Dunne in shape of his life

Following a gruelling training camp, unbeaten Dubliner Bernard Dunne believes he is in the shape of his life ahead of Saturday night’s acid test against former European champion Noel Wilders.

Just over two years ago, Wilders was 'King of Europe' and the Yorkshire man is desperate to regain that status. He knows that a win over IBC Super Bantamweight champion Dunne this weekend would hand him a shot at the current European belt holder Michael Hunter.

However, Dunne is just as keen to get his hands on Hunter’s belt and is determined that Wilders will not stand in his way as he goes in search of his nineteenth straight pro win.

“This should be some night of boxing (at the National Stadium),” said Dunne's manager Brian Peters. “You’ve got Bernard in the biggest test of his career and an undercard packed with names like Michael Gomez and Brian Magee not to mention exciting new talents like John O’Donnell and Stephen Haughian.

“RTE have been averaging over 230,000 viewers for each of Bernard’s fights to date and I’ve no doubt that anyone tuning in on Saturday night will be on the edge of their seats because where the likes of Dunne and Gomez are concerned, excitement is guaranteed.”

While Dunne headlines against Wilders the fight of the night could prove to be the grudge match between Gomez and McDonagh. There is clearly no love lost between these two fighting men as was evident at last month's press conference to announce the fight.

Both men wanted to start proceedings there and then so this Friday’s weigh-in and pre-fight press conference at the Burlington Hotel could prove almost as explosive as the fight itself.

A late addition to a high-quality card is John O’ Donnell. Born in London to Galway parents, the classy southpaw sees Saturday's fight against Zaid Bediouri as a "homecoming" of sorts.

O'Donnell explained: “My parents are both from Galway - I still have a lot of family over here and visit them all the time so to box in Ireland will be something special. A good few of them are planning to make the trip and turn out for me.”

The 20-year-old welterweight is unbeaten in eight fights and his manager Mick Hennessy claims he is a better prospect than the much-hyped Amir Khan.

O’Donnell arrives in Dublin fresh from a sensational stoppage win in London last weekend, which was screened by Sky Sports.

The full bill for the Brian Peters Promotions fight night is:

Bernard Dunne v Noel Wilders - Super Bantamweight (10 Rounds)

Michael Gomez v Peter McDonagh - Vacant Irish Lightweight Title (10 Rounds)

Brian Magee v Daniil Prakapsou - Super Middleweight (6 Rounds)

Colin Kenna v Luke Simpkin - Heavyweight (8 Rounds)

John O’Donnell v Zaid Bediouri- Welterweight(6 Rounds)

Stephen Haughian v Duncan Cottier- Light Welterweight (4 Rounds)

Andrew Wallace v Adjib Guessab - Featherweight (4 Rounds)