British super-bantamweight champion Gavin McDonnell is confident he'll handle the step up to international class when he faces Vusi Malinga.
The 28-year-old defended his domestic title against Josh Wale via a draw last time out, but is relishing the chance to test himself at a higher level against durable South African in Hull on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
Malinga returns to Britain after a December points defeat to Stuart Hall, who claimed the IBF bantamweight title, while he also went the distance in another decision loss against the respected Leo Santa Cruz.
“I am relishing getting in there and showing people what I am about,” said McDonnell. “I was a bit down about the last fight because it was a draw and nobody wants a draw because it isn’t a win. I asked for a big name.
"Not many people would probably go in there with Malinga who guarantees a 12-round fight, but I am not scared to have a fight and I want to prove myself against the best and he is up there. It is a massive step-up for me. All being well I will get the win then we can sit down and see where we go.
"I would never take this fight lightly, he has a lot more experience than me; I think he has had 18 12-round fights. I wanted to make a decent step onto the international scene. I have seen a few of his fights and I watched him against Stuart Hall and said I would fight him.
"Stefy Bull said he would put that to them and that is how it got made. I am in this game to get to the top and if you want to be the best you have to beat the best and I am not scared to get in there with kids who on paper are better than me because I have only had 13 fights. I am not scared to get in there and put everything on the line because that is what boxing is all about.
"There can still be some good domestic fights in the future if everyone keeps winning but I haven’t thought too much about where we go from here because it is a big, big fight for me and you can’t really think ahead of this. Malinga gave Stuart Hall the fight of his life. You get carried away in your head but that is just daydreaming when I am out running because I know I have got a tough ask and I am just focussing on that to be honest.
"Vusi seems a strong, come-forward fighter. We have a game plan and we will stick to that and hopefully get the win. He doesn’t put speedy combinations together, he throws a lot of hooks and a lot of jabs and seems very strong. I need to stay out of the way of those strong shots and counter him."
McDonnell features on a exciting card at the Ice Arena, with hometown fighters Tommy Coyle and Luke Campbell taking on Michael Katsidis and Daniel Brizuela respectively.
Watch Fight Night Live, Saturday 7.30pm, Sky Sports 2