By Bernard Aguirre
I had heard about Adrian Granados on the boxing scene here in Chicago. His inclusion on local fight cards and the victories he has earned, they sounded impressive. When I contacted Adrian with the id
ea of meeting for an interview, I wasn't sure what the reaction would be. A young guy in training and on an upward trajectory, could there be time for something like this? To my surprise, he was happy to do an interview!
When the day arrived for our meeting, I had the pleasure of sitting across from Adrian at the Jazzy Bean Cafe in McKinley Park. After our introductions were made, we engaged in conversation with Miguel Mijes (Cuerus Boxing Newspaper's founder). I enjoyed listening to them talk as I got everything in place to capture our interview.
Adrian is the type of boxer that you can imagine being a world champion. He's got the reputation for being an aggressive fighter inside the ring and the demeanor of a confident but measured young man outside of it. As a rising star in Boxing, Adrian has all the makings of being a great ambassador for the sport. Though he has a very busy schedule, he totally did not show any rush or impatience to get the interview over with. After it was over, he stuck around for photos and shared a meal with us. He was absolutely incredible and totally impressed me as a human being in general.
He just came off of a TKO victory against Justin Danforth on December 17, 2010 at the UC Pavilion almost two weeks prior. he was in the moment and very clear in his answers. I came away with the impression that I am seeing greatness in the making. Time will tell what the future holds for Adrian but I can say this, my money is on him.
Bernardo Miguel Aguirre - The first thing I wanted to ask you is how did you first become interested in Boxing?
Adrian Granados - As a little kid, the first superhero I had was Julio Cesar Chavez. He was basically the man that was like the superhero that would go out every day and beat the bad guy and just doesn't lose. I don't know, he was just an idol of mine.
I went through my childhood playing a bunch of sports - just starting to like all types - baseball, basketball and football but I always wanted to box and paid attention to it (what was happening in the sport) the whole time. I would watch when Barerra/Morales had their rivalry. I watched when De La Hoya went his way - through Marquez sneaking in the background, Hamed having his little time and Roy Jones... I was always all over the game.
I always wanted to be a boxer but just didn't know where to start. We used to go out to Windy City (Gym) when I was a little kid, my dad used to take me and stuff. That's where I knew I belonged. I just didn't know when I was going to take off with it. That's when I knew, I was going to be a boxer. Once I started, I didn't stop.
BMA - Very cool! So then what age was it that you started to actually train to be a fighter?
AG - Well, I always tried throughout my childhood but it was around 8 and I tried with one of my friend’s dad who used to box. I tried going to Windy City for a little bit but that didn't work out. Then I got into high school, my sophmore year at St. Joseph High School (out of Westchester), a big baseball and basketball school, that's where Isaiah Thomas came from, and I then met Brother Peter. He taught me basic one two's and we used to work out every day.
After a month or two of hard training, going every single day and doing something, we went over and hooked up with an old friend of his, Rico Gonzalez - a former stand out amateur Chicago fighter - "Speedy" they called him - I got hooked up with him. Originally, I was set up for sparring with someone else and me and Speedy, we were the only ones there with my dad and Brother Peter. All of us were waiting there for the guy that was supposed to come and spar. It was in a two-door garage that I used to train in. Rico, Speedy, noticed that the guy wasn't coming and was like, "Alright, I'm going to jump in there." We went at it for like three rounds...hard...and he remembers screaming over to me, "So is that good, brother?" And I screamed out, "Just give me one more!"
BMA - You were really getting into it then?
AG - (Laughing) Yeah!
BMA - Now, let's compare when you started boxing as an amateur, how did it change your life? It sounds like when you started training every day, it got you focused and started you with goal setting.
AG - Yeah! Basically, I just knew that any sport that I would get into, you have to give it 100%. You can't have that "doubt" in your head. "Oh, today I feel tired." You know, even if you're tired, you gotta get up and go. You do the work. The flashiest player on the soccer field, on the basketball court, on the football field... you know, the guy in the boxing ring you can get beat by the guy that works the hardest. Even if you are the guy that is the flashiest or the one that has the speed... you should never lose a fight because you're not in shape - you should never lose a game because you're not in shape.
So, anyt time I focused on any sport, it became like a religion to me. You've got to do the work. To be the BEST. You have to stick to it.
BMA - Do you apply these skills that you have learned, goal setting, focusing and putting in the work to other areas of your life?
AG - Definitely. In school I wasn't a "stand out" student but I always had solid grades. I always made sure I was a B student, an A Student if I could, If I took an art class, out of nowhere I would become really good at drawing.
BMA - So your boxing training work ethic could really be applied to anything you put your mind to?
AG - Exactly.
BMA - I think that's a pretty cool lesson to hear about. For people who look up to anyone in sports to learn the lesson to commit and focusing on goals and goal setting in their lives from someone they may look up to, that's great to hear from you.
Regarding your fighting style between amateur boxing and professional are the differences anything like you thought they would be?
AG - I would say yes. I picked up the amateur style, watched the professional style and see the differences. I would see how my style would come into it play. I was always very studious as to what I was doing and watch my fights and other fights. See them as if I was the judge.
BMA - There was a lot of analysis on your part to learn from everything you could.
AG - (Nods)
BMA - Regarding how you prepare now for your fights as a pro and in your training routines, because you give 100% and were intense in your training when you first started, did you learn to pace yourself and find out the most effective way to train for your personality and energy?
AG - I know myself now. I know when to turn it up. I know when I have to turn it down...because I would say that I'm the type of fighter that is kind of like that horse that you have to say, "Whoa, hold up!" (laughs)
BMA - How did you come to learn that and was it hard for you?
AG - Yeah, plain and simple. I was always concious of making weight and being disciplined, not having to struggle. So, sometimes I would make sure I had it down even ahead of time and sometimes over working and getting there too fast.
Right now, it's been about two weeks since my last fight. I'm doing road work and getting the body limber again, stretching really good.
BMA - Is each day different in your training?
AG - Yeah, I switch it up a lot. I usually hit the weight room two or three times a week. I also make sure I run at least four times a week...at least. I do my boxing training usually 6 days a week. I've got to listen to my body. If my body feels sore I will loosen up there. If I feel like my body is perfect, it's like, "alright, we're going all out."
Another thing I would have to say is that your nutrition, you gotta pay attention to that. You have to stay on that. I turn it into school - making sure to listen to my body and pay attention to my training.
BMA - What do you think of the currnet crop of boxers out there. For example, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr?
AG - With the boxers now, it's kind of different... Being a boxer myself, when I watch fights I put myself in there.
BMA - You can really relate to what they are going through in the ring. Before you were a fan and could only imagine but now you are IN THERE.
AG - Exactly. The boxers right now, everything is different. I feel the way that the state of Boxing is now, If you're going to go there and use Julio Cesar Chavez Jr as an example, I've got nothing against him but I would say that he's a good fighter but his dad was great.
BMA - I would imagine that it's kind of hard for you to compare beause his dad was your idol. He may be a few years ahead of you in age but in a sense your peers now because you are both active fighters now.
AG -... and you know, when I watch him fight, I see him use the style his dad used to do... but you know, being another student of his dad's, I see the little flaws and stuff like that.
BMA - With that being said, do you see the same thing in you? In terms of knowing which part of your style was influenced by JCC Sr?
AG - Yeah! Yeah! Definitely! You know, a lot of fighters that have met me, they know that I am a good imitator. When we start playing around in sparring sessions and stuff, I'll bring that little bit of the Chavez tap. You know, that glove movement around? He had that nice little hop back there..the combination. The way that he was so dedicated to the body, always breaking down his opponents. Very studious.
It's like that with every fighter, other fighters that I mimic and watch a lot. I would say I'm somewhat like a mixture of a De La Hoya/Marquez. I'll go in there like a Floyd Mayweather (Jr). Another day I'll go back old school Like Ricard "El Finito" Lopez. You know, I'll watch some Salvador Sanchez...
BMA - You sound very versatile. You don't settle into one fighting style. You stay flexible in that you incorporate change your fight plan and switch it up.
AG - Yeah... I just feel the fight out. I'm the pitcher who won't throw the fast ball all the time - throw in a curve ball. I'm going to throw you some knuckle balls, some split fingers...
BMA - Obviously, seeing as you are still a big fight fan, what is the standout fight for you in 2010?
AG - It was a solid year, I would say.
BMA - Especially towards the end of the year with the great fights we have recently seen... It's hard to choose just one. I think a lot of people were shocked to see Pacquiao dismantle Margarito so completely.
AG - I have to say I saw that one coming. I was hoping Margarito would catch him with his power and he did have his little run in a couple of rounds there but I knew the speed would be too much.
BMA - I know we could go on about 2010 but we are coming to the end of the interview and so I wanted to ask you what you would say to a young guy or girl who wants to take up training?
AG - You know I would say that sky's the limit. It is true what they have all told us, if you put your heart into something, you can do it. Don't ever let someone stop you from doing what you want.
If you are going to be student council president... If you're going to go and be a grad student, if you're going to play basketball...don't let anyone stop you from doing it. Do what your heart tells you to do.
BMA - What do you think about the Chicago Park District boxing programs? What would you say about the importance of them or any boxing program?
AG - Speaking locally, the park district should continue those programs. They're really positive and if anything the word should spread about them and get more followers. I mean really, my problem when growing up was knowing where to go. Not knowing what was available.
BMA - That's a good point. If someone like you, who was a boxing fan, didn't know where to go, others that may find that they could become interested in the program would never have picked up on it either.
AG - Exactly. I would also say that the USA Boxing program, which is a great program that chooses our olympic team, if anything, that's gotta continue. The funding needs to to continue with that. They pick the right jugdges, everybody has to be licensed to be a part of it, they keep it safe...It's something that you'd say why not support it if it produces so much positive?
BMA - What would you like to see for your future 10 years from now?
AG - Um, I would say 10 years from now, I'm hoping to be champion of the world. Hopefully a "few times defending" champion of the world. Maybe in a few different divisions. You know, I want to dream big. I grew up wanting to at least have a shot at the glory. I know it's a long road from here. I know I just have to take it one fight at a time.
