'Hall can't beat me,' vows Lukas Konecny

Lukas Konecny (44-3-0) has a challenge on his hands this Saturday in Birmingham, even though he's facing a late replacement opponent for the vacant EBU light middleweight title.

Originally he was set to box against then title holder Ryan Rhodes before the Sheffield veteran withdrew citing a back injury.

Rhodes was stripped and Manchester's Hall - who has only had one fight against a journeyman in more than a year since being stopped by Anthony Small - steps in for a surprising and some might say undeserved title shot.

Czech Konecny flew to Birmingham on Wednesday accompanied by trainer Dirk Dzemski.

"I am not nervous at all. I am looking forward to the climb into ring and to box. I want this title finally. My win is 100% sure. I do not mean that the fight with Hall would be a walk in the park. He can not beat me. That’s all."

Unlike some fighters, Konecny isn't bothered about a late change of opponent.

"For Matthew Hall it came all of a sudden too. We have to fight and each of us will do his best. Just I am the better fighter. I have more experience and met many stronger pros. A win would improve my position in all world rankings. This is he reason I want to win and then I wish to defend the title in the Czech Republic. I could be the first professional European champion in the history of my country.

"I am just an athlete. No one is invincible. My greatest strength is my strong will to win. I am tactically and conditionally very strong. I have been standing in the ring for 24 years but no one stopped me before the final bell. I’ve got 230 amateur and 47 professional bouts and never went to the ring floor.

"First comes the European championship and then I can concentrate on my real target – to become a world champion. I might be able to defend several times the EBU belt in my home land and then I will chase after a world title chance."