By Miguel Rivera

Former world champion Cristian Mijare has a lot of respect for World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Miguel Berchelt, whom he will likely face on February 10 in Cancun, Quintana Roo.

However, the veteran believes that he has enough left in the tank, and enough tricks up his sleeve, to gain the victory over the dangerous puncher.

'Diamante' Mijares, 36 years old, said that against Berchelt, who is 10 years younger, he expects a very tough fight.

While Mijares admits that Berchelt is going through a great moment, he also believes the boxer has not had top level opponents with boxing ability and the experience that he has.

"I am already training for February 10 in Cancun," said Mijares (58-8-2, 26 KO's) to ESPN Deportes.

"I'm sure it's going to be a tough fight because Berchelt (32-1, 28 KO's) is a fighter, young, strong and hits hard."

Cristian openly accepts that even thinking about the idea of war with Berchelt would give the big puncher the opportunity to shine before his people, so the veteran will bet on his intelligence and his boxing ability to get the upset win.

"I'm preparing myself very hard to try to make a very smart fight. I have the experience and the boxing ability to be able to win. I am sure that I will give a great fight," Mijares predicted.

According to several sources, a few things need to get wrapped up to finalize the contest for Cancun. Mijares will arrive with a nine fight win streak - with his last defeat being a twelve round decision loss to current world champion Leo Santa Cruz in 2014 in Las Vegas.

After spending so many years in the sport, this fight is almost sure to be the final world title opportunity for Mijares.

"I have a lot of faith in myself and in my work, I have the discipline to overcome this challenge. It would be a dream to capture the WBC super featherweight championship towards the end of my career," said Mijares