BOXING: James Tennyson is looking to rock Waterfront Hall

The Belfast fighter faces Declan Geraghty for the belt and Tennyson believes the experience he gained in his British title challenge against Ryan Walsh will stand him in good stead when he meets his Dublin rival in Belfast.

“It was beneficial fighting in front of a big crowd and I know the feeling of taking part in a big fight.

“But that time - it was at featherweight - and I felt drained on the weight, but this time I feel great and that experience of fighting Walsh will help me in the Waterfront Hall,” he said.

And Tennyson believes he knows what way Geraghty will come in to the fight for the Irish title.

“I think he will hit and move and do a bit of running.

“But I will bide my time because he can only bounce on his toes for so long and it will only be a matter of time before he is in front of me.

“We have had loads of sparring partners in with his style and I am confident going into the fight.”

Tennyson - with 13 knock-outs from his 19 professional fights - is known as a bit of a banger but he says he will not be looking for the KO.

“Yes maybe I can stop him but I am not going in there with that on my mind.

“I am preparing for a ten round war and if the knock-out comes that will be a bonus.

“We have actually been working in sparring not to load up on my punches.

“We have had awkward southpaws in for sparring and I have just been working on my boxing. We are just focused on boxing well.

“And I am not leaving the ring without that belt. There is no bad blood between me and Declan but I want the belt.”

The main fight on the bill is Jamie Conlan versus Yader Cardoza for the vacant WBC International Silver super flyweight title, while Tyrone McKenna takes on Jake Haney in an all Irish clash on the bill.

Paddy Barnes, Lewis Crocker, Marco McCullough, Phil Sutcliffe, Con Sheehan, Steven Ward, Gary Corcoran, Sean Turner and Troy Williamson will also feature.