Diego Corrales: "Grueling is my job, pain is my profession!"

It was announced last week that your rubbermatch with Jose Luis Castillo is going to take place in Texas, on Showtime Championship Boxing on February 4. How do you feel about this fight taking place so soon? "I'm ready and it was actually my call to get back in the ring so soon. I want to get back in there before my wife gives birth because I want to be there when she gives birth and spend as much time with my child as I can immediately. I felt it would be better if I got this out of the way a lot earlier."

GL: With Michelle scheduled to give birth shortly after this fight, does that mean it could be a while before we see you again after February 4 win, lose or draw?

Diego Corrales: "I don't know. I normally take a little time off after a fight anyway. Right now I'm just taking it one step at a time. The first few months of your child's life are very important and I'm going to be there for that time. Right now I'm going to get myself to camp and prepare for another great fight with Castillo."

GL: Do you feel you're coming back too quickly after such a nasty knockout? And could that be detrimental to your longevity?

Diego Corrales: "No, I'm fine. I just caught with a good shot and that was that. I don't feel me coming right back is going to be detrimental because I'm still a young guy. I'm only 28 and at 28 you still recover from things very quickly. As long as my head is in the fight I'm not going to be worried about anything."

GL: Acelino Freitas has been doing a lot of lobbying to have his mandatory enforced. Was there ever a serious choice between Castillo and Freitas or has it been the Castillo rubbermatch from day one?

Diego Corrales: "I already knew there was going to be another fight with Castillo. The very first thing that came out of my mouth was the third fight with Castillo. If Freitas really wants to fight me again he could stick around for one more fight. I'm not afraid to fight him and he's the mandatory so once we get the third fight out of the way he's not going to have to look hard to find me."

GL: Do you believe Castillo will make 135 this time?

Diego Corrales: "Well, that's what they said. They said he's been medically cleared to make 135 so hell yeah he's going to make it."

GL: Hypothetically speaking if he doesn't make the weight again...

Diego Corrales: (cutting in) "I'd walk him to the sauna myself. He's going to make the weight this time. I'm not playing that nonsense. I did what I had to do for all of the people who came down to the fight and spent their money on their airfare and hotel stays."

GL: Are you going to continue to fight this guy chest to chest or are you going to utilize some of the boxing skills we saw in the Casamayor rematch, which could make it a far less grueling night on your body?

Diego Corrales: "Yeah, but grueling is my job and pain is my profession. By any means necessary I'm going to win. If we have to go head to head again that's what we're going to do."

GL: Even though you lost the fight has it been easy to maintain your swagger as the lightweight king since the titles weren't on the line?

Diego Corrales: "Absolutely. I fought at welterweight and I trained to fight at lightweight. So my swagger, why lose any? There's nothing that he's going to bring to me at lightweight that I'm worried about."

GL: Neither of the first two fights went the distance. Is there any way this one goes twelve?

Diego Corrales: "I don't know. Most people don't think so but it's tough to say until you get in there. But if you're going by the last two fights I'd have to say no."

GL: Do you feel that your plan to fight him chest to chest in the rematch would have been more effective if Castillo was training for lightweight?

Diego Corrales: "A lot more. This is the thing, he didn't have to deplete himself of those last four pounds, I did. We both had to make weight and I'm substantially taller than him so there's no way it's easier on me than it was on him. We're professionals and making weight is our job. I'm going to be ready for February and the fans should look forward to another great fight."