By Richard Najdowski

Chicago, IL - Former champion Kermit Cintron (33-5-1, 28 KO’s) took some time to discuss his time away from boxing and his return to the welterweight division, where he had world championship success in the past. Cintron returns on Friday night at the UIC Pavilion in an ESPN televised fight against Adrian Granados. It will be the first fight for Cintron at 147 since 2008.

“Going to 154 was not because I couldn’t make weight, but because I was getting good opportunities at that weight. I thought that my power would show up at 154, but going back, the most I weighed was 165. Those guys are going up to 175 pounds, 180 pounds. So, I was kinda like the smaller guy," Cintron told BoxingScene.com.

"After I took that long layoff, I told myself that if I was going to come back, I was going to come back at 147. As we speak (Tuesday 3/19), I’m on weight. I eat my six meals a day, so I have no problems at all. It feels great [knowing he will be back in the ring]. I’m rejuvenated. I took time to spend with my wife and my kids. I’m ready to go. I’m excited. I’m looking to be victorious. If the knockout happens, then I’m going to make it happen. I feel like I’m going to have the power.”

Adrian Granados (11-2-1, 7 KO’s or 9-1-1, 5 KO’s, depending on which official record you honor),  looked really loose and confident at the presser:

“I kinda measured it right. He (Cintron) is as tall as I figured, but not out of reach, of course. He looks bigger, but not “that big,” of course. Same game plan (See here for a more lengthy interview I did with Granados 2 weeks ago

). I have a feeling it’s going to be a good fight. I’m going to be a lot stronger, I’m going to be a lot more comfortable. I feel like I’m younger, faster, more hungry. So, I got a lot to bring to the table.”