Juan Manuel Marquez has backed Daniel Estrada to defeat Kevin Mitchell when the pair clash at The O2 on Saturday night (January 31), live on Sky Sports.
The Mexican legend is part of Team Estrada as he takes on Mitchell for the WBC Silver Lightweight title in a final eliminator the World strap.
Estrada challenged Omar Figueroa for that title in August in Los Angeles, giving the champion everything he could handle in an entertaining nine round fight on the undercard of Kell Brook’s World title win over Shawn Porter, and four-weight World king Marquez is backing his man to land a second shot at the crown – but knows that Mitchell poses a tough challenge.
“That’s a dream that Daniel has,” said Marquez. “He fought for the World title against Omar Figueroa, it didn’t go well but he wants to vindicate himself with the WBC Silver belt which will open the door to another World title fight. He comes with that dream, to win and then to fight for the World title again. I think that Mitchell wants the same thing.
“The most important thing here is to come and win with the mentality that he wants to fight for the World title. He comes motivated and with this big hope to win. Every fighter’s dream is to fight for the World title. That’s why he is here in England.
“Mitchell is a good fighter, he’s a man who has kept himself at a good level in terms of his style of boxing. I think it’s a difficult fight for Daniel, difficult because of Mitchell’s style and also because the fight is in his country. It’s an interesting and important fight and it will be good for the fans watching. I always say that when a Mexican is in the ring he’s going to put on a good show, and he wants the victory, that’s why fans enjoy fights involving Mexicans.”
Marquez joined Estrada in his ten week training camp with hall of fame trainer Nacho Beristáin, and he is in no doubt that ‘Tremendo’ is in the best shape possible to earn the win.
“I trained or went running with him often and it was a good training camp,” said Marquez. “He comes here in good condition, he comes to win, like all fighters do. He’s doing very well in terms of his condition. It was a tough and hard training camp and he’s here to put on a great fight.
“Daniel wanted to run in the mountains to be in great shape and get that strength and we’re hoping to see the results of that on Saturday.
“I form part of his team and I also have something to do with the promotion of Daniel with Fernando Beltrán and Zanfer Promotions. At the same time I support him in terms of training and what he has to do as a boxer. We help him outside of boxing as well.”
Estrada’s clash with Mitchell is part of a great line-up of action at The O2 as John Ryder defends his WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title against Billi Godoy.
There’s a tasty pair of Light Welterweight bouts as John Wayne Hibbert and Tyler Goodjohn meet for Hibbert’s WBC International strap and Tommy Martin and Ricky Boylan square up for the vacant English title.
Team GB star Charlie Edwards makes his hotly anticipated pro debut on the bill, as does Cruiserweight Isaac Chamberlain, as Ohara Davies, Ben Hall and Lee Markham make their first appearances in 2015.
Only £40 tickets are available for the show at www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202.
