Age started boxing: 10

First boxing memory: At age 14 I won my first national championship. I was very proud.

Inspiration: First, God. Second, my mother.

Favourite all-time fighter: Oscar De La Hoya

and Felix Trinidad.

Best fight seen: (laughs) De La Hoya-Trinidad.

Pre-fight meal: Pasta.

What do you do to relax: I go to my manager’s room and I talk with people. I talk to relax.

Pre-fight superstition: Only to pray.

What training (if any) between fights: Lots of running. I always stay in shape.

Typical breakfast: Lots of different types of fruit.

Toughest part of being a boxer: Waiting for the next fight.

Favourite music: All kinds to listen to when training, local music from Colombia.

Last book you read: I’m not much of a reader, but I recently read a book about fighters from Colombia.

Favourite film: I like Chinese films with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

What car do you drive: A Nissan Sentra.

Where do you train: Here in Barranquilla, the Cuadrilatero Gym.

Training routine: I get up at 5 am and run for a solid hour. At 11am I go to the gym and spar. I have three different sparring partners for this fight (against Kendall Holt). I spar six to eight rounds a day. I also do other basic training things, like pad and bag work and skipping.

Toughest man faced: Miguel Cotto, no doubt!

What supplements take: Just regular vitamins.

If you weren’t a boxer what would you be: I would be a football player.

Last place you went on holiday: Right here in Colombia. I don’t get many holidays!

Best boxer in the sport today: It was Cotto, but he lost so now I’m not sure.

Favourite football team: Junior Barranquilla.