Chente Ydrach – Masacote

Episode: OSCAR COLLAZO: “YO SOY LA CARA DEL BOXEO”
Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Chente Ydrach
Guest: Oscar Collazo (Unified World Boxing Champion)

Overview

In this dynamic and intimate episode of Masacote, comedian and host Chente Ydrach sits down with boxing sensation Oscar Collazo. Together, they unpack Collazo’s historic rise, the grueling and misunderstood realities of boxing at the lightest weights, and the mental and physical strength needed to become one of the fastest-rising Puerto Rican champions. Collazo openly discusses the roots of his confidence, dealing with criticism, his upbringing, rivalries, and the pressure (or lack thereof) of being a major sports figure for his country. The team also share behind-the-scenes stories, touching on Collazo’s dreams of becoming Undisputed and his relationships with legends like Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oscar’s Rise & Unique Power in the 105lb Division

• Opening praise: Chente introduces Oscar emphasizing his place in Puerto Rican boxing history, noting the rarity of such knockout power at 105 lbs and the speed of his title unification (00:00).
• Discovering his KO Power:
  • Oscar shares that his natural power wasn’t developed until he turned pro and learned proper nutrition and training, citing influences from his team in Las Vegas (01:36).

    “Cuando me fui a profesional… me inculcaron el poder de hacerla. Yo no hacía pesas, yo no comía bien, yo nunca.”

• Making Weight:
  • Oscar admits to previously having poor weight-cutting habits and misunderstanding the science behind hydration (03:12-04:20).

    “La mayoría de los boxeadores piensan que si dejas de tomar agua, hace el peso... Tienes que tomar agua para sudar.”

2. Mental and Physical Challenges in Early Career

• Handling Setbacks:
  • Oscar reflects on his fourth pro fight where he survived a broken nose and his first knockdown (06:10-08:44).
  • Coach Carlos Ortiz highlights Oscar’s resilience during this crucial bout, stating he showed championship heart even while injured (09:15).

    “Le rompieron el tabique… ya no podía respirar. Está respirando por la boca el primer asalto. Pero está peleando súper y está dominando la pelea.”

• Learning to Listen:
  • Oscar shares humorous moments where he ignored his corner and paid for it with a knockdown, internalizing those lessons quickly (08:26-08:44).

    “Me dijeron en la esquina con calma, no te apresures… Fui pa’llá, me tiraron y me tumbó rápido.”

3. Handling Pressure and Public Criticism

• Dealing with Expectations:
  • The team discusses fan criticism regarding whether a boxer’s progress is “too fast” or “too slow,” concluding that nothing satisfies everyone (11:26).

    “La gente si tú se lo metes gritan y si se lo saca llora.” – Carlos Ortiz (11:26)

• Mental Toughness:
  • Oscar says he only listens to his team and ignores negativity, having developed a thick skin from years of amateur competition (12:05-14:00).

    “Yo no vivo con la gente, yo hago mi trabajo… Esta gente no hace nada con su vida, para que me van a criticar?”

4. Foundation: Tough Upbringing and Amateur Career

• Background in Conflict:
  • Oscar recounts fighting daily as a child both in New Jersey and Puerto Rico, propelling his mental edge (20:15-24:34).

    “Peleaba mucho con los chamaquitos… Yo bajaba la escalera y yo decía, si viene este cabrón pa’ acá, voy a tener que pelear con esto otra vez.” (20:15)

• Not Initially a Boxer:
  • Started boxing late (age 15), originally played baseball, but went undefeated in dozens of amateur matches before truly realizing his talent (24:54-25:57).

    “Yo jugué pelota hasta los 15 años. Y a los 15 fue que me puse a boxear tarde.”

5. Transitioning from Amateur to Pro and Signature Style

• Defining Traits:
  • Oscar was known for his defensive skills and ring movement, seldom getting hit and frustrating his opponents in the amateurs (26:09-26:45).

    “Yo no me dejaba dar. Bajaba las manos… daba pelea, daba chiva a todo el mundo.”

• Confidence and Showmanship:
  • The team agrees it's important to allow natural bravado, as long as it complements real talent (27:06-27:21).

6. Historic Unification and Future Ambitions

• Path to Unification:
  • Oscar details how his trajectory went from winning the WBO title to fighting for unification in Saudi Arabia, drawing parallels to Tito Trinidad’s legacy (27:36-29:14).

    “Cuando se nos dio dije no, ahora es que. Porque desde Tito no se da una unificación.”

• Next Goals – Undisputed:
  • His eyes are on future unifications with champions Melvin Jerusalem (revenge/rematch) and Pedro Taduran, aiming to be the first Puerto Rican male Undisputed at 105 lbs (17:59-18:24).
• Marketability:
  • Oscar recognizes that fights at higher weights get more attention, and he still needs to “win over” some PR fans (35:26-36:11).

7. Life as a Champion & Cultural Symbol

• Relationship with Legends:
  • Oscar shares being named after Oscar De La Hoya, now working closely with both De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto (29:51-30:48).

    “Mi mamá me nombró Oscar por el Oscar de la Hoya. Ahora estoy firmado con Golden Boy.”

• Cultural Representations:
  • The significance of walking into the ring with his pava (Puerto Rican straw hat), a symbol since before Bad Bunny popularized it (33:00-33:09).

8. Inside Training and Preparation

• Physical Preparation:
  • Talks about the meticulous strategy behind rehydration after weigh-ins and about switching from running to biking to protect his knees (39:00-40:27).
• Mental Visualization:
  • Oscar admits to dreaming about fights and knockouts, even losing sleep visualizing outcomes (41:04-41:42).

    “Yo ni duermo, brother… hago una clase de película… ya yo sé con quién voy a pelear después.”

9. Facing Upcoming Challenges

• Next Fight vs Jason Bason:
  • Oscar respects every opponent, sees this as another opportunity for legacy, and describes his final training stage as focused on speed while weight-cutting (39:29-40:10).
• Prediction on Canelo vs Crawford:
  • Oscar favors Canelo by KO in rounds 10-12 (46:51).

10. Advice and Endorsements from Boxing Legends

• Cotto's Endorsement:
  • “Va a ser la cara del boxeo puertorriqueño por los próximos diez, doce, trece años.” (43:35)
• Oscar De La Hoya's Support:
  • Oscar De La Hoya tells him, “Tú sigues trabajando y tú vas a el futuro; una super leyenda en el boxeo puertorriqueño.” (44:24)
• Collazo’s Self-Proclamation:
  • Oscar unashamedly repeats:

    “YO SOY LA CARA DEL BOXEO puertorriqueño… todo el mundo me tiró pero bien duro… pero ahora personas como Miguel Cotto o Carta que lo digan… ya no puedo decir nada con eso.” (44:58-45:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Taking Punches and Learning:
  • “Primer asalto, pa, nariz partía… En el séptimo asalto tiré al rival y me gritan que con calma. Hice lo contrario y zas, me tumbaron a mí.” – Oscar (08:01)
• On Handling Public Criticism:
  • “Yo hago mi trabajo, yo sé que lo puedo hacer. Yo veo los comentarios y me río… ¿Este con la pipa criticando?” – Oscar (11:38)
• On Growing Up Fighting:
  • “Peleaba con el mismo chamaco todos los días… A veces yo ganaba, a veces él ganaba.” – Oscar (20:34)
• On Not Being Distracted:
  • “Pase que llevo un background bueno de aficionados… Yo hice alrededor de 150 peleas.” – Oscar (12:46)
• On Being Undisputed:
  • “Luego de esta pelea… para 2026 quiero la pelea de unificación. Nadie lo ha logrado.” – Oscar (17:59)
• On Cultural Identity in Boxing:
  • “Algo que me define full es la pava entrando. Ese es mi emblema.” – Oscar (33:00)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------|--------------| | Oscar’s beginnings, discovery of power | 01:36–04:20 | | Handling adversity, fighting with a broken nose | 06:10–09:15 | | Coach Ortiz on Oscar’s toughness | 09:15–10:17 | | Mental game, ignoring critics | 11:26–14:00 | | Oscar’s upbringing, life in Newark & PR | 20:15–24:34 | | Transition from baseball to boxing, undefeated amateur run | 24:54–25:57 | | Major milestones & unification | 27:36–29:14 | | Training details, hydration, biking | 39:29–40:27 | | Visualization and mental focus | 41:04–41:42 | | Cotto & De La Hoya’s advice | 43:35–44:56 | | Oscar’s “Cara del Boxeo” claim | 44:58–45:43 |

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is authentic, spontaneous, and alternates between laughter, deep personal introspection, and passionate debate. Oscar Collazo speaks with the humility, confidence, and swagger typical of a champion who is proud of his roots and keenly aware of his place in Puerto Rican sports lore. Chente fosters a warm, playful but probing environment where Oscar’s discipline, humor, and fighting spirit shine through.

Final Notes

• Catch Oscar Collazo’s next defense: DAZN, Saturday, September 20, 2025
• Social Media: @oscarelpuupilocollazo (IG), Oscar Collazo (Facebook)
• Closing words:
  • “Yo soy la cara del boxeo puertorriqueño” – Oscar Collazo (44:58)
  • “La bola está en tu cancha, no Preseo.” – Miguel Cotto as relayed by Oscar (43:35)
• Chente’s send-off:
  • “No te lo pierdas. Si te lo pierdes, ¡eres un huele bicho!” (47:31)