The KO king Edwin Valero is ready to defend his WBC lightweight title against Antonio DeMarco in Mexico on Saturday, believing his experience will be key to his victory.

The heavy hitting Venezuelan is looking to notch his 27th knockout on the trot and, after sacrificing a lot to dedicate himself to training, is determined to make his efforts worthwhile.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday night with great anticipation," he said. "It’s going to be a great fight. I am very focused and have put in my work by training extremely hard as I do in all of my fights.

“I have sacrificed a lot by being out of my country and away from my family for so long. Because I have made the sacrifice to be away from them, I have nothing more to do than to dedicate myself to my training 100 percent. I give myself completely to my training because I want to make sure that my sacrifice was worth the while.”

Valero, 26-0 (26 KOs), won his first 17 professional bouts by first-round knockout and has stopped every opponent since. Taking the unusual approach of not studying his opponents prior to the fight, the 28-year-old prefers to make his assessment of his opponent in the ring.

“There was one time that I was overly confident and felt that a fight against my opponent would be easy. I found out only when I was in the ring just how difficult he was. But, that won’t happen again in my career because I learned my lesson not to take anyone lightly.

“I know that Antonio DeMarco is a fighter to be reckoned with and I’m prepared. I’m going to give it my all.

“I am positive that I am in a key moment of my career. I want to be a solid champion and continue to rise. I know it won’t be easy and I have to be cautious because the opponents are tough.”

Valero faces a tough match against the undefeated, once-beaten WBC 135-pound interim titleholder Antonio DeMarco, who is completely focused on his impending fight.

“I put 100 percent of myself into my training,” he said. “All of my fights are different in their own right but one thing remains consistent with me, I like to hit and I don’t mind taking the punches. It’s part of the sport. It’s boxing.

“My height should give me some advantage in winning the fight, but the true story about what happens in Saturday’s fight will be told in the ring.

“I feel privileged to be able to take on the best champion. I want to give Valero, his team and his promoter all the thanks in the world for accepting this challenge.

“I don’t like to think beyond Saturday. I am only focused on my fight against the great champion Edwin Valero.”