"The whole reason for why I am in the tournament is to win the tournament. Since the fall, I have been wanting to fight Perez again and take him out and get my title back. After I take him out, I want to fight Abner Mares and Vic and win the whole tournament. That is what I want to achieve...Not wanting to fight the best in your weight class makes you a coward. You're supposed to be in the tournament to show you can rock it and then claim you are the best," stated former IBF Bantamweight Champion Jospeh Agbeko, who is very excited about the upcoming Bantamweight tournament. In his first matchup, Agbeko has a rematch with Yohnny Perez, who took his Banatamweight title last fall. You don't want to miss what he had to say about the rematch, the tournament, and much more, including his thoughts on Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire turning down an opportunity to participate. Check it out!
EB: How you doing Champ? How is training going for you?
JA: Training is going good. I already started training camp in New York.
EB: Are you excited about the tournament and the rematch with Perez? Are you going for the KO?
JA: I'm very very excited about it. I don't predict KO. Everything I'm preparing for is to win, either by KO or points. I want to be strong and if the KO comes, it comes; if not, I will win.
EB: What do you think your chances are of winning the whole tournament?
JA: Very good. The whole reason for why I am in the tournament is to win the tournament. Since the fall, I have been wanting to fight Perez again and take him out and get my title back. After I take him out, I want to fight Abner Mares and Vic and win the whole tournament. That is what I want to achieve.
EB: Who is the best fighter, besides you, in the tournament?
JA: Well, in this tournament, all the fighters are good. Vic, Abner Mares, Perez, they are all very good in their own way, and tough. We are all in this tournament, it is small, and we all have our own special qualities. That's what makes this tournament tough.
EB: What did you think of Donaire and Montiel passing on the tournament? Were you disappointed you wouldn't get to fight them in the tournament? I mean, they will say they are the best, but didn't get in the tournament.
JA: Yes, I was very disappointed in them not wanting to fight in the tournament. Montiel always says he wants to fight, but not one of the champions. This tournament is a big chance. I guess they didn't get the fights they wanted, so Montiel pulled out then Donaire pulled. Not wanting to fight the best in your weight class makes you a coward. You're supposed to be in the tournament to show you can rock it and then claim you are the best. It's a shame, you know?
EB: After the tournament, you want to get one of the other two guys, then do you plan on moving up in weight?
JA: I plan on moving up to Super Bantamweight, then Featherweight. Right now, I am focusing on the tournament. Because its not that big of a tournament in number of fighters, I just want to fight my competition and focus on winning the tournament, then figure out what to do then.
EB: Anything else you want to say to your fans.
JA: I appreciate their support. They are always behind me, and now, coming back to fight Perez, I appreciate their support and I am going to make them proud.
EB: I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to talk to me. Good luck with the tournament and we will speak soon.
JA: Thank you very much.