Nieves: If Inoue is Godzilla, I'm Megalon
Antonio Nieves knows he's expected to lose to Naoya Inoue, but says that's why the pressure is all on him.
As HBO's 'SuperFly' card approaches this weekend, one of the highlights is expected to be Japan's Naoya Inoue (13-0, 11 KOs) Inoue making his debut on US soil. After all, his opponent Antonio Nieves (17-1-2, 9 KOs) is a 30-year-old former featherweight-turned-batamaweight who will be trimming down to 115lbs for this fight (although he says the cut hasn't been a problem).
For Nieves, he's well aware of Inoue's reputation as the 'Monster,' and simply tells Michael Woods of RingTV that he's just ready to battle it out.
“If he is Godzilla, I’m Megalon and we’re just gonna have to fight,” Nieves said.
Nieves is taking comfort in knowing that all the pressure is on Inoue to put on a spectacular performance, knowing that he's expected to take a loss in Inoue's arrival.
“A lot of people are looking past me but that’s OK with me because I have no pressure. According to them, I’m supposed to lose. (Inoue is) the one that needs to impress. He’s the one that has to live up to his hype. Pressure is all on him. All I have to say is it’s OK if they are looking past me. I’m coming to fight like I always do. I’m physically and mentally ready to put on a show and to show that my name should be with the top names in this division.”
It's likely going to be an uphill battle for Nieves, though, as he's coming off a split decision loss to Nikolai Potapov in March, and Inoue is simply just a much more talented fighter.