Jorge Linares, a 3 division world champion returned to Venezuela after 4 years, this visit allowed him spending time with his people, and through a press conference.
“El Niño de Oro” talked about his current boxing status and for his goals for this 2020, which main objective is becoming World Champion in the Lightweight division to regain his elite fighter status.
“I promised Gilberto Jesús Mendoza (WBA President) that no matter how, this year I’ll become champion one more time, not only for the WBA, but also for my country and my family”, said Linares in a conference which was broadcast through the World Boxing Association youtube channel.
The 34 year-old fighter made a retrospective of his life and carreer, he went into details on how he got his opportunities and thanked Mendoza and his father, who is the emeritus president of the organism, for guiding him through this long and complicated path to greatness. He also expressed his gratitude for the support WBA is providing to amateur boxing throughout the world and especially to his country, Venezuela.
“I have always mentioned Gilberto Jesus Mendoza that thanks to him, and thanks his father that I am where I am. It wasn’t only my father, who introduced boxing to me, but my family that gave me the opportunity to go to Japan with only 16 years old, my mother, siblings. I always tell Gilberto that I don’t know how grateful I am with him and his father for having taken me to Japan and helping me out. I keep asking for him the opportunity as a boxer and that he keeps supporting amateur and professional boxing, which we have always loved. The best I can do as am athlete is proving that there is still more of Jorge Linares for the future and obtaining a new WBA title’ said tje Barinas native.
Linares Knocked Carlos Morales out on February 14 in 4 rounds in a bout that we could see a stronger and explosive Linares. The venezuelan assured that all of that was because of a series o elements that surrounded him during the preparation for that fight celebrated in Anaheim California.
“I made some adjustments in my career, personally, and more importantly psychologically. Returning to Japan, where I started my career, working with my younger brother Carlos, who is my official trainer and the best Teiken Promotions trainer. Everything has worked excellent for me, that decision was taken after the loss against Cano. I made my comeback in September facing a Philippine in Tokyo, and now that great performance I had with Carlos Morales back in February, a fighter who complicated things for Ryan García, and once again we stole the show. That means a lot to me, because I now feel myself prepared to be back un the big leagues.
The 4 world title owner in 3 different weight classes also talked about his plans for the immediate future: “Now I hear some names like Ryan García and Luke Campbell for a second fight. There are many good opponents in the 135 division and that was why I felt motivated to be back to this weight class.
Linares will spend a few days im Venezuela, and he has gathered with several authorities of different organizations to talk about the impulse and support to boxing in his country, a goal he has well traced to contribute with Venezuelan fighters in both amateur and professional boxing.
