Exclusive interview: Criztec Bazaldua gears up for his October 10 clash

Super lightweight Criztec Bazaldua (6-1, 1 KO) continues to have lofty goals for his career as he gears up for his latest clash.

The 21-year-old American will face Darian Castro (3-0, 1 KO) on a Red Owl Boxing card at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, CA. Fight fans around the world will be able to catch the action live on DAZN.

Ahead of his October 10 bout, Big Fight Weekend got to speak with Bazaldua where he discussed his upcoming clash, his WBC Boxing Grand Prix experience, and more. Check out what he had to say to us below!

Criztec Bazaldua speaks to Big Fight Weekend

Criztec Bazaldua’s thoughts on Darian Castro

Castro, Bazaldua’s 22-year-old opponent for Friday, is a Cuban-born boxer who spent some time boxing for his country’s national team as an amateur. He later moved to the United States and turned professional in January 2023. Although his last professional boxing bout took place in October 2023, he has spent the last year and a half competing in the Team Combat League (TCL).

“If I’m being frank with you, I think he [Castro] was the fifth or sixth opponent they had offered us,” said Bazaldua about the opponent selection process.

“It was a big process, but once my manager gave me the opportunity, as soon as it came up I [said] let’s take it. I talked to my coach about it and we just loved the opportunity. Just a great fight. A prospect vs. prospect fight and I just know that we’re ready for whatever. Just eager to get in the ring and face such a decorated amateur boxer.”

Bazaldua admits that although he is facing a fellow talented prospect, he has not had to make any significant changes to his training methods. He credits his mentality as the reason that allows for this kind of consistency.

“We treat every opponent I’ve had as my biggest challenge up to date and I just go into [training camp] eager to learn and see what I have to do to beat my opponent. I don’t think there’s been anything big that’s different. We’re just ready for whatever.”

“My mentality is my biggest thing. Just knowing that I have to get the job done and just knowing the things ahead of me and the stakes ahead of me, I just have to go into it head first everyday. Everyday I learn, everyday I just try to get better. Just eager to get in the ring and fight my next opponent.”

Criztec Bazaldua at the WBC Boxing Grand Prix

Bazaldua’s last fight took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix. His opponent was Alan Dutra of Argentina. After three rounds of action, Bazaldua was in the lead with scores of 30-27 and 29-28 (x2). With just a minute to go in the fourth, however, he got hit with a hard left hook upstairs that brought an immediate end to the fight. Despite the result, Bazaldua makes sure that it does not impact his mentality.

“A loss doesn’t define me at all. I took a big risk. I fought an opponent that had twice the fights I had, more knockouts than I had wins and I was winning every round against him [until the knockout happened]. It doesn’t define who I am at all. Being able to come back, livestreaming on DAZN, it’s a testament to who I am.”

Although he lost his only bout at the WBC Boxing Grand Prix, Bazaldua has a positive view of his time there.

“It was a great atmosphere. So many great prospects near me and around me. You could feel the vibes, you could feel the energy. It was a great experience for sure.”

The advantage of having another boxer in the family

Bazaldua is not the only professional boxer in his family. His younger sister, Perla, is a super flyweight who signed a promotional deal with Top Rank earlier this year. Bazaldua has plenty of praise for her and sees the advantages of having another boxer in the family.

“The biggest advantage is the friendly competition. Me and my sister, we just push each other everyday to surpass one another. It’s not anything bad at all. We want to be better than each other. We want to compete against each other and just make ourselves better. At the end of the day, it just makes ourselves better and there’s nothing bad about it. To be honest, I think my sister’s an amazing boxer and we just keep going together.”

Criztec Bazaldua’s future

In addition to preparing for his upcoming bout against Castro, Bazaldua also has an eye on the future.

“In 2026 I want to, not necessarily fight for world championships, but become a contender and keep growing and soon fight for world titles. Just keep competing, get little belts under my name, and overall just [continue] growing.”

“Five years from now I want to see myself become undisputed world champion in multiple weight classes, number one pound for pound in the world, and solidify myself as one of the greatest boxers of [my] generation. Even more further in the future, one of the greatest boxers of all time.”