Former WBA super bantamweight world champion Scott Quigg is not bothered by the likely fact that he'll be tagged as the underdog in a planned fight with WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez.
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who promotes Valdez, revealed last week that deal to fight Quigg was close. Quigg's promoter, Eddie Hearn, echoed that information.
According to Quigg (34-1-2, 25 KOs), the deal is "99% done" for March 10 at the Stubhub Center in Los Angeles, California. The contest would headline an ESPN televised event.
Valdez (23-0, 18 KOs) is viewed as a rising star at the weight and one of the boxers who Arum is really pushing on television.
Most boxing experts will be picking the younger Valdez to win, but Quigg is very motivated to upset the odds.
The two boxers sparred with each other in the past.
"He's not put a foot wrong. He's had 23 fights, 23 wins and 18 knockouts. He's done everything right," Quigg said to BBC Radio Manchester.
"The Americans are building him as the next big star so I'm probably a slight underdog, that's what people will be thinking. I don't see myself as an underdog. All I know is that I've got to put the work in and I'm very confident I can do the job."
Quigg has been rebuilding his career since losing a close twelve round decision to Carl Frampton in February 2016.
Since that loss, Quigg hired Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and moved up to the featherweight division and picked up victories over Jose Cayetano, Viorel Simion and Oleg Yefimovych.
Quigg is only 29 years old and he's already mapping out his future in the sport. The Bury boxer believes that he can fight on for at least another four or five years time.
"As a smaller fighter, if you look after yourself you can prolong your career but I'd say 33 or 34, max," Quigg said.
"When I'm not as good as I was because of reactions slowing down, I will not carry on because I've dedicated too much and it's too hard of a sport to mess about."