The former WBC featherweight and WBA super featherweight world champion Jorge “Niño de Oro” Linares (28-1, 18 KOs) is finalizing his training in Japan for his July 31 battle with 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist and five-time world title challenger Ricardo “Rocky” Juarez (28-6-1, 20 KOs) of Houston, TX.
The 10-round lightweight bout will take place at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, NV as part of the undercard of the pay-per-view event “Fight of the Year: The Rematch” which is being headlined by Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez taking on Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz.
“I’ve carried out nearly 120 rounds of sparring,” said Linares. “I feel great and I’m 
dedicated to my training. We know the potential of Juárez, his style, his power and I’ve prepared very well for this opportunity.” Linares is coming off a ten round decision in March against Francisco Lorenzo in La Guaira, Venezuela. “I’m thankful for the support of those who have been with me and I ask the Venezuelan fans to continue believing in me,” he added.
“Well, first my opinion of Linares as a fighter, he’s a young good fighter. I saw him fight Oscar Larios and he performed very well at that fight. I think its going to be a very good fight and definitely one that the fans will like. Whether it goes the distance or not I’m just looking to go in there and give it my all and coming out with the victory,” stated Juarez.