Bellew battles BJ Flores for first title defence, Campbell clashes with Mathews in Liverpool

The defending champion has overcome the likes of recently crowned WBA light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly and hard-hitting Pole Mateusz Masternak in recent ring outings, and the Liverpudlian has warned his latest challenger to expect a rough night.

“I’ve worked hard, I’ve done everything I can in camp and it is what it is so we’ll see where we are come Saturday night,” said Bellew, who is 8/13 to become the first man to knockout Flores.

“I’ve opened my mouth, I’ve done what I said over the years, but ultimately I’ve always got in the ring and tried to back it up as best as I can. The target is on my back now, firmly set there so I have to just go out there and show what I’m about.

“I don’t think you’re ever going to find someone with my mentality struggling to get up for fights. I understand what’s at stake every time I step in that ring and believe you me – I’ll show what’s at stake Saturday night.”

Californian Flores boasts five more wins and three more KOs than Bellew in his long-standing career, but lost his only other bout away from home. The 37-year-old is 6/1 to cause an upset on his UK debut, though the home fighter enters at 9/2 to end proceedings early inside rounds 1-3 in front of a rapturous partisan crowd.

Campbell collides with Mathews on undercard

In what is an intriguing lightweight match-up on the undercard in Liverpool, Britain’s 2012 Gold medallist Luke Campbell (14-1, 11 KOs) enters the lion’s den to tackle home hope Derry Mathews (38-10-2, 20 KOs).

The Hull fighter is aiming to reignite his career with success on Merseyside by successfully defending his current WBC Silver lightweight strap and a strong performance could put on the path towards a world title shot.

Campbell will take to the squared circle at 2/1 to earn a points decision triumph, while gritty competitor Mathews 10/3 to hand his opponent a damaging second professional setback.

There’s plenty of other British and Irish talent on show too, with Belfast’s Ryan Burnett entering as the odds-on 1/7 front runner to get the better of Merseysider Ryan Farrag (4/1) and claim the British bantamweight crown.

Sean Dodd is also a highly favoured 1/9 to oust Francesco Patera (5/1), while Tom Farrell (1/16) faces Farid Hakimi (7/1) and Liverpool super-middleweight Rocky Fielding (1/200) takes on Istvan Zeller (18/1).

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