Former WBA Champion Jorge “Golden Boy” Linares is training very hard in Japan for his upcoming bout against Ricardo “Rocky” Juarez, set for July 31 in Las Vegas.

“So far I have put in about 120 rounds of sparring. I feel good and I am devoted to the my preparation,” said Linares at the Teiken Gym in Japan’s capital.

Linares returned in March with a decision win over Dominican Francisco Lorenzo in La Guaira.

So far, his record has 28 wins, of which 18 have been by knockout and he has a single blemish on his record, which was the painful defeat against Mexican Juan Carlos Salgado last October when he lost the WBA title of the world at super featherweight.

“We studied Juarez, we know his style, which is very courageous, and we are preparing for that. Once again I thank those who supported me and I have been fans, and the Venezuelans who still believe in me, “he said.

Juarez has 28 wins, like the Venezuelan, with 20 KOs, six defeats and a draw