Orlando Del Valle is a rising super bantamweight contender with a 19-0 (14 KO) record and a desire to get himself back in title contention. In this “On The Ropes” special interview, I talk with Orlando about his career and his upcoming November 14th bout. Orlando also talks about the bantamweight division and which of the champions he could see himself in the ring with. Additionally, Del Valle gives his thoughts on Pacquiao vs. Khan & Canelo-Cotto. Here is what Orlando Del Valle had to say.

Jenna J: You have an upcoming fight date in November, can you let the fans know what you have going on?

Orlando Del Valle: We’re really focused on training for November 14th, we’ll be fighting out here in Puerto Rico. Our opponent is still to be determined but we’re focusing on this date and whoever they put in front of us, we know we’re gonna take them down.

Jenna J: The card will be part of Miguel Cotto’s promotional company and you’re also signed with Roc Nation Sport. What is that relationship like?

Orlando Del Valle: I’m signed by Roc Nation, I already did one fight with them back in March. Roc Nation is affiliated with Miguel Cotto and when Miguel Cotto Promotions does fights in Puerto Rico, they put me in to fight in my home so my fans can come to watch me fight.

Jenna J: You’ve fought both at 126lbs and 122lb, where do you ultimately see yourself contending for a title?

Orlando Del Valle: Definitely at 122lbs. That’s the weight division we are aiming for to win a world title in. This particular fight will be between 122lbs and 126lbs.

Jenna J: What do you think of the champions that are out there in the 122lb division?

Orlando Del Valle: It is a very stacked division with a lot of talent but we know that we have what it requires to become a world champion. Hopefully in 2016 we’ll get our shot for a world title with any of the champions and contend for the world title.

Jenna J: One of the most avoided guys in boxing is in that weight class, that being Guillermo Rigondeaux. What are your thoughts on him?

Orlando Del Valle: He’s one of a kind. He’s a very talented fighter, very defensive. But when I’ve seen him fight, the times that I’ve seen when he gets hit, a lot of times he either goes down or you can see that he got hurt. If I get the opportunity to fight with him, I guarantee you once the first bell rings I will go and pursue the knockout because I know his defensive skills won’t allow me to win on the scorecards.

That would be fight that I will be pursuing the knockout from the get go. It would be an honor if I get to fight him because he’s one of a kind and one of the greatest active boxers right now. If you get the opportunity to face him and you beat him, that will give you more recognition. He’s also recognized as a pound-for-pound champion, so if you want to be the best, you gotta beat the best. I’m open and willing.

Jenna J: You’re 28 years old now, what have you learned to this point in your career?

Orlando Del Valle: I’m 28 years old and I already had a couple of setbacks but I feel great. Even though I’m 28, I feel that I haven’t reached the peak of my career yet. I feel I keep getting stronger and more mature, but time will tell.

I still feel that I have a lot in me. Nowadays you see fighters performing at the best of their abilities when they’re 35 or 36 years old, like Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez and even Miguel Cotto. I still feel that I haven’t reached my peak, and I’m healthy and I’m feeling better than ever and it’s just a matter of time.

Jenna J: I want to ask about a few things going on in the sport. What are your thoughts on Miguel Cotto’s upcoming fight with Saul Alvarez?

Orlando Del Valle: I think that it’s a 50-50 fight, it’s a very good fight that I’m looking forward to. If I had to pick a fighter right now, I would pick Canelo but it all will depend on how everything starts.

Canelo needs to come out and put the pressure from the beginning. He needs to pressure Cotto and take him to the deep waters so he eventually he wears him out and he can win the fight. If he doesn’t do that and he allows Cotto to move and box like he did to Margarito, Cotto will win a unanimous decision on the scorecards.

Cotto is wiser now and I believe that Cotto will try to keep him on the outside and he will box. If Cotto can keep Canelo away from him for the first half of the fight, the other half he will just punch him and grab him and he will survive. I think that even though it’s a 50-50 fight, I think that Canelo has the youth and he has the strength to dominate Cotto but Cotto has the experience and if Cotto uses it, he will come out with the win. I’m picking Canelo to win.

Jenna J: Another fight that is being talked about is a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan. As a fight fan, what type of a fight do you think that will be and who would you pick to win?

Orlando Del Valle: That’s gonna be a speed fight. It’s gonna be very competitive because both are very fast and it will be who makes the other commit first. If Amir can make Pacquiao commit, he’s gonna out skill him. If ‘Pac-Man’ makes Amir Khan take the bait, then Pacquiao is gonna use his speed against him.

It’s another fight I’m looking forward to and it’s gonna be a very interesting fight because they’re both very fast. Whoever makes the other fighter commit is the one who will win the fight.

Jenna J: Taking things back to you, how many fights do you think you are away from getting a world title shot?

Orlando Del Valle: We’re aiming for a world title in 2016. Realistically talking, I think that I could get a title shot sometime at the end of the year or the second half of next year. I got nineteen victories under my belt, I need one or two more to get in title contention.

It’s all about being at the right place at the right time, and I know that my adviser is doing his job so probably the second half of next year. Hopefully if we get a good name under our belt that will get us to the title shot. Boxing is also a business and we need to have somebody behind you that is making the right moves for you, and I know that I have that person.

Jenna J: On November 14th, what can fans expect from you in the ring?

Orlando Del Valle: What they always see from me. I’m a throwback fighter, I’m always coming to fight and everybody that comes over to watch me fight, from the first round to the final round, they are always on their feet because I always show up to fight. That’s what they can expect, nothing but fireworks.