Hickman ready for biggest test

West Bromwich fighter Dean Hickman is hoping the appearance of Adnan Amar – who he knocked out in spectacular style – can inspire him to his biggest win tonight.

Underdog Hickman meets unbeaten John Murray (Manchester) for the English lightweight title at Nottingham Ice Arena on the undercard to the Carl Froch-Robin Reid scrap over 10 rounds.

Murray has won all 21 of his professional contests, stopping 11, while Hickman is bidding to return to winning ways after being stopped by Stoke's Gary Reid in April – his fifth defeat and third inside the distance.

But big-punching Hickman only has to look at former opponent Adnan Amar – who meets Walsall's Darren Gethin for the Midlands welterweight title on the same bill – to remind himself of his finest hour.

Back in 2004, the 27-year-old scaffolder knocked Nottingham-based Amar out cold at Dudley Town Hall and he's hoping his renowned punching power can emerge victorious again despite dropping down a weight to 9st 9lbs from light-welter (10st).

"I think he was out stone-cold for eight minutes," recalled Hickman. "If I can deliver that type of performance again then I'll have the belt in the bag.

"Looking at his record, he's one of my toughest opponents so we'll just have to see what happens.

"But I've been training well and I'm feeling fit.

"If I get my head around it, stick to my gameplan and wait for my opening, then I will deliver.

"If I go in there just looking to fight, I could end up having some bad luck.

"I have to be a bit more cautious and clever, then try to step it up and go for the knockout if I can.

"I've got that shot within me as I've proved before and it's time I did it again.

"The odds are stacked in John's favour, but I've just got to get in there and prove everyone wrong.

"I've got a good few fans travelling up so I'll have some good support and I hope I can bring the belt back.

"Murray is talented and has a very good workrate but I know I have the strength, the power and the heart to stop him."