Australian boxer Liam Wilson insists he won't be leaving Arizona without the super-featherweight world title belt he should have won last year, out to make it official against Mexican veteran Oscar Valdez.
Wilson and Valdez will square off on Saturday (AEDT) at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale - the scene of his controversial loss to three-division superstar Emanuel Navarrete.
The Queenslander stunned the heavy favourite in the fourth round last February, but the wily veteran was able to turn a 10-second count into a 27-second recovery, before going on to stop Wilson in the ninth round.
Wilson says he is set to claim a belt that is rightfully his, leading an Australian takeover in the US, with Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa also in world title fights in Las Vegas 24 hours later.
"The whole world saw what happened, I should have already become world champion," said the 28-year-old.
"I won the belt that night, it wasn’t awarded to me, but that’s just the way things played out.
"But we’re here now and we’re going to settle the score.”
There were also issues with the scales during the weigh-in before the Navarrete fight, but no problems with Valdez, who was an ounce heavier, with both inside the 130-pound (59kg) limit.
Wilson said he had kept focus despite the announcement this week that the WBO had elevated the fight to world title status, with the winner declared the interim world champion.
The interim title became available after Navarrete elected to move up and fight Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight world title.
If Navarrete wins and decides to stay up at lightweight, whoever holds the interim title "shall be elevated to full champion status".
“Every fight for me now is a world title fight, so I’ve prepared really hard for it," said Wilson (13-2, 7KOs).
“I’ve grown as a person, grown as a fighter, and I’ve had a year to reassess my abilities, so I’m better prepared now.
"This is my second run at a world title and I’ve shown in the past that if I can get a second run, I can be very dangerous. I’m very ready for this fight."
Former world champion Valdez (31-2, 23KOs) also fought Navarrete in Arizona last August, suffering a points loss.
The 33-year-old said he was desperate to regain top-dog status, but was aware of the danger Wilson possessed.
“The Interim title adds fuel to the fire,'' Valdez said.
"I’m very motivated, and I will do everything possible to win this fight.
“I know Liam Wilson is a tough fighter and (I) was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete, and he sent him to the canvas.
"So you better believe that I’m coming with everything because I’m expecting that same Liam Wilson.”
