Tuesday 11 October 2016 13:01, UK
Luke Campbell insists that he will not be daunted by the home support for Derry Mathews when the pair meet this Saturday night.
The Hull southpaw will defend his WBC Silver lightweight title against Mathews in Liverpool's Echo Arena on the undercard of Tony Bellew's first defence of his WBC cruiserweight world title against BJ Flores, to be shown live on Sky Sports.
'Cool hand' is coming off an impressive victory over former super-featherweight world champion Argenis Mendez as he regains momentum after suffering his first defeat as a professional back in 2015.
He will now test his skills against Mathews, who has 50 fights to his name and despite the scouser having a huge local fan base, Campbell, an Olympic gold medallist, is excited by the prospect of fighting in his opponent's backyard and is confident that it will only bring out the best of him.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, he said: "This is a great domestic clash and is a bit of a crossroads fight for the pair of us. It's definitely a tough test, Derry is a warrior who carries that single punch power that can end a fight whenever.
"We all know that he has a big local following and a great fan base, so I'm looking forward to going into his backyard.
"I've boxed in Liverpool and other places away from home before, but this is the first where I'm in a big domestic clash as the away fighter - I'm confident that it will bring out the best in me."
Campbell has once again been preparing for the fight out in Miami with Cuban trainer Jorge Rubio and is pleased with the progress they are making.
"The training has gone brilliantly and I couldn't be better prepared. I was out in Miami for around seven weeks away from my family and it's a big sacrifice for me to make, but it is definitely worth it.
"I'm getting more familiarised with the place and my relationship with Jorge, who is very passionate, is getting stronger and stronger - each camp is an improvement on the last.
"My technique is perfectly suited for Jorge and every session is changed and freshened up to keep me on my toes. He has also been bringing more of my amateur skills back out of me but as a professional, so we feel we are developing well."
Although the 29-year-old is refusing to look beyond Saturday night, Campbell is well aware that bigger prizes lay in wait should he leave Liverpool victorious.
"I want to keep moving towards a world title shot and we want to reach that goal at some point next year - that is and will always be my main focus in boxing.
"Other than that, the Scott Cardle fight is also there and I would like a crack at the British title at some point - it's a belt I would love to win. If he wants it, then it can very easily be made.
"That though is a fight for another day and I have a job to do on Saturday firstly and I am definitely not looking past Mathews."
Watch Luke Campbell v Derry Mathews before Tony Bellew defends his WBC cruiserweight world title against BJ Flores live on Saturday night, from 8.00pm, on Sky Sports 2.
