Lightweight contenders Michel ‘La Zarza Ali’ Rivera and Frank ‘The Ghost’ Martin are both promising to come in hot when they clash at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.
“We know that Martin is a good boxer with abilities, but I’m the guy,” the 24-year-old Rivera from the Dominican Republic said. “I’m bigger and stronger. He’s strong and confident too, but I’m more confident. This is my time and I have to do everything to win this fight.
“This fight is everything. I believe that I’m more talented, but I like that he’s confident. For me, this is the best fight of the year. Nobody should miss this fight.
“I’ve really done a lot of work for this camp. This is my first main event and I have to make this my time. I’m dedicated and motivated. On Saturday, everyone will see a new superstar in the ring.
“It’s not normal for two undefeated guys to put their records on the line. I’m telling everyone, you can’t miss this fight. This is going to be amazing.
“He’s a southpaw, but that’s nothing new. I’ve been fighting with guys more experienced than him for a while. We know he’s got Errol Spence Jr behind him, but that doesn’t mean anything in the ring. I’m one hundred percent confident that I’m winning this fight.
“Everyone knows I’m a confident fighter. That’s because of how hard I work in the gym with Herman Caicedo and my whole team. I’m not going to quit and I’m going to keep pushing and be ready for anything Martin brings.
“I’m so excited to be fighting again on Showtime. I know that with a win on Saturday, I’m going to have the really big fights all set for me.
“Everyone knows me. I’m different. I’m the guy. I will win this fight. We’re going to talk in the ring.”
American Martin, 27, is equally confident of victory.
“We definitely believe in ‘Man Down’. Protect yourself at all times. Because I can get you up out of there at any moment in the fight,” Martin said.
“Come fight night, we’ll see who’s stronger and faster. He may have more length, but we’ll see who dominates and who hits the hardest on Saturday.
“I’m ready and I’m prepared. I put in all the hard work in the gym. Everything is done. Come fight night, I’m ready to put it all on the line. I know that I’m coming out with the victory because of all the overtime I put in while training.
“I’m coming to dominate. He’s a good fighter, but on Saturday night, I’m here to show him exactly what kind of fighter I am.
“This is the fight that’s going to get me to the next level. I’m not looking past Rivera, but my main thing is just to get in there and capitalise off the game plan and get the victory. Then we’ll keep going up from there.
“Rivera is a good, balanced fighter. He can punch, he can counter-punch, and he’s got some finesse to him.
“He’s got a game plan and so do we. We’re going to be ready to adjust. No matter what he comes with, we’re going to have something for him. We’ve got all the answers.
“This is gonna be an action-packed fight. We’re two undefeated fighters that are super hungry. You’re going to see a lot of hunger in that ring. We’re going to come out and do what we do.”
