Photo: Queensberry Promotions

Cuban great Guillermo Rigondeaux came face-to-face with Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens at today’s press conference ahead of their WBA junior featherweight title showdown at the Cardiff Ice Arena this Saturday.

Rigondeaux, who is rated No. 1 by THE RING at 122 pounds and No. 5 pound-for-pound, was quick to heap praise on the British challenger for agreeing to take him on and blasted all other junior featherweight rivals for avoiding him.

“I would like to show my respect and gratitude to Dickens for having the courage to take this fight,” said Rigondeaux. “All of the others like to talk but they don’t have the courage to actually fight. They know where to find me; I’m here and I’m ready to face anyone in the world. I’m quicker than FedEx and better than UPS.

“The Welsh fans are going to get an amazing show. We had an amazing training camp and I’m really excited to be here as I know you guys are massive boxing fans and I really appreciate all of the support. I’m ready to go.”

In a real “Rocky” story, Dickens comes into the fight as a huge underdog, but the plucky Englishman has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tear up the script and catapult himself into the world’s elite by defeating one of the finest fighters of this generation.

“I believe it is God’s will for me to take this fight,” said Dickens. “I’ve been dreaming of a fight like this since I was a little kid and I’m extremely grateful to all those who made this fight possible. We have a good game plan going in there and we’re confident we can cause an upset.

“I’m the massive underdog. I’d just like to say to all of the youngsters out there, don’t be afraid to chase your dreams and always believe in yourself. I’ve worked for this shot my whole life and I intend on grabbing it with both hands.”

Information provided courtesy of a press release issued by Queensberry Promotions

Tom Gray is a UK Correspondent/ Editor for RingTV.com and a member of THE RING ratings panel. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing

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