Nicholas Walters, like Verdejo, is patient (45 punches per round. Wgt. class avg.: 58) and accurate with his power punches, landing 46% vs. Donaire, Darchinyan & Garza. Marriaga is busy (73 punches per round vs. Martin & Galicia), however, that busyness could work against him vs. the hard hitting Walters. Marriaga needs to be busy in an attempt to steal rounds, but he also leaves himself open to Walters counters.

Walters says he doesn’t recall losing to Colombian hard-hitter Marriaga as an amateur.

29-year-old Walters burst onto the scene last year with an emphatic sixth round stoppage over 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire, seeing his record go to 25-0 with 21 wins coming from knockout.

However, Walters has tasted defeat as an amateur that coming against the man he faces this weekend, something which he doesn’t remember too well.

“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,” said Walters.

“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,” he said. The

“I am overwhelmed to be fighting at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Boxing, because so many of boxing’s great champions have fought here. It is hallowed ground. It is my honour and I want to give my best performance there.

“To be great - to be known as the best - you have to beat the best and I am ready to take on all champions in my division and beyond,”

Walters said. Big-punching Marriaga, known as ‘The Scorpion’ due to his sting, has amassed an impressive 20 wins and no losses with 18 coming by way of knockout.

He has laughed off Walters suggestion that he has forgot about his loss to him and is convinced he will produce the same result now as a professional.

“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 this Saturday for the same reason,” said Marriaga.

“I have the strength and the intelligence to beat him and I will use my strength and intelligence. After I beat Walters again on Saturday I look forward to unifying the titles in my next fight,” he said.