At the turn of the year all was well for Steve Luevano he was looking forward to his biggest fight and pay day of a near 10 year career. He knew if he could add to his five successful defence’s with number six he’d move himself into a higher tax bracket. However things didn’t go well for the Californian native when he lost to uber talented Puerto Rican JuanMa Lopez via seventh round stoppage. Now fully rested one of Boxing’s quiet guys Luevano 29 hopes to soon be back in action and make some noise with some of the top guys at Featherweight. Here’s what Luevano had to say.
Hello Steve, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly it’s been nearly 4 months since you fought JuanMa Lopez, how have you been since that fight? What have you done with your time?
Steve Luevano – I’ve been good since then, i’ve not really done anything just hanging out and spending time with my family and my friends Baseball team.
Anson Wainwright – Do you have any idea when we may see your return to the ring?
Steve Luevano – Not at the moment, Cameron (Dunkin) hasn’t said anything or my trainer Robert (Garcia) he is the one who normally lets me know.
Cameron Dunkin – Steven will fight this summer and I have no doubt he will be champion again. Todd duBoef has told me he will support us (Steven, me and Robert) and I’m really excited for Steven. I think Juanma is a great fighter so there is no disgrace in Steven losing to him. Steven fought his heart out and he does in every fight.
Anson Wainwright – When would you like to be back in action?
Steve Luevano – Umm doesn’t really matter to me.
Anson Wainwright – You have been a career Featherweight do you think you’ll comeback at 126 or are you moving up to Super Featherweight? What is your weight now?
Steve Luevano – Whatever it’s doesn’t matter to me. I can make 126 still it they want to put me at 130 that’ll be even easier for me. I’m 20 pounds over my fighting weight.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use to train at?
Steve Luevano – Well my manager is Cameron Dunkin and trainer is Robert Garcia & my promoter is Top Rank. I train out of it was La Colonia but it’s now Garcia Boxing club.
Anson Wainwright – If we can touch on what you have done so far in your career how do you look back on your WBO title reign at Featherweight? What was your proudest moment?
Steve Luevano – The proudest moment was defending my WBO title 5 times. They gave me a ring for that and i know a lot of fighters don’t do that. For me that was the proudest moment.
Anson Wainwright – How good in your opinion is JuanMa Lopez?
Steve Luevano – He’s a good fighter, i always thought he was a good fighter. What i think of him, to me he’s just another fighter. He’s very tough fighter but i don’t think he’s the next Floyd Mayweather because nobody can be better than Floyd. But because he’s Puerto Rican Trinidad but he’s like Trinidad but he’s nowhere near as good as Trinidad.
Anson Wainwright – His next opponent will be another guy you fought Bernabe Concepcion how do you see that going?
Steve Luevano – I see it going pretty good. If Concepcion catches him with the punches he’s going to get in trouble because he hits hard. He (Concepcion) never really got me with a good punch until after the bell (Concepcion lost via seventh round DQ after a late punch) It’s going to be an interesting fight. If Concepcion can get him to brawl it’s better fight for him.
Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing on your comeback?
Steve Luevano – Getting a title back
Anson Wainwright – The Featherweight division is pretty hot at the moment with several top guys JuanMa Lopez, Chris John, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Elio Rojas & Celestino Caballero what are you feeling about your division being so hot at the moment?
Steve Luevano – It looks like better fighters are there and better paydays. To me I can still make 126 but if Cameron thinks i should move to 130 i’ll move to 130.
Anson Wainwright – Do you have anyone in mind that your targeting?
Steve Luevano – Chris John because it looks like he wants to make a break out and a name for himself so i wouldn’t mind that one.
Anson Wainwright – You train with Mikey Garcia he’s well thought of what can you tell us about how you assess his ability?
Steve Luevano – Oh Mikey is a really good fighter, very technical. His dad trains him not to fight like Robert did, because Robert was a brawler, he rarely boxed. With Mikey all he does is box, he’s very skilled. He has a lot of potential to beat those guys who are out there right now
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans and the Boxing public?
Steve Luevano – I’m just waiting on a date for my comeback.
Thanks for your time Steve, good luck in your comeback.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
