Status: Lightweight contender. Record is 22-2 (14 KO’s). Will box Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero for the vacant WBO Inter-continental Lightweight title in the co-main event to the Judah-Matthysse clash on Saturday night in Newark, NJ, televised by HBO.
Ht: 5-8 Wt: 135
DOB: November 6, 1981 In: Woodland, CA
First Boxing Memory: “Shadowboxing in front of the mirror. About 13 years old. Just try and get in front of that ring and shadowboxing and knowing what the whole purpose was. Then as time goes on you learn more and what it’s good for.”
Inspirations: “My family. I fight for them and I fight for myself, for the love of the sport. It’s my passion, it’s what I like to do.”
Hobbies/Interests: “Snowboard. I love the beach. Love the cold. Being near the water, golf.”
Last Book Read: “I read the Bible a lot. Still in the process of reading ‘Boxer Henriquez – about an ex-Mexican mafia member in prison for life. He talks about the Mexican mafia, how they made moves in prison, out to the public. Pretty interesting how things work in prison – how it gets to the street.”
First Job: “Staples.”
First Car: “Black Thunderbird 1992.”
Current Car: “Toyota Tacoma.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I would say making the Olympic team (2004).”
Most Painful Moment: “My first loss. It came by surprise (L8 Daniel Jiminez in 2006).”
Funny Boxing Memory: “I really try to enjoy what I do, have fun during training inside the ring.”
Embarrassing Boxing Memory: “No. Not yet, hopefully let’s keep it that way [smiles].”
Strangest Fight: “Every fighter has a personality. Sometimes in the ring fighters get kind of overanxious, angry, or emotions show through. Sometimes when people get hit they make a funny face or do a funny move. But other than that, I don’t remember a strangest fight or opponent.”
Favorite Boxers To Watch: “De La Hoya. So many that I like to watch. Mayweather is very exciting. Pacquiao. The two most exciting right now, especially Pacquiao. Another guy who has really good technique is Juan Manuel Marquez.”
Which Fight Did You Feel At Your Very Best: “I would say my last fight (TKO 3 Carlos Urias). In Mexico. I was really, really comfortable, felt really good. It felt like I got that experience that I’ve been wanting and looking for. And now the people will really see the best of Vicente. (What punch got him?) Right uppercut followed by a left hook. But he was already on his way down. If I would have caught him with the hook he probably wouldn’t have got up. But he got up and I knocked him down again and they stopped the fight.”
First Famous Boxer You Met: “Loreto Garaza or Tony ‘The Tiger’ Lopez.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate cookie dough.”
Worst Injury: “Chipped my knuckle in Michael Katsidis fight (2009 L 12) in the third or fourth round. Fought the whole fight like that. It was the worst pain.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I like people to be positive. Like my promoter Oscar – it’s really good being around him. He brings that positive energy. He’s a person I really idolize inside the ring but as well outside the ring. What he does for his people, for the public, helping the people that need the help, that’s something I admire. And something I’d really like to do if I can, when I retire from boxing.”
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