Matthew Macklin has said that his St Patrick's Day bout with Sergio Martinez feels like a home fight.

The Birmingham-born Irishman goes up against his Argentine foe at Madison Square Garden on Saturday hoping to avenge his contentious defeat to Felix Sturm.

Martinez, who beat Darren Barker in his last fight, will be putting his WBC Diamond middleweight title on the line in New York.

"The fact that it is March 17 here in New York with a big Irish community, I will feel like I am fighting in Dublin," the 29-year-old told Boxing Scene. "There's not just the Irish here in New York, but Irish coming here from all around the world on March 17.

"I'm coming forward, I'm coming to win. He's the slicker fighter, he's the faster fighter and he's a southpaw. If I can make him fight, I'm the bigger and stronger fighter. I don't believe Martinez can cope with the intensity and burning desire that I will bring into that ring with me.

"Over the last ten years I have had up and down performances and I know I will need to the best of me against Sergio Martinez. I will need to be at my best. I am very confident that I will be middleweight champion of the world."

Macklin lost a split decision to Sturm in Colonge last year, which was for the German's WBO middleweight title.