Scott Quigg Unscripted: Entering Enemy Territory

I have fought 37 times as a pro (all but once in England) and have enjoyed one of the best hometown advantages in the sport. When I’ve fought at the Manchester Arena and other venues near my hometown of Bury, England, the crowds have been incredible.

This time, I will be entering the lion’s den when I challenge Oscar Valdez for the WBO Featherweight world title, Saturday at the StubHub Center (ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 10:30 p.m. EST).

To best honest, the crowd won’t impact me too much. I appreciate all the support I get back home, but when you get in the ring, it’s one-on-one, and you have to do the business. Whether all the fans are cheering for him or cheering for me, it doesn’t matter. In fact, I look forward to coming out and everyone booing me. They can boo me in, but they’ll definitely be cheering me out.

The fans are going to be cheering because the fight will be worth cheering for. As a boxing fan, Oscar is exciting to watch. He comes out there and goes for the knockout in every fight. He’s 23-0 with 19 knockouts, but he has flaws that I believe I can exploit. But, again, I’m expecting a very tough fight, one that I’m confident I’m going to win.

Whether people see me as the underdog or not, I don’t see myself that way. I don’t believe it will go the scorecards, either. Oscar and I sparred before, when we were both preparing for other fights. We got a glimpse of each other, and if the fight is anything like the sparring, the fans are in for a real treat.

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Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, remaining tickets for Valdez vs. Quigg, priced at $206, $104, $53 and $27.50, including facility fees, can be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.