On fighting Mercito Gesta
“So many people would like me to fight Mikey Garcia and Lomachenko. But for me the most important thing right now is the focus on this Saturday with Mercito Gesta. I’ve had good preparation for this opportunity. I need to bring a good fight, because after this fight, big fights are coming. The most important thing is the focus for this Saturday.”
On Gesta working with Freddie Roach, Linares’ former trainer
“It’s normal. Freddie Roach has known me a long time. It was seven years ago. It’s different. I’m at another level right now. I feel different. I changed my style, so many things. That’s why I’m a world champion right now. That’s why I haven’t lost since I was with Freddie Roach. I feel better, I feel strong.”
On Vasyl Lomachenko
[Translated] “It would be a very good fight. I think we have very similar styles, and thinking about the Rigondeaux fight, I honestly stopped watching it. But I looked at Rigondeaux and said, ‘He’s fast like me.’ Even though I haven’t been in the Olympics, I feel I have the right style to give Lomachenko a very good fight.”
On fighting Lomachenko and then Garcia
[Translated] “If Mikey could make 135 pounds, I’d love to fight him at 135, but I have no problem fighting him at 140 pounds. I’d like to fight three times this year. My ideal plan, and it would be the highest of the high, would be to fight Lomachenko this year, and then go into a fight with Mikey Garcia in 2019.”
Watch the video for much more!