Bradley Saunders to fight in Hull’s Matchrrom show ahead of challenge for Dave Ryan’s Commonwalth title

The unbeaten Sedgefield star will box over six rounds on the Matchroom-promoted Divide & Conquer show at Hull on Saturday, March 7.

Saunders revealed in an interview with SportMail last week that he had asked his promoter for a warm-up before going into the ring with Commonwealth champion Dave Ryan at the Metro Radio Arena on Saturday, April 4.

And Eddie Hearn has duly obliged with the 28-year-old supporting Hull heroes Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle who headline at the Ice Arena.

“It’ll be a six rounder but I know nothing else other than what my manager told me,” said Saunders, who is currently in training at the MGM gym in Marbella.

Beating Ryan should be well within the capabilities of Saunders, who has won all 11 of his pro bouts, including the WBO inter-continental championship. However, he is leaving nothing to chance, hence the six-round dress rehearsal in Hull.

“Dave is a lot more experienced than me as a pro,” Saunders explained.

“He’s been in with better fighters and he’s been in good form. He’s beaten Paul McCloskey and dropped Tyrone Nurse twice when he won the Commonwealth title.

“In my view, it’s a 50-50 fight.”

The contest has caught the imagination in the North-East with Saunders mum, Tracey, already having sold around 2,500 tickets for the event which also features Olympic hero Anthony Joshua.