When and why you started boxing:
Before boxing, I had practised Wing Lam kung fu for two years. I loved the fighting aspect, but since we didn’t go hands-on, I wanted to try something else. When I was 13, I asked my dad if I could try boxing. He said to me: ‘Yes, but if I don’t see any improvement after one month, I’m taking you out, because you don’t play boxing.’ I’ve trained hard ever since.
Favourite all-time fighter:
A combination of Erik Morales because of his attitude in the ring, Juan Manuel Marquez because of his counter-punching and Oscar De La Hoya because of his jab.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales I – back-and-forth action.
Personal career highlight:
Winning the WBC Continental Americas super-featherweight title in November 2016 in Las Vegas [with a nine-round technical decision over Casey Ramos].
Toughest opponent:
Cesar Valenzuela. He was taller than me and he tested my chin, but I managed to win by fifth-round KO [in January 2015].
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
I’m very well rounded. I can be a boxer, a counter-puncher, an aggressive fighter or an elusive mover. At this point in my career, I won’t state my weaknesses. I stay true to myself and work on them every day.
Training tip:
Work harder than everybody around you and you’ll be successful.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
I like pizza with hot Buffalo wings, but not from any restaurant in particular.
Best friends in boxing:
Everyone who walks me out to the ring – my dad Sifredo Vences, my little brother Oscar Vences, my trainer Angel Cordon Snr, my trainer’s son Angel Cordon Jnr, my cutman Mike Bazzel, my marketing advisor Hector Ruiz and my photographer Julio Sanchez.
Other sportsman you would like to be:
I’d only be a pro boxer.
Last film/TV show you saw:
The movie, Creed.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Sylvester Stallone.
Have you ever been starstruck:
Not yet.
Last time you cried:
When I lost my manager, Herb Stone, in 2017. I truly miss him every day.
Best advice received:
My dad always tells me to invest my money.
Worst rumour about yourself:
That I can’t fight and I’m boring.
Something not many people know about you:
I’m a very mean person in the ring, but very cool outside it.
