A different side to Sam Eggington v Skeete

It's skill versus will in the main event of Matchroom Boxing's big bill at the Genting Arena in Birmingham, writes Craig Birch.

Stourbridge's Sam Eggington puts up his British and Commonwealth crowns against mandatory challenger Bradley Skeete, live on Sky Sports.

Eggington will nudge two thirds of the way to a Lonsdale belt if he can gun down the Londoner and enhances his rags to riches boxing story.

Originally intending to come into the pro game to earn money as a journeyman, the two-time national amateur champion for Warley ended up on a different path.

'The Savage' has established himself as a gritty all-action performer, with the guts to go for glory and defeat rivals who claim they are levels above.

Skeete's slick southpaw skills have worked on 22 out of 23 opponents. His only blemish came against classy fellow left-hander Frankie Gavin, who beat him at his own game.

Eggington wants to drag him into the trenches and warns he won't be pickpocketed of his titles, by chasing Skeete around as the challenger looks to outbox him.

The 22-year-old will have to mix it himself, he agrees, but points to the bottom line of that they are his belts to lose.

He said: "I'm confident I'll do a job on him. It will be a good statement from me. I can't see this going the distance.

"I'm not the ultimate boxer but I can do it, just like Bradley's not great on the inside. He's better at boxing and I'm better at having a go.

"I just don't know how Bradley is going to come into someone else's area, on someone else's show and win someone else's title, with his method of boxing.

"It's well known in this sport that you've got to take the fight to the champion. Even without that, it's hard enough to win anyway.

"He can't do that on the back-foot. He'll have to get stuck in and make sure he's winning the rounds clearly.

"If it comes down to a shoot out, I'm certain I'll come out on top. In fact, I'm pretty sure I would stop him."

Skeete has been dragged out of his comfort zone after Matchroom's promoter Eddie Hearn won the purse bids, rumoured to be to the tune of a six-figure fee.

Had Frank Warren got his way, Eggington would have been heading to the capital where the challenger has boxed all of his paid contests.

But the Londoner, 28, defiantly claims he'll prove the titlist is one-dimensional and show a new side of himself to upset the home crowd.

He said: "I know I need to be on my A-Game to come up here and get those titles. I wouldn't expect anything different.

"I've had a great camp and the fight is nearly here. Sam is a great fighter and I'm expecting a good 12 rounds.

"Some have called it the boxer versus the brawler, but I can fight and box. I do the latter because it's comfortable. It's served me well so far.

"From what I've seen, he only fights one way. I haven't seen anything from him to make me think otherwise."

Another major domestic title fight and two clashes for Midlands belts also appear on a stacked card, with both Yafai brothers in action.

British champion Kal is closing in on the world stage and will tackle a fifth Nicaraguan in Dixon Flores. It's an official 12-round eliminator for Kohei Kono's WBA super flyweight title.

Younger sibling Gamal goes after his first domestic crown, challenging for Bobby Jenkinson's newly-won Commonwealth super bantamweight strap.

More Brummies step through the ropes for area honours and a Battle of Birmingham will come at lightweight, as Michael Rooney and Marcus Ffrench meet for the vacant strap.

New Midlands titlist Karl Wiggins, who knocked out Stafford's Rob Hunt in two rounds to take the crown, defends at welter for the first time against Derby's Ryan Fields.

Cello Renda takes on Mike Byles in a 10-round eliminator for the English light middleweight title eliminator, Byles stepping in for Essington's Ben Wilkes.

Jordan Cooke, Luke Keeler, Ryan Kelly, Zach Parker, Jake Ball and Charlie Williams complete the line-up. A busy show is expected to start around 5pm, with Sky broadcasting from 8pm.

Tickets are still on sale priced at £40, £60 and £100 from www.theticketfactory.com. VIP upgrades, costing £150, can be bought exclusively at www.matchroomboxing.com.