Photo by Aaron Salcido.
Sergio “the Latin Snake” Mora is currently a boxing analyst for DAZN. He is a former WBC light middleweight champion and was the first winner of NBC’s The Contender series. Before joining the Zócalo program “What Does Boxing Owe Its Champions?”—presented in partnership with UCLA College, Division of Social Sciences and ASU Global Sport Institute—Mora chatted with us in the green room about growing up in East Los Angeles, where he got his nickname from, and LeBron’s Lakers.
What is your favorite ring entrance song?
I’ve had so many. I’ve come in to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Metallica, Talib Kweli—my professional debut was to Talib Kweli. My favorite one was “Five to One” by the Doors, at Staples Center [now Crypto.com Arena] when I fought Shane Mosley. And I mixed it with Vicente Fernández “No Me Sé Rajar.”
Tell us about your nickname, “the Latin Snake.” How did it come about and stick?
Two writers Robert Morales and David Avila—it was a mix of their writing that brought that nickname about. They said I had a slippery upper body like a snake—the movement, the way he picks combinations. I threw in “Latin.”
What’s one thing you like to do to get in the zone before a fight?
Be around my team. Go over the strategy. Here’s one thing that gets me in the zone: Every fight I have, my mom comes into the locker room and blesses me. I’m not totally locked in until my mom comes in and blesses me. It’s like a rejuvenation, like a holy spirit. The closest thing to God here is your mom.
What was one moment of filming The Contender reality show which stays with you?
When I won a truck. Me and Sugar Ray Leonard were in Las Vegas. They picked out eight playing cards, and whoever gets the ace of spades wins a brand-new Toyota Tundra. Before that, I’d never had a car, especially not a new one. I picked out the winning card. That was a bonus. I also won a shopping spree at Rodeo Drive. And a golf lesson at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. I actually won two trucks! I gave ’em to my brothers.
Muhammad Ali once said: “It isn’t the mountains ahead that wear you down. It’s the pebble in your shoe.” What’s one pebble in your shoe?
I’ve had many. But one that stands out is being at a crossroads of wanting to be the first one in my family to graduate college, which I was on the path to do. But then I made the Olympic trials. I had to choose one road. I chose boxing. I think I made the right choice, but that’s one that sticks with me.
Now that you’ve retired, how do you engage with the sport of boxing?
I’m a broadcaster for DAZN; I’m an analyst. I’ve had that job for 5 years now. I love it. I travel the world talking boxing. It keeps me doing what I love. And it’s something I think I’m pretty good at.
What’s a lesson you’ve learned from boxing that you carry with you outside the ring?
The best education is getting your ass kicked. Nothing beats the humility you learn, nothing beats the hard work you have to put in, nothing beats knowing that you’re not No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3, you’ve always got to fight for that spot. There’s a humbling lesson in getting your ass whooped.
Where is one place you like to go in East Los Angeles?
Los Petates, it was around the block from where I grew up. It’s on Hendricks and Whittier Boulevard. It’s been there easily over 25 years. It’s a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, the same women run it. If you blink, you’ll miss it. Still has the best Mexican food. I went there with my 8-year-old son a couple of months ago. The ladies there—probably in their ’60s now—recognized me. I introduced them to my son and ordered the same exact food.
I’m going to set up a metaphoric match. Which of these two would you put your money on?
Donuts vs. Cookies — Cookies. Easy! I was big with Mrs. Fields; I’m addicted to cookies.
L.A. Metro vs. L.A. Freeways — Neither. Uber.
LeBron’s Lakers vs. Magic Johnson’s Lakers — Man, don’t ever ask me that again, after LeBron choked for the final time! Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant will never get swept. Don’t talk to me about LeBron being a king.
Tacos vs. Burritos — Tacos, for some reason you can enjoy them more—put more salsa in them, take out stuff you don’t like because it’s not wrapped up.