By Elisinio Castillo
Unbeaten puncher Miguel Marriaga (20-0, 18KOs) is prepared and mentally focused to have a war with WBA featherweight champion Nicholas Walters (25-0, 21KOs), also regarded as a deadly puncher on Saturday night in an HBO televised co-feature from The Theater in Madison Square Garden. Walters is making the first defense since capturing the belt in October with a knockout of Nonito Donaire.
Marriaga believes his hard left hook will be the downfall of Walters. The two boxers faced each other in the amateurs with Marriaga winning a decision.
The fight is not expected to go the distance by most experts.
"The left hook is my favorite punch. I've improved so much. I know it's going to hurt my opponent," Marriaga said. "[We faced each other] when we were amateurs. It was in Guatemala and I won by a wide decision. And now we face each other again for the world championship."
"We've analyzed the videos [of Walters] with my coach Samuel Gomez. The formula to win is knowing how to box and attack with combinations. I know my hook will do a lot of damage."