Tuesday 6 June 2017 06:24, UK
Lee Haskins is looking forward to silencing the "best fans in the world" when he takes on Ryan Burnett in Belfast.
The IBF bantamweight world champion is defending his title at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
The local challenger is looking to follow in the footsteps of his inspiration, Carl Frampton, but Haskins is far from worried about the prospect of boxing in front of a big, vociferous Belfast crowd.
"I know the Belfast crowd. I've watched Frampton and maybe I shouldn't say it, but I will say it... they are probably the best fans in the world.
"They're loud and I've always wanted to box in front of them.
"I'll be the one getting booed but it is going to be a hell of an atmosphere and I can't just wait to be there."
Haskins will be making the third defence of the title he won after former champion Randy Caballero failed to make weight ahead of their scheduled title fight back on the undercard of the first Andre Ward v Sergey Kovalev showdown, back in November.
The Bristol 'Playboy' has since established himself as the IBF champion, out-pointing Ivan Morales and then beating old foe Stuey Hall last time out.
Haskins is yet to defend the title in his own city but is relishing the chance to chance to make the trip to Northern Ireland.
"It doesn't really bother me, to be fair," he said.
"It's a ring and exactly the same as any other ring around the world and it doesn't bother me, I've done it before and it's routine for me.
"It brings the best out of me. I've done it plenty of times and I've done it well.
"Boxing in his hometown isn't a problem for me. I am an athlete and I will go anywhere I have to, to do my job. I am just going there to enjoy it."
Watch Lee Haskins v Ryan Burnett, live from the SSE Arena, Belfast, on Saturday, Sky Sports 2, from 8pm.
