By Rafael Soto

WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel "Alacran" Berchelt is on weight and in great physical form to make the third defense of his world title on Saturday at the Poliforum Zamna in his adopted city of Merida, Yucatan.

The event will be broadcast on Azteca throughout Mexico and by ESPN+ in the United States.

Berchelt (33-1, 29 KOs) will defend the green and gold belt against the experienced former world champion Jonathan Barros (45-5-1, 22 KOs) in the headline bout of a card being promoted by Zanfer Promotions and Max Boxing Promotions.

Berchelt arrived in Mérida on Saturday night and this Sunday he returned to his roots when training at a legendary gymnasium located on 61st and 42nd streets in the Colonia Centro, where the champion first began his boxing path while dreaming of being world champion.

"I feel very motivated and the adrenaline has increased in me since I arrived last night in Merida, and by coming here today to this legendary gym where I dreamed of being a world champion for so many days while training and fighting in Mérida. And now other dream of mine is going to be fulfilled," Berchelt said.

He added that he is only staying on weight doing light exercises and feels very strong.

Berchelt has scheduled several public events in Merida starting on Tuesday. He will be signing autographs, training, taking part in the press conference and the weigh-in ceremony.

Barros will arrive tomorrow. Due to an airline problem, the challenger and his team could not fly from their hometown of Córdoba, Argentina, which would bring them to Mérida, so the arrival will take place on Monday night.

The atmosphere in Mérida is one of great expectation for the event on Saturday and it is a fact that the arena will be full of fans to see their adopted son defend his belt.