TWO Warrington fighters will contest a world title on Sunday.
Warren Brown will defend his WAKO Thai Boxing world championship belt against Mark Matthews from a rival gym.
It is unusual for a Thai boxing world title to be fought for between boxers from the town and Sunday's bout is set to be a real thriller.
But both camps are confident.
Brown's coach, Pele Nathan, said: "Warren has too much class. I don't think it will go the full five rounds and I think Warren will stop Mark."
Brown defended his other world title belt two weeks ago against Belgian Basha Valon but lost his bout before that.
Nathan said: "Mark will be an easier fight than Basha Valon. Warren is too powerful but he has had to knuckle down and can not take Mark for granted.
"The only reason Warren lost his fight before the last one was because of the problems with the weigh in, where he ended up starving himself to get down to the right weight.
"If you don't put fuel in a Ferrari it won't move."
However, Matthews has a mental advantage over Brown in that he was the victor the last time the two met. But that fight was not for the full five, three minute rounds.
Matthews' coach Neil Holden was confident but diplomatic.
He said: "Mark is the strongest he has ever been. He is annoyed he has had to wait two years to have another shot at Warren but he is grateful that Warren stepped in to offer his world belt after Mark had an intercontinental title shot pulled from under him last month.
"Mark is hitting very fast and we are confident despite being the underdog but we really respect Warren.
"Pele's gym is the number one gym in the UK and Warren is the flag bearer for that gym."
Brown is not worried about the fact he lost the last time the two met, mainly because it was over shorter rounds.
He said: "That was not proper Thai boxing because it was shorter rounds.
"It was a fight I was asked to do only the week before. I didn't treat Mark then as a threat and I couldn't get up for the fight.
"Now I know he is a good fighter and this time I am ready for him."
Brown is running a supporters' bus from Postern Gate, Sunday at 5.30pm. To book contact Warren on 07977049379.
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