Interview: Alberto El Patron opens up about retirement and one last MMA fight

During one of Impact Wrestling's weekly conference calls, Sportskeeda Wrestling managed to catch up with Alberto El Patron. Here are a few excerpts from our conversation:

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Q: Now that you're in your forties and have put together a body of work that is worthy of an induction into any hall of fame, do you have a retirement date in mind?

A: "Yes, I've been thinking about it, and I've been saying this in all of my interviews, including my post-match promos. I'm not tired of wrestling; I love wrestling. Del Rio fans — I love my Del Rio fans. I'm tired of the behind-the-scenes aspect of the business. The drama with certain independent promoters, keyboard warriors and the backstabbing — the dark side of wrestling — just isn't fun to deal with.

That's why I'm thinking of leaving the business pretty soon. Also, my life is fantastic right now, and I'm blessed because a number of fantastic projects are coming my way. My work with Combate Americas, in particular, has been incredible because the company keeps growing at an incredible rate. That's why I want to stop, so I'll probably work through 2018 and have a farewell, of sorts, in 2019. That's my plan if everything goes as I hope."

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Q: Are you interested in stepping into the cage one last time for Combate Americas?

A: "Yes, of course. I've been talking about this with my family, and I even mentioned it at a promotional event for Combate Americas. The first time, Bellator reached out to me, but the offer wasn't the right one, forcing me to turn it down. Then, my great friend and boss, Campbell McLaren, made me a huge offer — a fantastic offer — and everybody knows it.

I even went back to the gym to get back in fighting shape, but it — my fighting spirit — wasn't there anymore. I just didn't have the hunger to fight in the cage anymore, so Campbell McLaren hired me in a different capacity when I told him I couldn't help him.

However, in the past three months, I've been training really hard and getting back in really good shape. I'm in a terrific place in life, and I now have a number of projects to pursue outside professional wrestling. So, yes, I have been thinking about doing one more fight. Now, I'm not 100% certain about it, and I may change my mind.

But right now, after a conversation with my agent and lawyer, maybe I will do one more fight. But if I have one more fight, it'll be for my company, Combate Americas, and I'd love to be on the card for its first pay-per-view. If I'm going to step in the cage and get punched in the face, it has to be for Combate Americas."

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