The countdown begins. In just 9 days, on February 24 Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions will team up to present an exciting fight card at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, Delaware.

Scheduled to be televised on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” the main event boasts a 10-round super featherweight match up featuring Tijuana, Mexico’s Juan Carlos Burgos (28-1, 19 KOs) versus former IBF featherweight world champion Cristobal
Cruz (39-12-3, 23 KOs). This will be Burgos’ first defense of his WBC Silver super featherweight title.

We caught up with the Tijuana native; as he gets close to wrap up his preparation.

1. What do you know about your opponent Cristobal Cruz?

Since Cruz is a former champion, I know him very well. We are from the same town and we sparred a number of times. I know for a fact that he is not taking any chances in his preparation to fight me and it will be a great match. He will be ready for me and it will be an all-action bout. Boxing fans will get their money’s worth and can expect to see an unrelenting, aggressive Cruz.Our styles mesh well but I know I will be better than him that night. We both have power, we like to trade and are very offense minded, but I’m younger, hungrier and I need this win to keep on going with my career.

2. What is your game plan for this fight?

I have been been putting in the work and training hard and making sure that I eat a healthy diet. There is not much more that I can say about my game plan because I need to keep that private. It’s part of my team’s plan. We don’t want to put that information out there because we don’t want Cruz know what to expect from me. I just want Cruz to know that I am up for the challenge.

3. Do you feel more pressure since this is the first time that you are defending your WBC Silver super featherweight title?

I don’t feel any added pressure. I am aware that I have more on the line but when I fight I always have the same sense of urgency to win. I fight to win. It doesn’t matter what is on the line. The one thing that a true fighter wants is to win. Cruz also has huge pressure, he has to prove he is not done and that he can mix it up with a guy like me, he is former champion and I respect him.

4. What are your plans should you win this fight?

I don’t make plans until I get the win. I am not looking past Cristobal Cruz. I am focusing on my fight against him first and foremost but one plan outside of boxing that I do have is that my promoter in California promised me a visit to Disneyland, so I want to go. I have never been there and I really want to see it for the first time but before I can do that I have to beat Cruz.

Tickets are priced at: $200, $125, 120, $95, $70, $55, $50, $40 and are available for purchase through VIP Services at 800-711-5882, or online at www.doverdowns.com/entertainment.

Doors open at 6:30 P.M. (All times Eastern Time)
First fight: 7:30 P.M.
ESPN telecast: 9:00 P.M.