LAS VEGAS – “I think this fight doesn’t reach the final bell,” said Dominican Republic southpaw Alberto Puello, the junior welterweight contender who is 22-0 (10 KOs) and will box for the interim WBC 140-pound title on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I’m just as potent as my opponent and I have knockout power as well,” Puello said.

His opponent, Gary Antuanne Russell, is 17-0 (17 KOs), fighting out of Capitol Heights in Maryland, and he was equally confident at today’s Grand Arrivals at the venue.

Wearing a T-shirt that read “Pray for me, don’t hate on me” across it, Russell said: “I’m stoked. I’m here where I’m supposed to be. It’s nothing new. We’ve been preparing for this moment. It’s been a long journey, but this is just a pit stop.”

Russell is a southpaw, but that only added to Puello’s confidence. “It’s gonna benefit me because I’m used to fighting southpaws and it’s been easy for me,” Russell added.

Then, asked who he would like to fight beyond Russell, Puello said: “First things first, let’s win this fight. Then anyone can come my way. I’m willing to face anyone in my division.”

Puello was made to wait some 20 minutes for his opponent to arrive.

Russell, the valedictorian of his high school class, said his IQ out of the ring helped him inside the ring, because when fighters want to throw down he can use his intelligence.

“I’m not looking for a knockout,” he said. “I’m looking to showcase my talent, but if I do bet on myself for a knockout, I would go for the ninth.”