Cherefi holds no fears - Magee

Brian Magee is expecting one of the hardest nights of his career on Saturday night when he defends his IBO super-middleweight title against Hacine Cherifi at Belfast’s King’s Hall.

Frenchman Cherifi’s record reads like a who’s who of the world’s top middleweights, winning and losing the WBC title in two fights with American Keith Holmes.

At 35 some may feel his best days are behind him but Magee, who is bringing boxing back to the venue which hosted the great nights for Barry McGuigan, expects a real battle.

“I’ve watched tapes and I think this is going to be fast and furious,” he said. “He doesn’t like to take a backward step but I’m ready for whatever he’s got.”

Belfast man Magee added: “He’s fought the likes of Felix Trinidad, Harry Simon, he went the distance with Joe Calzaghe, so I know that he is a true boxing warrior.

“He even went into his last fight against Howard Eastman which he lost with a broken nose and gave Eastman all he wanted.

“But I’m feeling very confident and this another step towards me moving on to fighting for a major world title. I know I am ready for anybody in the world’s top 10 and that includes Calzaghe.”