Tuesday 4 October 2016 17:01, UK
Kiryl Relikh is the “real deal” and is ready to make the step up in class to face Ricky Burns on Friday night, according to the Belarusian’s trainer Ricky Hatton.
The undefeated Relikh (21-0-19KO) will take on three-weight world champion Burns (40-5-1-14KO) for the Scot's WBA super-lightweight title at Glasgow's SSE Hydro Arena.
The 26-year-old Relikh is trained by Hatton and spends a month in Manchester before each fight but still lives in Minsk.
Burns will enter the ring as a firm favourite to retain his title on home soil but Hatton believes Relikh, who is the mandatory challenger, has what it takes to cause a shock.
"I know a lot of people are thinking 'Who is Kiryl Relikh?', but this kid is the real deal," said Hatton.
"He has had 21 fights unbeaten with 19 knockouts. He hasn't boxed at Ricky's level yet but the manner in which he has won at the level he is at, shows he is the real deal.
"He has been with me six or seven years and he just blasts everyone. It is all right me saying this but he is fighting a three-weight world champion so he has to prove it."
Hatton recalled the night that former stablemate Michael Gomez upset the odds in Edinburgh by beating Alex Arthur in Edinburgh to take his British super-featherweight title in 2003.
"I was in Scotland when Michael Gomez beat Alex Arthur and no one thought he would do that," Hatton said. "I believe Kiryl will do the same."
Watch Burns v Relikh plus Dillian Whyte v Ian Lewison for the vacant British heavyweight title and more live on Sky Sports 2 this Friday from 8pm.
