Javier Fortuna (33-1-1, 23 KOs) is not bothered by the height advantage of undefeated IBF lightweight world champion Robert Easter (20-0, 14 KOs).
The two are set to collide on January 20th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The card is headlined by Errol Spence Jr. making the first defense of his IBF welterweight world title against Lamont Peterson.
Easter will be making the third defense of his title since he won it with a split decision over Richard Commey last September. He picked up decision wins his last two bouts, against Luis Cruz and then Denis Shafikov in his last outing on June 30.
Since suffering an upset TKO defeat to Jason Sosa last June in Beijing, China, Fortuna has won four straight including wins over undefeated fighters Omar Douglas and Nicolas Polanco.
Now in a higher weight class, he's eager to gain a world title in the lightweight ranks.
He views Easter's height as his biggest attribute and plans to chop him down to size like several other tall opponents from the past.
"I see this like no other fight that I've had before, because every opponent is different. Everyone has their own niche at this level, something that works for them. His niche is that he's tall. He uses that to his advantage. But it's nothing that I can't overcome. I've fought tall guys before," Fortuna said.
"I prefer my opponents to be taller. It plays into what I'm able to do. I've never had a problem with taller opponents. Abner Cotto (5'10) is one of tall guys that I fought. I fought in Chicago and put on a great performance. (Fortuna scored a 5th round KO against Cotto)
"My goal for 2018 is to fight all the top elite fighters in my weight class, and I'm trying to become mentioned as one of the best in the sport. I really want to win another world title in a different weight class. It would be the biggest moment so far of my career to get another world title."
