Monday 2 November 2015 11:15, UK
British lightweight champion Scott Cardle believes challenger Sean Dodd's numbers won't come up again.
Cardle (18-0-KO5) makes the first defence of his title in Liverpool on Saturday night, on the undercard of the local super-middleweight scrap between Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding, live on Sky Sports.
The champion was forced to pull out of a fight against Gary Buckland last month due to a sparring injury which led to a hastily arranged title eliminator instead. And Dodd (10-1-KO2) - known as 'Masher' - was not only a late call-up but the surprise winner, out-pointing Buckland to become the mandatory challenger.
Cardle was sat ringside and was impressed by way he took his chance but believes the challenger won't be celebrating this time.
"Dodd won the raffle to get this opportunity and he's over the moon, so credit to him," Cardle told Sky Sports.
"He was meant to be going for the Central Area in the next couple of fights so he's definitely skipped the queue for this one!
"It was an exciting fight and a great fight to watch and I thought Dodd fought well so fair play to him. He has got a shot at the British title but now is where the story ends."
I thought Dodd fought well so fair play to him. He has got a shot at the British title but now is when the story ends.
Cardle sustained a tear in his quadriceps during his last spar some 10 days before the supposed showdown with Buckland.
He admits it was frustrating watching the eliminator at Liverpool Olympia before another stablemate, Stephen Smith, beat Devis Boschiero to earn an IBF world super-featherweight shot next year.
Cardle has himself won the English and British straps in the last 12 months and cannot wait to get back in the ring and pick up where he left off.
"Dodd is a local lad from Birkenhead and he is going to get plenty in the arena behind him but don't get me wrong, I don't mind walking into the lions' den and showing them how it's done," he said.
"I am looking forward to it and it will be a great night. I am fully prepared. It is a British level fight for me so I've just got to stay sensible and I know what I have to do.
"The injury was very frustrating because after such a strong camp and a successful camp I had to call it quits. It was hard for me.
"It's something I've never done before, pull out of a fight and I don't intend pulling out of one again, but to be honest I feel relieved I've done it now. I've had another great camp and everything's going to plan this time.
"Unfortunately for Dodd I've got hard work and talent in my locker. You'll see that on Saturday night."
You can watch Scott Cardle v Sean Dodd live from 8.00pm, Saturday, on Sky Sports 1.
