Wednesday 7 June 2017 14:45, UK
Lee Haskins has already set foot on foreign soil ahead of his world title defence, despite his fear of flying.
The IBF bantamweight world champion puts his title on the line against unbeaten local star Ryan Burnett at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
Haskins has a well-known fear of flying but was more than happy to make the short trip from Bristol on a ferry and is ready to take Burnett and his supporters into stormy waters.
"I'm not the greatest on planes so we chose to get the ferry over," said Haskins. "My family and I decided to go a bit earlier and make more of a trip about it.
"It's not too far so it gives me and the kids a bit of time to catch up and it's something different, rather than just jumping off a plane straight into the hotel. Now we get to have a little detour and have a little adventure.
"It's going to be a hostile crowd but truthfully it doesn't bother me. I've boxed away time and time again so I know what's coming.
"I've boxed in Monaco, Belgium and Morocco and in plenty of backyards in the UK. It doesn't bother me, a ring is a ring."
Haskins will be making the third defence of the title he picked up after flying out Las Vegas back in November 21, only for IBF title holder Randy Caballero to fail to make the weight.
'Playboy' made his first defence against Ivan Morales in Cardiff before out-pointing long-standing rival Stuey Hall at the O2, London, last time out.
"I'm really looking forward to fighting in front of such a knowledgeable crowd and of course to my own fans, I'm always grateful for your continued backing," he said.
"I am very excited - I'm more excited for this one than I have been for a long, long time. I'm happy and content going into this fight and I'm looking forward to visiting Belfast."
The world title fight tops a busy bill, that sees Paul Hyland Jr faces Adam Dingsdale, with the IBF European Lightweight strap on the line, James Tennyson taking on Ryan Doyle and the cruiserweight debut of Cork-based former heavyweight Mike Perez.
Watch Lee Haskins v Ryan Burnett, live from Odyssey Arena, Belfast, on Saturday night, on Sky Sports 2, from 8pm.
