LAS VEGAS, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Unbeaten IBF bantamweight champion Tim Austin will face one of the stiffest tests of his career Saturday night when he takes on Rafael Marquez of Mexico.
Marques is a mandatory challenger.
Austin (25
1, 22 KOs) has held the title since July 1997 and has made nine successful title defenses. In his last title defense, the Cincinnati native stopped rugged challenger Adan Vargas of Mexico in the 10th round to retain his title in July 2002.
"I feel really good mentally and physically, and am in great shape," Austin said. "I feel sharp. I am here to fight a very tough competitor. I sparred over 200 rounds. My mechanics are untouchable. I have good knowledge of the ring and my boxing skills just get better with each fight."
Austin, 31, a 1992 Olympic bronze medalist, captured the 118-pound belt with an eighth-round knockout of Mbulelo Botile.
Marquez (28-3, 26 KOs) is looking to join his brother as a world champion. Juan Manuel Marquez captured the IBF featherweight title in January.
"I have trained twice as hard for this fight, so I have the ability to become the next world champion," Marquez said through an interpreter. "I have been in camp preparing for this fight for over two months. I have that killer instinct that will take me to the next level."
Marquez has won seven straight fights, including two impressive victories over American Mark Johnson, who has dominated the lower weight classes and held titles in two divisions.
"We are both good fighters and we are both going to be hungry for a victory, but I am ready to fight and retain my title," Austin said. "In this fight against Marquez, I am going to have to keep moving forward and put him under pressure."
On the undercard, undefeated junior welterweight prospect Ricardo Williams Jr. seeks to continue his rise through the ranks when he faces late replacement Juan Pollo Valenzuela of Mexico.
The highly-regarded Williams (8-0, 5 KOs) captured a silver medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The 21-year-old southpaw from Cincinnati took a step up in competition in his last fight when he decisioned former 140-pound champ Terron Millett in November.
Valenzuela (15-6, 6 KOs) replaces Juan Carlos Rubio, who was forced to withdraw from the fight on Thursday because of a retinal injury.
