The Boxing Tribune caught up with welterweight prospect, Prichard Colon (1 -0, 1KO) ahead of his second professional fight. The Puerto Rican’s roots run deep in the sport and he brings an impressive amateur record with him (170 – 15) when he faces Patrick Thomas (debut) at the Bahia Shrine Temple in Orlando, Florida on March the 23rd. Colon comes across as very affable and had some interesting things to share regarding his past and his future…
Jesse Lardies: Hey Prichard, how are you doing? How’s training coming along?
Prichard Colon: How are you doing, Jesse? I’m feeling good, I just finished my morning work at the track.
JL: Did you make it to Florida yet?
PC: No, I’m having my training camp in Puerto Rico…I arrive on Monday.
JL: I noticed a photo of you as a kid posing with Felix Trinidad, can you tell me a bit about that?
PC: (Laughing) Yeah, it’s a great pic, I was maybe three or four years old – That was at his house. My father knew Felix since he was around 14 or 15 years old and actually sparred him because Trinidad senior trained my dad.
JL: Wow, it must have been great inspiration growing up with those kinds of memories.
PC: Yeah, my greatest inspirations growing up were Tito Trinidad and Macho Camacho.
JL: How does it feel going into your second fight as a professional?
PC: It feels great, I’m excited and ready to get in the ring…My last amateur fight was in Brazil at the Olympic Qualifiers and I didn’t fight for nine months, then last month was my pro debut. That only lasted 25 seconds so I’m really hungry to get some rounds in.
JL: Has Miguel Cotto inspired you in any way? He was a great Puerto Rican champion.
PC: It’s always an inspiration for me to see a Puerto Rican make it so far and become a world champion. They’re always an example to take and motivation to work harder. I made my pro debut last month on one of his cards so that was a nice experience.
JL: Do you know anything about your next opponent yet?
PC: I don’t know much about my opponent other than he’s 5’9″ and making his professional debut. His name is Patrick Thomas.
JL: As you mentioned, your last fight was very brief, did you take anything away from that short time?
PC: I’m just going to try and read this guy for the first round, I’m not going to try and rush anything.
JL: You have a great amateur record, do you find it to be a source of confidence when you’re training or fighting?
PC: Yeah, it brings confidence to me and reassures me that I’ve been through a lot and as long as I’m prepared I will always be ready. At the same time I understand that my opponent has two hands like me and he’s going to try and take my head off so I must stay on the lookout and never overlook someone.
JL: Excellent. Remember what happened to Amir Khan when he started overlooking people…
PC: Yeah, Amir had a great amateur background, Olympic medalist…But it’s a different game in the pros, it’s proven.
JL: Absolutely. So, at this point in your career are you still trying to improve your techniques?
PC: There is not a day that I stop learning, it’s all a process. I’m young at 20 and now I have to adapt from fighting internationally as an amateur with the point system to professional boxing. So I have a lot to learn, day to day we work on the small things.
JL: Has the change been tough to adapt to so far? Are your training regimens different now than before you turned pro?
PC: Not really. I mean, after the Olympic Qualifiers in Brazil I had nine months to work mentally, physically and emotionally for the change. We added a physical trainer to the team which has given me great results. I like it more in the pros, everything is more settled and relaxed. As an amateur you don’t have time to work your opponent and you kind of rush into things. Also, if you fall back a few points it’s over, in the pro ranks it’s not over until the final bell rings.
JL: So is this fight going to be at welterweight?
PC: The fight will be at welter, I will be making 147.
JL: Is this a division you are planning on staying in or do you see yourself rising to a different weight class eventually, you’re still quite young so either way it will probably be easy for you, how tall are you?
PC: Yeah, I’m almost 6’1″. I’m going to feel out 147. I make the weight well for now so I’ll stay there for as long as I can. For sure, though, I will be moving up to different weight classes in the future, I’m only 20 so as I mature my body will ask for more pounds.
JL: You are big for the division, that’s an asset.
PC: Yeah, I come out pretty tall so if I have to move up I’m sure my body will carry the extra weight well.
JL: Nice. I obviously know you love boxing but do you have anything in particular you are into outside of the sport?
PC: I’m into sports in general, I love watching sports especially international tournaments like the World Baseball Classic where Puerto Rico is playing and beat Italy last night in the elimination round! I also love to spend time with the family and go to the river with them and have a barbecue. I love quality family time when I’m away from boxing because that’s time I don’t have during training camps (Laughs).
JL: Are you a fan of boxing as well? Do you follow the sport?
PC: Yep, I’m always on the internet watching fights and reading articles. It’s all boxing 24/7 for me.
JL: Any particular fighters you love watching?
PC: My favorites are Tito Trinidad, Macho Camacho, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather.
JL: Do you think any or all of those guys influenced how you fight?
PC: Yeah, especially Camacho, Trinidad and Roy Jones, but I try to take a little from all of them – They are all smart boxers.
JL: I agree, it’s always the best to take what works from great people and apply it to yourself, find out what works for you and discard the rest.
PC: Exactly.
JL: It’s been a pleasure talking with you, Prichard. We’ll catch up soon.
PC: OK, keep in touch, talk to you later.
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