Little's big test in Liverpool

Matkin was bang on the 140lb weight limit, while Kirkham boxer Little tipped the scales at 139.6 pounds for the contest at the Devonshire House Hotel in the city.

The 25-year-old Little is operating at a new weight division.

He previously campaigned at welter, winning both the English and Central Area championships, but he has given up both titles because he feels more suited to a change of weight.

Little us taking a laid-back, clinical approach to the task in hand tonight against Matkin, who has not been particularly busy in a career which has seen him win six, draw two and lose one of his nine fights.

The Sheffield-based boxer’s last appearance in the ring was in Blackpool in December 2014, when he lost on points at the Hilton Hotel in a failed bid to win this title against Nathan Brough, so there may well be some serious ring-rust to shed this evening.

Little, who is trained by former professional Alan Levene, has a perfect record, winning all 15 of his contests to date, three of them inside the distance, including his last fight against Steven Pearce in December.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s bout, Little said: “It is a job of work for me. It’s what I do.

“I am going to work like anyone else. I will take everything in my stride rather than worry.

“I don’t particularly make a point of watching my opponent on video before a fight – things can change in the ring.”

Little will be joined on tonight’s Liverpool promotion by Kirkham’s Bill Hodgson, who will have his second professional contest against Atila Gyen, of Hungary.

Hodgson’s rival has had seven fights to date, two wins and five defeats.

A former amateur, Hodgson is a latecomer to the professional ranks.

The British Board of Control first refused to grant him a licence on medical grounds but he was later given the all-clear.

Hodgson made a winning debut in December, stopping Latvian Ostaps Basins.