Noemi Bosques, 32, will engage in what she herself says is definitely the biggest fight of her career on May 29th. Bosques, 8-2-2(2) will face the unbeaten Heather Hardy on the under-card of Amir Khan-Chris Algieri in Hardyโs hometown of Brooklyn, New York.
A big fight for womenโs boxing, Bosques is hugely motivated for the challenge.
How familiar are you with Heather Hardy, is she a fighter you have seen lots of and know well?
Noemi Bosques: Oh, absolutely. I have followed her, even from when she was an amateur. Sheโs a really tough girl. She is in a bigger division than me at super-bantamweight so I never thought we would actually fight, but this is a huge opportunity, one I just had to take.
She told me her toughest opponent to date was Nydia Feliciano, who you lost a split decision to in your last fight back in March. Was that a fair result do you think?
I donโt think she won the fight. I think I won, or at the very least it should have been a draw. But it was my fault, I let it get way too close. Iโd definitely love to fight here again and Iโm sure I could beat her, hands down. I was actually sick the whole week of the fight (laughs). I would never use that as an excuse, I went ahead with the fight, that was my decision. Sometimes as a fighter you have to suck it up and get through a fight. I had so much invested in the fight; what with ticket sales and everything. But absolutely Iโd love a rematch.
I read how you feel you have had the best camp of your career for this fight. Why is that, have you been doing things differently for this fight?
Yes. Iโve been working with Tony Morganโฆ..
Who trains Willie Monroe Junior, he was very brave against Gennady Golovkin wasnโt he?
Yeah he was, heโs one of my favourite fighters right now. I worked with Tony Morgan for a week in San Francisco and Iโve also been training in White Haven and also in California, at Beautiful Brawlers. Those girls are tough! So Iโve had awesome sparring. This is the first time Iโve actually left my home to train, and Iโve not had to deal with ticket sales, Iโve not had to pick my child up from school, Iโve not had to look after my grandmother at home. Iโve been training twice a day. Iโve been doing lots of running. This week will be an intense week, with lots of sparring, then next week Iโll relax ahead of the fight.โ
Is it fair to say this is easily the biggest fight of your career?
Absolutely. If and when I win this, it will be huge; not just for me but for womenโs boxing. This is a huge fight for womenโs boxing. She [Hardy] has a real big following, sheโs on mainstream TV, which is rare for womenโs boxing. She sold $30,000 worth of tickets for her last fight. This is easily the biggest fight card Iโve been a part of.
Is her WBC international super-bantamweight title on the line?
No, they didnโt put that on the line. Maybe they were too nervous to do that. It doesnโt really bother me. Iโm sure theyโll want a rematch [after I win this fight] and I think theyโll offer it to be a title fight then.
How many rounds is the fight scheduled for?
Eight rounds.
Have you had enough time to get ready? When was the fight offered to you?
Iโve had around five weeks, which is a decent amount of time. Ideally I like to have eight or nine weeks but I always keep myself in good shape. And itโs good that the fight is at a higher weight division [than I usually fight at], as I donโt have to stress about losing weight.
Heather says she can be her own worst enemy in that she takes punishment so well and engages in tough fights. Do you see a war or a slugfest type of fight on May 29?
Not from me, no. Thatโs not the way I fight. I donโt get into slugfests. I like to fight smart. I know she likes coming forward, throwing bombs and I know I have to be smart and I have to be busy. I canโt let her out-work me. But I will not stand in front of her and trade, that is just stupid, especially with me being the smaller girl.
Your fight is on the Amir Khan-Chris Algieri card of course. How big a star is Khan in America and what do you think of him?
Absolutely heโs a big name. Heโs one of the best in his division right now. Iโd definitely have him ranked in the top-six at the very least.
And Hardy is fighting at home in New York. Do you expect a hostile crowd?
Yeah, sheโs got a huge following. I know the majority of the crowd will be cheering for her. I will have some friends and family there supporting me.
Weโve both supported each other and now itโs time to face each other. It will be a hard fight and weโll both come out of it having given our best. Itโs just a case of may the best woman win.