By Ryan Burton
Diego De La Hoya (15-0) will have the biggest fight of his young career on one of boxing's biggest stages when he faces Orlandito Del Valle (22-2) on Saturday night. The fight will open up the Canelo Alvarez-Liam Smith pay-per-view telecast from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The super bantamweight prospect believes that he is ready for the task at hand.
"My training camp has been great. We did 9 weeks total. I've been sparring with some of my trainer Joel Diaz's prospects and getting in good conditioning with my strength and conditioning coach Saba Rosas. I know that he has more experience than me but I am ready for this type of fight and I am ready to show everybody the type of fighter that I am," said De La Hoya.
The fight will pit Mexico against Puerto Rico and Diego is looking forward to becoming a chapter of the famous rivalry. He is very confident that he will be able to notch another win for Mexico even though Del Valle has fought the tougher competition.
"The rivalry is great and I am happy to be part of that. There have been lots of great fights in that rivalry and this fight is not going to be the exception. I am really looking forward to it," De La Hoya explained.
As for the main event, Diego expects an action packed fight and sees a knockout occurring. He is confident that his stablemate Canelo will be able to stop Smith.
"I think it is a tough fight for them both. It should be a very good fight. They are the type of fighters that will do whatever it takes to win. Both fighters are young and it will be a power struggle. Both guys have a lot of power and I don't think it will go the distance. I think Canelo will knock him out. I don't know which round it will end but it won't go 12," De La Hoya told BoxingScene.com.
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