“In the fight with Sergei Pavlovich, I learned that I need to trust myself. I need to be confident in what I have. Show up and show what I’ve got. My chin, my hands, my movement, my defense, everything.”
Delija offers a similar forward-pressure, heavy-handed style to Pavlovich, albeit in a smaller frame. But Cortes Acosta sees the bout as an opportunity to enhance his attributes and fight more positively as he looks to get on the front foot against the Croatian.
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“I see the similarity between him and Pavlovich. But I need to be more present, and be more me, be more ‘Salsa Boy’, and be more Waldo,” he explained.
“Because the last fight in Shanghai, you saw Waldo get too much pressure. But for this fight, I need to be pressuring, and throw my hands more. Then I’ll feel better (in the Octagon).”