Status: Former WBO Welterweight champion and current top 10 contender. Ring record is 27-2 (21 KO’s).
Ht: 5-9 Wt: 147
DOB: November 6, 1976 In: Moca, Puerto Rico
Boxing Inspirations/Heroes: “Since I was a kid I was inspired by Wilfredo Gomez and (Edwin) Chapo Rosario.”
Nickname: El Indio.
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: Baseball, basketball, go to my kids’ baseball games.”
First Boxing Memory: “I won by knockout. It was a tough fight but a good experience. I remember I received a punch in the throat.”
Favorite Movie: “Gladiator.”
Last Book Read: “A book about Yamil Chade, one of Puerto Rico’s boxing promoters.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “From vanilla on…anything [smiles].”
Typical Breakfast: “Oatmeal, coffee.”
Favorite All-Time Fighter: “Pernell Whitaker, because of his style. And he’s lefty, I’m lefty too.”
Current Car: “A ’97 Toyota. I bought my wife a Pathfinder.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “My most successful fight was when I won the championship (d. Paul Williams for WBO 147 title).”
Most Painful Moment: “The worst was when I lost to Cotto – I was undefeated. And when I lost to Williams.”
Last Vacation: “A cruise.”
What Training Do You Do Between Fights: “Lift weights and run marathons.”
Where Do You Train: “Moca, Puerto Rico.”
Toughest Part Of Being A Successful Boxer: “That people get to know me and know how I am. Media attention.”
Funny Boxing Memory: “I was at home on the roof of my house. So I jumped down onto the trampoline on the ground. And what happened is, I fell and hit my back. And it was funny for everybody except for me [smiles].”
Embarrassing Boxing Memory: “As an amateur I was fighting in Dominican Republic. When I got up to the ring I got diarrhea. So I had to stop the fight. I had to start running out the ring. So, there the bathroom was open, so in front of everybody I had to go right there [laughs]. I didn’t care, I just pulled my pants down right there. I got disqualified, but that was the most funny moment in boxing.”
What Would You Be If You Weren’t A Boxer: “Accountant.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “That they be humble. That’s what I see the best quality in the person.”
Family: Wife, Moraima; three daughters, one son.
www.thebiofile.com