Lennox Clarke: I will be a nightmare in bid for two titles

The 29-year-old is a big underdog against former world amateur champion Hutchinson, who is unbeaten in 13 professional fights and tipped as a future star of the division.

But Clarke, boxing for the first time since losing narrowly missing out on the British belt to Lerrone Richards in December 2019, is confident of pulling off the shock.

He said: “All the pressure is on him (Hutchinson). There is a lot of smoke being blown around him, but he hasn’t done anything as a pro.

“All the hype comes from what he did as an amateur and he has to live up to all that. I know that I will be too big of an ask for him to deal with.”

Clarke has won 19 of his 21 professional fights, with one draw. Tonight’s fight will be broadcast live on BT Sport and tops the bill on the second show in 24 hours staged by promoter Frank Warren at London’s Copper’s Box Arena.

Clarke continued: “They’re saying he (Hutchinson) is going to be this star but he hasn’t even proven that he’s British level yet.

“I’m going to turn up on the night and be his worst nightmare. This will be the beginning of the end, as we’re going to see how he copes when he has an animal who wants to punch holes in him standing in front of him.

“I’m going to derail the hype train and expose him. I’m not hiding and I’m more than happy to tell anyone exactly what I plan on doing.

“They’re already writing me off and looking past me. Well, more fool them. I’m fit, no injuries to worry about and I’m fully able to perform.

“I promise Willy Hutchinson that he will not live with me on the night. What they’ve seen in my last fight, well I was the half the man I am now.”