if I could fight the week right before Christmas or early December. But unfortunately that's up to my manager and my promoters and the TV networks, and they have to work that out. So in the perfect world like I said,  I would love to fight one more time again in December, but if it doesn't happen… I guess I'll enjoy the holidays…

…And you won't have to worry so much about what you're eating on Thanksgiving…

JD: (Laughs) Exactly…

Thanks for the time Juan and good luck on the 22nd.

This interview was conducted by Jake Emen for Pro Fighting Fans, and was also published on Associated Content.

Your opponent just changed, you're now set to face Efren Hinojosa. What do you know about him?

RG: Um, I have NO clue the style he has or anything. The one good thing I did out in Los Angeles getting ready for this fight is we prepared for a lot of different things. I didn't know too much about (previously scheduled opponent) Johnny Edwards either, so we prepared for a bunch of different styles.

You're just a few days out, what have your final preparations been like?

RG: Final preparations are just maintaining and staying hard, just getting zoned in and focused, making sure everything's sharp. Working pads and letting my whole body heal up.

In the last 15 months you've only been in the ring for a total of 2 rounds.  Do you feel like there's any rust at this point or do you have any other concerns with your body right now?

RG: I don't feel like there's any rust at all. Having good sparring, always staying active in the gym and not getting out of shape keeps you on top of it. And we're going to be ready and I don't feel no regrets or anything.

You mentioned you've been getting good sparring...who have you been sparring with during this training camp?

RG: I've been sparring with a guy, Art Hovhannesyan, he's an Armenian guy and a real tough guy. He was one of the sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao and he was sharp on the left handed stance already so it helped me out a lot, him doing rounds with Manny. He brought a lot of game to the table for sparring. And then also,another prospect that's on the undercard of the fight, Eloy Perez, helped me out a lot.

You get the opportunity to fight once again out of San Jose, are there added expectations this time out?

RG: I'm excited to come back and fight in San Jose again in front of the hometown crowd. You know... last time out it was unfortunate... the fight only went two rounds and they didn't get the show they deserved. I'm coming ready to fight and put on a show for them and I'm excited about it.

I'm sure you're sick of talking about that last fight (a No Contest due to a cut over his eye in the 1^st round), but maybe you could describe the injury and how frustrating that was for you...

RG: It was real frustrating... it was a bad cut, bad location. It was frustrating that I didn't get a chance to work. I didn't really get to go to work and put in the rounds and put up a good fight for the crowd. It was just unfortunate and you just gotta bounce back and be ready for the next one.

How long did the cut prevent you from seriously training?

RG: It was 23 stitches... I had to take a good month off and let it heal up and put no stress on it. It's all good now...I'm excited and I'm ready to go.

Are you viewing this fight as just another fight or are you viewing it as a major chance to really vault yourself back into the picture and maybe even shut people up a bit?

RG: Oh yea, there's a lot to prove and a lot of doubters to prove wrong. I'm going to come out and do what I've been doing for my whole career and since I've been a kid. Just come out and fight and do what I do best.

What's next after this fight?

RG: Right now I'm just concerned about this fight and getting this taken care of first.

So what do you think about Juan Manuel Marquez, a guy who until recently was at your weight class, taking on Floyd Mayweather?

RG: I think it's going to be a good fight, you know Marquez is on his game right now and his last two performances have been incredible with Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor. He's on top of it right now, he brings a lot to the table. He's a physical fighter and a technical boxer. He picks guys apart and I think he's going to put up a good fight with Floyd Mayweather and it all depends on how Floyd comes out of retirement and how he's looking. But the one thing about him is he's always in shape and always on top of it.

Any prediction?

RG: Just going to be a fan on that and just watch and see how the outcome comes out. It's going to be a good fight.

Thanks for the time and good luck on Friday.