Gabriel Valenzuela plans to follow the path of destruction laid by compatriot Mauricio Lara last weekend and KO Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr. in their 130lbs confrontation at the SSE Arena, Wembley, this Saturday.
Mexican banger Lara stunned former IBF featherweight king Josh Warrington in nine rounds last Saturday in a victory that sent shockwaves reverberating through the sport and, in his second bout outside of his homeland, Valenzuela (22-2-1, 13 KOs) is aiming to replicate that famous away win.
With overseas fighters now regularly gaining short shrift on the scorecards on these shores, Valenzuela is understandably not keen to leave this fight in the hands of the three British judges.
“The fight between Mauricio Lara and Josh Warrington was amazing,” said Valenzuela, 26, from Guadalajara. “It was a great night. We were all watching back in Mexico. I want to get the stoppage in this fight like Mauricio did!
“I’ve watched videos of Robbie Davies. I know he’s strong and fast but I have been preparing hard for this and I am here to win. We are aware of some of the questionable decisions from the judges in the UK recently. I don’t want to let this fight go to the judges, I’m coming for the knockout.
“I like to counter-punch and feint, which encourages my opponent to throw, I can then land my big shots. I have the chance here to surprise the British public, they don’t really know who they are getting but they will after Saturday.
“A win will mean everything to me. I’m here on a mission which will be the beginning of even greater things in my career. I would like to reserve any predictions but you can certainly expect an excellent fight.”
Main image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.