Wright meets the undefeated Irishman over 10 rounds in Limerick tonight.

No titles are at stake but with both fighters aiming for major championship openings, victory is vital for their careers.

And the Gus Robinson boxer admits friendship will have to go out of the window – until after the final bell.

"Paul's classy and he's someone I have a lot of respect for, both as person and a boxer," said the 29-year-old.

"This is business though and I know I'm going to have to go there and knock him out.

"Fighting over there on their show, I'm two or three rounds down before I get in the ring.

"I know I can't afford for it to go to points – I have to knock him out."

Wright and McCloskey were pals back in their amateur days and have fought under the same Frank Warren umbrella in the professionals.

Now rivals instead of colleagues, they must exchange punches instead of pleasantries.

"We became friends during our amateur days," said Wright. "We know each
other pretty well.

"We spent quite a bit of time around each other when we were younger.

"We'd see each other at various International competitions and Olympic
qualifiers and the like.

"We even stayed together at Crystal Palace when we were there training with the national squad.

"I certainly saw a lot of him as an amateur but we never fought and we only sparred once and that was not for long, at the Palace

"It was a bit of a chess match.

"He's a counter puncher and so am I, so not much happened and I don't think you can read anything into it."

Wright and McCloskey look very well matched -– similar in many facets – age, style, wins, KOs.

The Ulsterman is two months younger, both are southpaws, who have won 16 times, with Wright edging the stoppage stats – nine compared to McCloskey's seven, though he has had six fewer contests.

"We're both southpaws, both counter-punchers, but I think I might edge him on ability, aggression and power," said Wright.

And the English champion is likely to need to produce that if he is to register stoppage success number 10.

Wright added: "Like I say, it's nothing personal, I hope me and Paul can have a drink after the fight, but I'm going there to knock him out."

The duo weighed in yesterday ahead of the battle at the University Arena in Limerick.

"I'm happy with the fight," said Wright. " Yes, I'd have preferred it to be in this country, but it's a good match.

"I'm disappointed it's not an eliminator and then we tried to get it to be for Paul's IBF belt, but obstacles seemed to keep popping up.

"The winner really should get a crack at the British title. That's what I want."