By Victor Salazar
Brooklyn, New York - Super featherweight champion Jose Pedraza (22-0, 12 KO's) is finally getting a chance to defend his world title after a stint of inactivity.
Pedraza will serve as the co-featured attraction to the super middleweight unification bout between Badou Jack (20-1-2, 12 KO's) and James DeGale (23-1, 12 KO's). He will face fast rising prospect Gervonta Davis (16-0, 15 KO's) - and Pedraza feels it's about time he got this fight.
"I'm ready for this fight," Pedraza told BoxingScene.com. "I've been ready for the last year to defend this title I have. Gervonta's a strong fighter. I've been excited, I've been waiting for the last 7 months to get in the ring and I'm just excited about that."
Pedraza has the distinction of being Puerto Rico's only champion at the moment. He says that only adds to his will to keep the the tradition of being a champion for the island.
"Its no pressure," explained the Puerto Rican champion. "I put it in my favor. I know I'm the only champion. I always have my fans with me. They are a part of making me win and moving forward."
He knows his task is tough but feels this test will be exactly what he needs.
"Gervonta it a boxer strong and fast and agile," stated Pedraza. "I think its a really good test for me, but one thing's for sure I have to talk with the promoters. I don't think there is any problem but I want to fight more. I want to unify after this then move up to 135 and unify there. It's a fight to fight [strategy] but that's the plan after we beat Davis."
Pedraza, like the rest of Puerto Rico, still wants the world to pray for Prichard Colon, who has been in a coma for more than a year now.
"I love boxing and we all love boxing in Puerto Rico. But we need to keep Prichard in our prayers. Nothing is impossible and with each day I fight, I know he continues to fight to wake up from the coma."
