British super-middleweight Rocky Fielding has said that he will benefit from opponent Brian Vera attempting to knock him out on Friday night.

Fielding features in the biggest fight of his career against an opponent who still has ambitions on the world scene despite three successive defeats, but the Liverpudlian has admitted that it is the contest he needs to try to elevate himself up the world rankings.

The 27-year-old told reporters: "It's a fight I need at this stage of my career. He's tough and comes to win. I'm prepared for a good fight.

"What you see is what you get from Brian, but we've got a good gameplan. I'll perform better when he attempts to come knock me out."

Fielding has recorded 20 successive wins in the professional ranks, while Vera has 23 victories from 32 outings.