Status at time of interview: WBC Welterweight champion.

Childhood Heroes: “Carlos Monzon. (Did you ever meet him?) Yes. Before the car accident. I was 24 when I met him. He told me I was gonna be a world champion someday. The Judah fight was the anniversary of the death of Monzon.”

Hobbies/Interests: “Fishing, sometimes soccer.”

Nickname: “Tata.”

Favorite Movies: “No preference, not big on movies.”

Musical Tastes: “All kinds of music except rock - Luis Miguel, Ricky Martin, Cheyenne, Julio Iglesias.”

Childhood Dream: “Always a boxer. But then when I grew older, I wanted to be a world champion.”

First Job: “Salesman in the street. Dust feathers. (How old were you?) 13. Until I was 31. Side job to support the family when purses were low.”

First Car: “1973 dark maroon Peugeot.”

Early Boxing Memory: “Early in my career, when I didn’t have any money, I’d carry in my gym bag all the feather dusters with me. So as soon as the fight is over, I’d start selling feather dusters. So I can support my family.”

Favorite Meal: “Meat, beef.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla, and any fruit.”

Pre-Fight Feeling: “I’m always relaxed. I’m always thinking about winning.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “When they give the final decision to the Judah fight (Jan. 2006).”

Most Painful Moment: “When I was highly ranked in the rankings and I didn’t get the chance, so I was getting frustrated. The two or three fights I had to wait before the world championship fight. This was two or three years ago.”

Funny Boxing Memory: “When we went to Mexico to fight our first elimination bout. I didn’t get paid. And at the time I was really mad but now it’s funny to me. They gave me a rubber check and the check bounced. And I didn’t get paid. (Who promoted it?) Can I say it? Mr. Robles. $20,000 and I never got paid.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “Cancun. When I go there Sycuan pays for my beers [laughs].”

Embarrassing Boxing Memory: “No shame. Nothing.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch: “Oscar. For the crowd he brings out and the show he shows every time he fights.”

Favorite Fight: “Quartey against Oscar.”

Toughest Opponent: “Micky Rodriguez - the one I fought in the elimination bout before Judah. Because I needed to win that one to become world champion. It was like a big wall in front of me between Judah.”

Hardest Puncher: “A guy from Africa in England in ‘99 - Joshua Clottey. He’s my second or third ranking now.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “When somebody is really good friend of mine. When he shows me friendship - that’s the most crucial thing I see in a human being.”