Rigoberto Alvarez is the trainer and representative of Erik “Habanerito” Lopez, who this Saturday will go into the ring on the undercard of the “Explosive Test” card against Gilbert Gonzalez. The Mexican, who was champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA), arrived in Barranquilla on Tuesday with his pupil to give a great battle in the ring of the Sugar Baby Rojas Coliseum.
After his arrival in Barranquilla, the former WBA champion spoke about what this fight means for Lopez as a fighter and for him as a coach in his intention to win a black and gold belt in the future.
“It’s an opportunity that we cannot miss. I have great confidence in the qualities of this boy. He is a very disciplined boy. I think we’re going to make a big fight because he’s a born fighter and he’s going ahead,” he said of Lopez, in whom he has placed great confidence.
In the ring they will have a Venezuelan rival who does not have much media attention, but he does have a great record and wants to damage the “Habanerito’s” night.
“We have a lot of respect for the rival. There is no small rival, so we cannot trust ourselves and least of all with Gilbert. I’ve seen him and he is very good, he is tough and boxes well. He had a fight with an undefeated Mexican and I saw it as fairly even, only that the fight was in Mexico and the decision was for the Mexican.”
It is the first time that Rigoberto steps on Colombian soil, but his brother, the WBA Super Champion, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, had been in the coffee country together with the president of the oldest organization in the world, Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, and he gave his impressions before making the trip.
“Canelo told me that he loved Colombia. I did not know it, but now that I was able to come, I realize how warm people are and how beautiful the country is. We are very happy here,” he said.
Finally, Rigoberto spoke about his relationship with the WBA and thanked all the opportunities that the entity has given him over the years, first as a fighter and now as a coach.
“I am very happy with the WBA, since they gave me the opportunity to fight for their title. Mr. Gilberto Jesus Mendoza is a great friend of mine and now they give Erik a chance too. I’m truly faithful to the WBA,” he closed.
