‘Boxing here is like a world title fight’

Matthew Macklin may have been born in England but is very much a proud Irishman

Q: Your opponent, Jorge Sebastian Heiland, is a 15/2 underdog with the bookies, and he seems insulted that you’re a 1/20 favourite. How do you rate it?

A: “It’s a two-horse race and he’s a proper fighter. He went the distance against Sebastian Zbik, a former world-title challenger, when he was at his peak. I’d say Heiland is a better fighter than he was then (in 2010). Of course, I’m favourite – I’ve fought at a higher level and been European champion twice. I’ve beaten better guys than he’s fought, but 1/20 is ridiculous because if I box to my best, I beat him, but if I don’t, then maybe I don’t beat him. I’ve prepared for it as a proper fight.”