"There is somewhat of a size difference, but it's not that big of a deal. It's not something that big of a deal. It's not something I can't overcome. I think you are right. It has a lot more to do with mentally than physically. I feel like I can hang with any fighter out there. Just give me enough time to prepare and get ready and I will give anybody a tough fight. And I feel like, against Canelo, this is definitely a fight that I can win and I'm going to show it on the 15th of September...We're not worried about the weight at all and what most people don't know is I walk around at a heavier weight; heavier than most junior welterweights. I will feel comfortable at whatever wait I come in at. I will definitely be comfortable there," stated Josesito Lopez, who talked about his move up in weight for his September 15th showdown with WBC jr. middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Check it out!
PC: This has been a crazy year for you already and we are a little bit past halfway through it. How have you been dealing with all of this?
JL: Everything is pretty much the same. I got a lot more attention; that's about it. I'm back at home training, but things are the same way it's been for years. The difference is not too drastic.
PC: Everyone thought it was a stretch when you went up to 147 pounds to face Victor Ortiz. Now you go up to 154 to face Canelo Alvarez. They say boxing is 90% mental. You seem to rally off of that because size obviously isn't an issue to you.
JL: There is somewhat of a size difference, but it's not that big of a deal. It's not something that big of a deal. It's not something I can't overcome. I think you are right. It has a lot more to do with mentally than physically. I feel like I can hang with any fighter out there. Just give me enough time to prepare and get ready and I will give anybody a tough fight. And I feel like, against Canelo, this is definitely a fight that I can win and I'm going to show it on the 15th of September.
PC: Both you and Henry told me you saw things in Ortiz that made you think you can win that fight. Is this all mental coming into the Canelo fight as far as winning or do you see things you can exploit in his game?
JL: I have a lot of people that have faith in me and I'm starting to believe in myself; that's a big advantage and a big difference that I made in myself. But yes, like every fighter, there are definitely things I can work on to do great against a fighter like Canelo. He has his flaws, and like I said before, there are reasons why they haven't put him up against top notch fighters, fighters of good caliber, and I gotta go in there and find out the reason why.
PC: If you pull this off, this will be one of the craziest things to ever happen in boxing.
JL: That's definitely the plan, to pull it off. God works in great ways and if everything goes as plannedÂ…and we are definitely working hard to create shockwaves in the boxing world. We do plan on winning and that's what we are planning for. It's gonna be a shock to many people, but to my group and the people that believe in me, a victory is definitely within our reach.
PC: You seemed to take Victor Ortiz's shots pretty well. Obviously that is something you will have to showcase in the Canelo fight as well, the ability to take shots, because he is a bigger and stronger guy.
JL: Moving up to 47 against a strong puncher like Ortiz, we were somewhat worried about it, his power, because I had never been in a fight at 47 against a strong person like Ortiz. Once I knew I can definitely take his punch and I could open up more and not be so cautious, I wasn't too worried about it. It's the same thing going up to 54. He is a stronger fighter, but we can take a punch. We spar and train with bigger fighters. It's not too big of an issue. I don't know why. I guess I can take a punch.
PC: One thing that I like Henry is saying is that you guys are going to come in comfortable and not try to be at a certain weight on the scale to look like a 154-pound fighter. I think that's very important.
JL: Yeah! We're not worried about the weight at all and what most people don't know is I walk around at a heavier weight; heavier than most junior welterweights. I will feel comfortable at whatever wait I come in at. I will definitely be comfortable there. I don't have a plan to get to 54 or 53; whatever feels right is what I will come in at. The best thing about it is when the fight was announced, we had 2 months of preparation, so that's plenty of time to get a game plan and nutritional plan and to be as strong and in as good of shape as I can be in for the fight on the 15th.
PC: Are you finding yourself eating more or basically just not having to watch what you eat so much?
JL: Pretty much maintaining my weight, but I am eating more. I can double up on my protein. I'm eating more meats and it's definitely a change and different to what I'm used to. I don't need to cut down on my meals. I'm eating the same things I was before, but just doubling up on everything and whatnot.
PC: What is it like to be a part of a card of this magnitude during a Mexican holiday?
JL: It is a huge opportunity and, you know, I feel like I can do what most people don't think I can do. I need to prove it on the big show and a big weekend like this. Man, things couldn't be set up better for a great night of boxing.
PC: I wish you the best of luck. I commend you for your heart and keep me posted throughout camp. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
JL: I appreciate the few supporters out there that I have (laughing). But you know what? After September 15th, we got big plans and I know there will be a lot more people that believe in me, so I can't wait until then.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]