Monday 20 February 2017 12:36, UK
Rakeem Noble is relishing the "perfect" opportunity to test himself against Tommy Coyle after agreeing to battle the hometown favourite in Hull.
The 27-year-old Londoner has been named as a replacement opponent for Coyle on the undercard of Gavin McDonnell's WBC super-bantamweight fight with Rey Vargas this Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
After a training camp in Thailand, Noble happily stepped in to face Coyle following the withdrawal of Kofi Yates through injury, and believes he is more than ready for the battle-hardened Yorkshireman.
"I like to believe it was all perfect timing," Noble told Sky Sports.
"I was away in Thailand for a week and a half on a training camp. Just 48 hours after I got back, I had a message from my manager Steve Goodwin, saying 'can you be ready in three weeks to take this fight with Tommy Coyle?'
"Of course. I was still on fire from the previous training camp. I've kept the training going at high intensity and that brings me to today. I'm feeling ready and better than ever.
"Normally when a fighter gets called up at short notice, three weeks before a fight, the opposition is hoping that they have been out of the gym, haven't been putting in too much training. But for me it was actually the opposite."
Noble received coaching from a former opponent of Manny Pacquiao during his trip abroad and also tested his stamina in humid conditions.
"I was working with a boxing coach who fought Manny Pacquiao in 1997, Chokchai Chockvivat," said Noble.
"It's always good to work with people who have shared the ring with legends. I was training in 28 to 30 degrees a day, multiple sessions. The food was good and fresh. It was a brilliant experience."
Two impressive wins demonstrated Noble's potential last year as he firstly ruined Sohail Ahmad's perfect record to claim the Southern Area title, and then defeated another unbeaten fighter in Kay Prospere on points.
Coyle has already earned his reputation for exciting fights and Noble is predicting a memorable encounter for the fans.
"What can they expect? They can expect to be entertained, they can expect a show," he said. "Me and Tommy both like to come forward, we both like to fight, and that's why I expect a gripping fight and am sure our styles will gel.
"It will be one to watch definitely."
Hull star Luke Campbell features on the packed bill as he defends his WBC silver lightweight title against Mexican Jairo Lopez, while unbeaten bantamweight Ryan Burnett, and heavyweight David Allen also return to action.
Watch Gavin McDonnell vs Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC world super-bantamweight title from the Hull Ice Arena, live on Sky Sports 2, Saturday, from 8.00pm.
