Argentinian boxer Chris Algieri is rapidly moving up the ranks in the Light Welterweight division. Undefeated at 19-0, with an upcoming fight scheduled for June 14 at The Barclays Center, Algieri is headed to the top. We caught up with boxing’s rising star at the launch party for the new Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition.

The former ISKA (International Sport Karate Association ) World Welterweight and WKA (World Kickboxing Association) World Super Welterweight Champion also holds a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Science from Stony Brook University and a Master’s from the New York Institute of Technology as a Clinical Nutritionist.

HOMBRE: Chris, you are currently undefeated, what’s next for you?
Chris Algieri: We are in negotiations right now. We’re looking for a big fight this June. Just waiting for all the numbers, the venue and all the details to come together but I’m coming back to the ring soon. (Since the interview it has been announced that Algieri will fight Ruslan Provodnikov at The Barclays Center on June 14, 2014.)

H: What is your background as a fighter?
CA: I started with kickboxing. I was a professional two time champion. It was a great sport but there’s no money in it and I’ve always loved boxing so it was an easy transition.

H: Was it difficult to make the adjustment?
CA: At first; I think I still am to tell you the truth. I had so many years of kickboxing under my belt and changing over to boxing is a different sport. Some of the same techniques are involved but it’s definitely a different sport, different rules. And it’s tested at a much higher level so I really had to pick up my game in the past five years since I started boxing.

H: Were there training adjustments?
CA: One hundred percent! Boxing is a lot faster than kickboxing. Kickboxing is more a power sport, and boxing is much more speed and combinations and conditioning. I definitely had to train – I wouldn’t say harder – but I definitely had to train in a different way.

H: What is your involvement with the brand Cutty Sark?
CA: Cutty Sark is a great brand. It’s been around for a very long time. They’re coming out with this new Prohibition Era style whisky and the whole idea is that it’s real, unadulterated, and authentic. I really feel that my brand Chris Algieri is also the same way. Very real and authentic and I touch my fans in a real way, so it’s a great way to partner up.

H: Can you offer some quick training advice?
CA: Anyone who wants to pursue a fight career, whether it be amateur, pro, exhibition, anything… The first thing that you need to do is get in the best physical, cardiovascular, muscular, endurance shape that you can. Get in shape first. You can learn much faster when you’re in shape.

H: What routine do you follow?
CA: I train six days a weeks generally. Two to three times a day during training camp. I’m a nutritionist by trade so I do my own food, I make my own diets. It’s a lifestyle more than anything.

H: What fighters did you admire coming up? 
CA: I grew up watching Oscar de la Hoya, a guy I modeled myself after. Also watched Mike Tyson who was a Heavyweight but such an amazing fighter. Sugar Ray Leonard; Alexis Arguello, a little bit older from Nicaragua. Those are the guys I think about when I think of boxing,

H: You are currently a Light Welterweight (140lbs), are there plans to move in class eventually?  
CA: The plan is to win a World Title here, and then move up to 147 and win another one there.