WIN against the opponent and the victory of the Mexican football team are two sports factors that motivate Danny Barrios to enter tonight’s match.
Barrios will face undefeated Artur Popoca for the WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight championship in the undercard between Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
Barrios’ preparation couldn’t have been better, and he faced Popoca in what he believed was the best form of his career.
“This is the best training camp ever, in terms of nutrition, strength and conditioning, in terms of boxing, everything is good. This is the best shape I’ve ever been in and tomorrow night it will show,” Barrios told Boxing news.
“I feel great, I feel great, very motivated to finally fight. It’s been three months of training camp and I feel good, I feel strong and I’m ready to shine tomorrow.”
While the title on the line may be a minor one, it does create a clear path toward future world title opportunities. Going over the 10-round distance for the first time will also be on the minds of Barrios, 15-0 (5 KOs), and his training team. But with the drive and fitness described above, that shouldn’t be an issue.
“We’ll see, we’ll see. I guess we’ll have to wait and see tomorrow night. I’m excited, if it has to go ten laps then I know I’ve got enough gas for it.”
That tank could burn out quickly if the 26-year-old lefty lets himself be drawn into a raucous crowd at the Footprint Center. A packed house of Mexicans, raising the temperature in the ring, could see fighters rise to the occasion or collapse under the weight of expectation.
“I’m super excited, my nerves are still not working. It’s weird. That’s how you know I’m ready, because my nerves are still not working. I’m so excited for this fight and I can’t wait to show the world who I am. I usually get nervous during fight week, but this is fight week and I’m not nervous. I’m ready to go out there and do my job.
“That’s what we want, you know? We want more big matches here [in Phoenix, where Barrios is now based]. It’s great for the boxing community to get together and organize big fights. If we can bring other fighters from here and put them in big fights, that would be great.”
The main event is poised to be something special. Bam has dominated the lower weight classes with aplomb and is fearless in taking on the best fighters around. Estrada is an elder statesman who has been there, done that, and has earned the WBC jersey after multiple world titles. Who does Barrios like in the main event?
“Man, I love them both – but I gotta pick America, man. I’m from the States, I love my Mexicans, my family’s Mexicans, everybody’s Mexicans. Bam just seems a little hungrier so I’ll go with Bam,” he predicted.
The main event will be lackluster if he fails to test his own next level by defeating Arturo Popoca, 13-0-1 (8 KOs), a Mexico native who is certain to have own ambitions and plans. Studying Popoca’s style was part of the preparation process.
“We know he likes to throw hook punches, so we’ll stay away from those! We know he likes to come forward, but we’ve had a great training camp and we’ll take the fight.” win on Saturday night.”
