Carlos Musquez can’t wait to get back in the ring, but Saturday
night’s fight will be no breeze in the park.
Gilroy – Carlos Musquez can’t wait to get back in the ring, but Saturday night’s fight will be no breeze in the park.
Facing Eloy Perez in the semi-main event, one of six scheduled fights called “THE RIOT” at San Jose Civic Auditorium, Musquez (3-1-1) will be battling a polished boxer that boasts an 8-0-1 record. Adding difficulty, Musquez has had to brush off distractions leading up to the bout.
“I came down with a bit of a bug last week,” Musquez said. “It kind of hampered a few days of training. I was pretty much in bed for two and a half days.”
Refusing to cancel the fight, Musquez’ camp requested that the weight-in limit be bumped up from 132 pounds to 134.
“I haven’t fought since March and there were a few fights in between (that didn’t work out) and I really hated to call it off,” Musquez said.
According to the 1995 Gilroy High School graduate, who expects to have 60-70 friends and family members show up for support, fatigue will not be a factor.
“Strength-wise I feel good. You start cutting down in weight and energy levels start to go back up,” Musquez said.
Being fresh on his feet is an important part of Musquez’ plan entering the fight. He has won all three of his victories by way of flooring his competition, but lost his last bout by decision. He attributes the defeat to getting caught-up looking for the knockout rather than methodically wearing away at his opponent.
At Wednesday’s press conference, Perez, who has been training in “Sugar” Shane Mosley’s gym in Big Bear, said he was hoping to set a similar trap for Musquez.
“Every punch with him is a hard-knock shot,” Perez said. “Hopefully he reaches and I’ll just counter.”
Having heard similar descriptions of his style, Musquez fired back with his own assessment.
“Because I’ve gotten all knockouts on my wins, they might be under the impression that I’m kind of a slugger. But I can do either or, I can go inside and outside.”
Perez describes himself as a stick and move, counter-attack style of fighter. He hails from Washington state before relocating to California to advance his career.
With only a day between him and a pivotal battle in his boxing career, Musquez has begun to prepare mentally. Part of that process requires separating himself from his wife and five children the night before the fight.
“I just lock myself in the room,” Musquez said. “There’s really no eating or drinking and you’re kind of grouchy anyway. You’re focused on the fight. Rest and relaxation get you through it.”
Perez differs in his routine, saying he goes to Blockbuster and rents movies to take his mind off what lies ahead.
With each fighter’s future in the sport hanging in the balance, fight fans should expect one hell of a show.
