The chance of losing to Marriaga (20-0-0, 18 KOs), seems greater than Walters (25-0-0, 21 KOs) chance in his sixth round knockout victory over Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire last year.
Consider this: Marriaga beat Walters in a four-round amateur fight and out of his 20 pro fights, Marriaga won 18 via knockout with only two via unanimous decision.
Marriaga had a very impressive debut in the U.S. last year, scoring a sixth round victory over Christopher Martin in October 2014 at the Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, California, followed by another TKO victory against Carlos Martinez in December last year.
Walters is riding his on his sensational knockout victory against Filipino Nonito Donaire last October at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Walters, who hails from Montego Bay, Jamaica, downplayed Marriaga’s punching power, saying he could not remember losing to Marriaga in the amateur competition.
“Marriaga may have beaten me in the amateurs but I do not remember it. Besides those fights are four rounds. On Saturday we will be fighting 12 rounds. He may be bringing his ‘A Game’ but I am bringing my ‘A-Plus Game.’ I have trained for a knockout victory. I am going to destroy him,” Walters said.
For his part, Marriaga said he has the strength and the intelligence to beat Walters.
“Of course Walters doesn’t remember me beating him for a spot on the Olympic team…BECAUSE HE LOST! He’s not going to remember Saturday, June 13 for the same reason!
“After I beat Walters again on Saturday I look forward to unifying the titles in my next fight,” Marriaga added.
Walters and Marriaga are evenly matched but Walters has more ring exposure in his pro career. They both stand 5’7″ and almost have the same build.
Marriaga, who hails from Cartagena, Colombia is 28 while Walters is 29 years old.
