The 34 year-old meets formidable puncher Keith Thurman Jr for the WBA title at 147lbs and is under no illusions about the task that is in front of him on Saturday night.
“I believe Keith Thurman is doing heck of a job. He’s undefeated, I don’t take anything away from him,” said Collazo.
“In this sport anything can happen. I’m just coming in here prepared for this fight July 11 and you can count on me bringing my best to the ring in July. I’m just ready once that bell rings it just the tapes out the window everything is out the window. Whoever sticks to the game plan the best is who should come out victorious.”
Asked whether he is fazed by being the underdog in the contest, Collazo replied: Absolutely not, I’m going to go there my whole career so there’s nothing new.
“Keith Thurman is the champion so hey if I got to go to his backyard to fight for this world title that’s what it is. I’m just blessed to get the opportunity and we want to give the fight fans what they want to insight them and come July 11 on ESPN is going to be a heck of a fight.
“I just have to stick to my game plan. I’m prepared to go out for this fight and stick to the game plan and do what I do. So then I’m caught up with the hype and I just have fun.
“Every fight you have to come prepared for and yes you’re going to see weaknesses while you’re watching the fight with all the fighters but once you get in that ring it’s totally different so we just got to stick to the game plan and like that we can get the victory.
“On Saturday night it’s a great night of boxing on ESPN and I’m blessed and blessings to all,” he added.
“PBC on ESPN – THURMAN vs. COLLAZO,” a 12-Round fight for Thurman’s Welterweight World Championship, takes place Saturday, July 11, at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. The event is promoted by Warrior’s Boxing. In the co-main event, Tony Harrison will face Willie Nelson in a 10-round middleweight bout. It will air live on ESPN (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT).
