Boxing:European super-bantamweight champion Bernard Dunne greeted a packed pressroom at the Burlington Hotel today with a typically cocky grin before weighing in four ounces lighter than his latest challenger Kiko 'La Sensacion' Martinez.
The Spaniard looks a cool customer as well and represents the biggest challenge to Dunne since the Dubliner took the title from Esham Pickering at the Point Theatre in November last year.
Dunne, unbeaten with a record of 24-0, tipped the scales at 12 stone, nine pounds and four ounces, a weight he had no trouble making having fought his second defence against Norwegian Reidar Walstad as recently as June.
Walstad took Dunne the distance that night but Martinez, who boasts a record of 16-0, is expected to prove a far more testing opponent for the Neilstown fighter.
Typically, Dunne is not bothered by the hype surrounding the Spaniard and predicts an Irish win "regardless of his record".
The champion is equally confident of an intimidating welcome at the Point Theatre for the 21-year-old.
"He's never experienced anything like he'll experience tomorrow night," said Dunne, 27, safe in the knowledge that the Spaniard has never fought outside his home country.
Martinez, who has a reputation of being a big puncher, is not so sure.
"I have never, ever lost a fight. I had 40 amateur fights and I was never beaten and I won 38 of those by knockout," he said. "I'm looking forward to fighting in Dublin. I have boxed in front of big crowds before and I like to fight under pressure.
"Bernard is a good champion but I don't think he has fought anyone like me and I'm confident I can win."
The night will also see the first British title fight to be held south of the Border when Tony Oakey defends his light heavyweight title against Brian Magee. Portsmouth fighter Oakey has pedigree but Lisburn's Magee has been installed as the pre-fight favourite.
Another exciting prospect on the cards will be Limerick-born middleweight Andy Lee who will fight Belfast's Ciaran Healy.
Unbeaten Lee boasts 10 wins in his professional career and is home to prove he is the real deal under the guidance of American trainer Emanuel Steward.
