BOXING: This is the beginning of the steep climb towards Bernard Dunne's dream of a world title. The foothills have been negotiated with sometimes too much ease - notably his last fight against Seán Hughes that ended in the second round - but on Saturday in the National Stadium former European champion Noel Wilders provides what is expected to be a more difficult challenge.

The Yorkshireman, who was to have been Dunne's opponent last time out but pulled out of the fight late, citing disillusionment and lack of interest, has rediscovered his appetite for the game. Just how much has yet to be seen but in Wilders Dunne faces a fighter who has fought at a high level and not that long ago.

But the Englishman has also lost three of his last four fights and over the last two years has fought only six times. In essence the former champion from Castleford has been a European bantamweight champion, but that was two years ago and the question is how much of that can be called on in order to stop Dunne from earning his 19th straight professional win.

What people are looking for from the talented Dunne is for a fighter to stretch him more and for him to show that he has the class to step up to a higher level, something he needs to do if his title wish is to come true. But promoter Brian Peters has never been one to push him too quickly and if Dunne can see off Wilders tomorrow night then a shot at Michael Hunter for the European Super Bantamweight title is likely.

"Noel took some time to think about his future after he pulled out of the fight with Bernard. He was a bit fed up with the sport I think but he's gone away, thought about it and decided he really wants a shot at Michael Hunter's titles," said Wilder's manager Michael Marsden.

"He knows a win over Bernard will put him right back in contention to win another European title so he's really up for the fight this time. He's trained all through Christmas and the New Year and I think the break from the gym has done him good."

"I'm delighted that Wilders has accepted the fight because I know Bernard was very disappointed when the fight fell through in October. Bernard wants to test himself and improve with every fight," said Peters. "He (Wilders) has some very good wins on his record over former world title challengers like Francis Ampofo and Paul Lloyd so he's definitely another step up."

In addition to Dunne, Michael Gomez arrives in Dublin for his first fight on home territory against Peter McDonagh with an Irish lightweight title at stake. McDonagh has decided to have spoon-bender, Uri Geller, in his corner. In the same way as former super-middleweight champion Steve Collins psyched out Chris Eubank by having hypnotist Tony Quinn in his corner, so, too, is McDonagh plotting for a similar result against Gomez. Gomez is hoping to launch himself onto the world scene again

PROFESSIONAL BILL

(at the National Stadium, tomorrow)

Super-bantamweight (10 rds): Bernard Dunne v Noel Wilders; Irish Lightweight title (10 rds): Michael Gomez v Peter McDonagh; Super-middleweight (six rds): Brian Magee v Daniil Prakapsou; Heavyweight (eight rds): Colin Kenna v Luke Simpkin; Welterweight (six rds): John O' Donnell v Zaid Bediouri; Light-welterweight (four rds): Stephen Haughian v Duncan Cottier; Featherweight (four rds): Andrew Wallace v Adjib Guessab.