Unbeaten Felix Trinidad of Puerto Rico makes his first defense of the World Boxing Association super-welterweight crown Saturday against Senegal-born Frenchman Mamadou Thiam.
"Tito" is 37-0 with 30 knockouts and a 30-1 betting favorite over Thiam, 33-1 with 30 knockouts, in the 12-round title bout.
"I intend to win by knockout in the fifth round," Trinidad said. "But if he fights well, I'm ready to go the distance and win in 12 rounds. He's a good boxer but he's not very fast in the ring."
Trinidad dethroned Oscar de la Hoya in their battle of unbeatens 10 months ago, then moved up from the welterweight ranks and defeated another American, David Reid, for the WBA title.
"I'm the best fighter in the world," Trinidad said. "I know the way it is."
Should he dispatch 28-year-old Thiam as expected, Trinidad, 27, is expected to have a December matchup against undefeated International Boxing Federation champion Fernando Vargas.
But European champion Thiam, confident of his ability to pull an upset, has little interest in Trinidad's impressive list of victims.
"Against me, it does not matter," Thiam said. "I will make the difference with my moves and end it with a knockout."
Thiam, 28, said he must start well against Trinidad, 27.
"Trinidad is a great champion and he merits respect," Thiam said. "But I'm here to take my best shot,” – (AFP)
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