Thursday 12 January 2017 12:36, UK
Jose Pedraza has branded Gervonta Davis a Floyd Mayweather imitation ahead of their world title clash at the Barclays Center, New York.
Pedraza (22-0-KO12) will make the third defence of his IBF super-featherweight title against undefeated rising prospect Davis (16-0-KO15) on the undercard to James DeGale's super-middleweight unification showdown with Badou Jack.
The 27-year-old Puerto Rican has not fought since defeating Liverpool's Stephen Smith in April and is looking forward to facing Davis, who is promoted by Mayweather.
He said: "I feel ready to fight. I'm anxious to get in the ring. I can't wait to show the whole world what I'm made of.
"I let Davis do the talking. I like when people talk like that, because I get to shut them up on the night of the fight. He's a Floyd Mayweather imitation. Just like all imitations, it's not as good as the real one.
"I have the advantage in experience and in reach and height. He's going to try to bring pressure but I'll be ready for it.
"I don't think I'm underrated. People know my quality, which is why people avoid fighting me. I believe I'm the best fighter at 130-pounds.
"I'm ready for any type of fight. The question is, will Davis be ready? If he gets tired, he's going to have trouble in the late rounds."
Davis, though, is confident that he can upset the odds as the 22-year-old American takes his first tilt at a world title.
He said: "I feel great right now. I'm in tip-top shape. I had the best sparring available and everything went smoothly. I'm ready to go to work.
"We know that Pedraza is a world champion who comes in undefeated. He does a lot of good things in the ring but we'll be ready for them come fight night.
"It feels good to be on this stage. I feel ready to headline my own card. I'm ready to do my own thing and that comes with winning this world title.
"I haven't watched too much of him, but my team is prepared. He doesn't have anything I haven't seen before. We just have to execute the game plan when the bell rings."
Watch Jose Pedraza v Gervonta Davis on the undercard to James DeGale v Badou Jack's unification fight from the Barclays Center, New York, live on Sky Sports 1, 2am, Sunday, January 15.
