Robbie Davies Jr aims to kick start 2021 with victory over Gabriel Valenzuela in the fight for the IBF Intercontinental super lightweight title on Saturday.
The fight, which will be shown live on Sky Sports, will take place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on the Kelly v Avanesyan card and will mark Davies Jr’s first fight since March of 2020 where he secured a shut-out points victory over Damian Yapur in his first fight under renowned trainer Dominic Ingle.
Speaking pre fight, Davies Jr said: “I’m so excited to be back, it’s been almost a year so I am raring to go.”
The 31-year-old boasts an impressive record in the ring with 20 wins and 2 losses which includes 13 knockouts.
Davies Jr also previously held the British Commonwealth and European super-lightweight titles between 2018 and 2019.
The Liverpudlian aims to secure the vacant IBF Intercontinental Title which would also see him acquire a top 15 world ranking.
The former British Commonwealth champion is keen to push himself and make 2021 as successful as he can, he said;
“I’m expecting Valenzuela to bring his A-game. I’m expecting a hard fight but I want to move as quickly as possible this year. I want to get a big fight in the summer and another big name at the end of the year. I want this year to really push me on.”
Opponent Gabriel Valenzuela also boast an impressive record himself. 22 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss which also includes 13 knockouts. However, the 26-year-old has only ever fought outside his native Mexico once when he fought to a draw in Canada back in 2018.
Gabriel Valenzuela has said to have been inspired to follow in the footsteps of his countryman Mauricio Lara who knocked out Josh Warrington last Saturday at the Wembley arena.
The Mexican boxer said:
“The fight between Mauricio Lara and Josh Warrington was amazing. It was a great night. We were all watching back in Mexico. I want to get the stoppage in this fight like Mauricio did!”
“I’ve watched videos of Robbie Davies Jr; I know he’s strong and fast but I have been preparing hard for this and I am here to win.
“We are aware of some of the questionable decisions from the judges in the UK recently. I don’t want to let this fight go to the judges; I’m coming for the knockout.”
The Kelly v Avanesyan card will also see undefeated welterweights Florian Marku and Ryan Charlton take to the ring as well as Jordan Gill and Cesar Juarez.
Johnny Fisher also features, making his professional debut against Matt Gordan.
You can catch the first of the undercard fights live on Sky Sports Facebook at 6pm.
Coverage for the main event is televised on Sky Sports from 8pm onwards
