Photos: Luis Nery Putting in Hard Work For Yamanaka Rematch

Earlier today, Luis ¨Pantera¨ Nery, the bantamweight world champion under the WBC, showed strength and speed in a training at the Mayen Gym in Tijuana - with three weeks to go until his rematch with Shinsuke ¨God's Left¨ Yamanaka in Kokugikan, Japan.

¨Pantera¨ Nery (25-0, 19 KOs), 23 years old, had three rounds of sparring with Carlos Fontes and the brothers Juan Carlos and José Carlos Sánchez, where he proved to be accurate, explosive and full of reflexes.

Then he made an intense four round session on the mitts, where he showed impressive power and good hand speed.

¨We are ready to go in three weeks, it has been an excellent preparation, very complete with the nutritionist. The chef who prepares my food, all organic, physical trainer, doctors, my coach and excellent sparring. I am on weight, and eager to prove again that I am better than Yamanaka,¨ assured the pride of Tijuana at the end of his Zanfer Promotions training day.

Nery won the title with a fourth round knockout on August 15 in Kyoto, Japan over Yamanaka, but then tested positive for banned substance found often in contaminated meat and the WBC ordered a direct rematch.

Nery revealed that on Monday, February 19, he will travel with his team to Tokyo, Japan via San Diego, California.

¨We will arrive in advance to Japan to adapt to schedule changes and to comply with promotional events for the fight," said Nery.

He added that he is more confident than ever that he will defeat Yamanaka (27-1-2, 19 kos) again.

"I am sure that I will beat him again and there will be no doubt about Yamanaka and his team and he will retire from boxing forever. It is my time and I am just beginning to write my own story," said the Tijuana native, who will be making his first defense.

The contest will be broadcast by Azteca 7, La Casa del Boxeo.