Former champion Javier Fortuna is the underdog, but he's confident of shocking IBF lightweight world champion Robert Easter this coming Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Their bout will be the Showtime televised co-feature to Errol Spence making his first defense of the IBF welterweight title against Lamont Peterson.

Easter (20-0, 14 KOs) will be making the third defense of his lightweight world title since he won it with a split decision over Richard Commey on Sept. 9, 2016. He made two defenses, against Luis Cruz and Denis Shafikov.

Fortuna (33-1-1, 23 KOs) had captured his first world championship at the Barclays Center when he defeated Bryan Vasquez by unanimous decision for the WBA 130-pound title on May 29, 2015.

He lost the title in a big upset at the hands of Jason Sosa by technical knockout in Beijing, China on June 24, 2016 in a fight Fortuna led on the scorecards. Fortuna has won his last four bouts.

Fortuna has promised to bring back Easter's world title to the Dominican Republic and explains that he won't fail in his mission.

"I have no excuses on January 20. I hope he doesn't either. I will be taking that title to the Dominican Republic for my fans. I've been dreaming about it and I will take it. I have the style and the skills to beat Robert Easter. I know how to make sure his height does not affect me at all. Everyone will see it on fight night," Fortuna said.

"I've prepared myself very well. I have a plan to win every round. If he's able to stand there, I'm going to break him down round by round. I am fighting for more than just myself and that is why I'll be successful. I am going to prove that I'm truly one of the top fighters in the sport.

"Robert Easter is a fighter I respect, but I believe I can defeat anyone in front of me. If he takes me lightly, it will go even worse for him. I've been training hard to make sure I'm at my absolute best on fight night. A win would be great for my country, my fans and my family. Winning this title is everything for me. That's why I'm here and I will not be stopped."