By Rafael Soto
Jose Uzcategui closed the heavy part of his preparation in Tijuana, for the upcoming IBF world title eliminator on Saturday, May 20, in Maryland, against the experienced Andre Dirrell.
The clash between "Bolivita" Uzcategui (26-1-0, 22 KO's) and Dirrell (25-2-0, 16 KO's) will be televised by Showtime.
"I feel very good, strong, fast. Dirrell is not going to beat me. It is true that he has experience but I have the youth, the strength. I'm going to fulfill my dream of being a world champion, I'm going to bring that belt to Tijuana and give my Venezuelan people satisfaction," said Uzcategui, who travels to the fight location on Sunday.
Uzcategui, who is promoted by Zanfer Promotions and managed by Jose Cital, has left no stone unturned in his tough training camp. The goal is to knock Dirrell out - and not a decision.
The fighter's managed expects Dirrell to go down within eight rounds.
"Dirrell, we've known him since the amateurs, he has a very particular style of fighting. He does not come forward and he is not very fast or very elusive, we have the key to knock him out. I do not think he will be able to last eight rounds," said Cital.
The weight is not a problem, says Uzcategui, who expects to make the super middleweight limit of 168-pounds without any issues whatsoever.
"I'm going to take advantage of what Dirrell wants to do, I'm a better boxer and I'm stronger, let's go for the world championship. I'm going to be the second Venezuelan to become world champion with a boxing legend from my country like Fulgencio Obelmejías., It would be a privilege to be on that list," said Uzcategui.
The fight will be headlined by another world title fight, with WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. defending his crown against mandatory challenger Oscar Escandon.