By Anson Wainwright

In many ways we’re in the midst of a golden generation in the flyweight division. Wednesday marks the third flyweight title fight in six days, when McWilliams Arroyo challenges Amnat Ruenroeng for the IBF championship.

“This is a very important fight for me,” Arroyo told krikya360.com last week. “Because it is my first world title opportunity and I have a dream of becoming world champion as a professional boxer.”

Arroyo (15-1, 13 knockouts) has travelled thousand of miles from Puerto Rico to Thailand to face the formidable beltholder. He’s unduly bothered by fighting on the road largely down to his amateur experiences which saw him win gold at several international tournaments including Central American and Caribbean games in Cartagena, Pan-American games in Rio and most notably the world championships in Milan - all of which helped prepare him for this opportunity.

“I’m not thinking about the place, I’m focused on the fight.” said the 28-year old mandatory challenger. “I feel strong, no issues with the 11 hour (time) difference, I have been treated very well here. I am quite positive that I will win.”

His promoter Peter Rivera of PR Best Boxing Promotions is confident in his fighters ability.

“McWilliams is in excellent physical and mental condition,” said Rivera. “He is a fighter with a lot of international experience and that has been a major factor for this fight. We are confident in his victory.”

krikya360.com caught up with Arroyo ahead of his title challenge and spoke with him on a variety of things. Here’s what he had to say.

 

Anson Wainwright - You face Amnat Ruenroeng on Wednesday, what are your thoughts on that fight?

McWilliams Arroyo -This is a very important fight for me because it is my first world title opportunity and I have a dream of becoming world champion as a professional boxer like I was as an amateur.

krikya360.com: - The fight takes place in Thailand, what are your thoughts on travelling there for the fight?

McWilliams Arroyo - It’s a very long trip but once again I'm looking to be a world champion. I’m not thinking on the place, I’m focused on the fight.

krikya360.com: - You scored a highlight reel knockout over Froilan Saludar in your last fight, tell us about that fight?

McWilliams Arroyo - Froilan was a good fighter, that I was watching to connect my punches but the KO came fast.

krikya360.com: - Prior to the Saludar win, you hadn't fought in 16-months, why was that?

McWilliams Arroyo - Many of my fights were cancelled at the last minute for different reasons, but the important thing for me right now is to win the fight. I’m always training and that was the key for the victory.

krikya360.com: - Who are the key members of your team, your manager, trainer and promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

McWilliams Arroyo - My manager is Orlando Piñero and my trainers are Anthony Otero and Alexander Caraballo. My promoting company is PR Best Boxing Promotions. I train at the Rafael “Fito” Ramos Gym in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

krikya360.com: - What were your early years growing up in Ceiba, Puerto Rico like? Also how did you first become interested in boxing?

McWilliams Arroyo - I lived on Ceiba for few years because my father was at the Navy and we lived at the Roosevelt Roads Naval Base. I became interested in boxing after visiting the boxing gym to see former world champion John John Molina, who is from Fajardo.

krikya360.com: - You were a very successful amateur. Could you talk to us about your amateur career, what titles/tournaments you won and what your final record was?

McWilliams Arroyo - The most important tournaments for me was the Central American and Caribbean games in 2006, the Pan-American games in 2007 and the world championships in 2009, where I won gold medals in all three tournaments. Also being a 2008 Olympian in Beijing, where I was selected to carry the Puerto Rican flag during the opening ceremony. My amateur record was 120-10.

krikya360.com: - After the world championships you decided to turn pro, can you talk us through that?

McWilliams Arroyo - After being amateur world champion in 2009, my goal was to be a world champion as a professional boxer with my twin brother McJoe and we started in pro boxing in 2010.

krikya360.com: - As you mentioned your twin brother McJoe is also a fighter, what is it like for you when he is fighting?

McWilliams Arroyo - For me it is very hard to see him fight. I get more nervous than when I fight.

krikya360.com: - In just your fourth fight you lost to Takashi Okada, it was your first fight outside Puerto Rico and was at Madison Square Garden, can you tell us about this and what happened and how you were able to re-group?

McWilliams Arroyo - On that fight what affected me was the knockdown. It was a very close fight but the loss helped me to think more and to work on the errors that I made.

krikya360.com: - Away from boxing tell us a little about yourself?

McWilliams Arroyo - I'm a sneaker freak, I love play pool and spend time with the family.

krikya360.com: - In closing do you have a message for Amnat Ruenroeng?

McWilliams Arroyo - I hope you are ready because I'm ready and I'm going for the win.

 

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him at