'Ovill McKenzie is a glorified journeyman,' says challenger Tony Dodson

Scouse warrior Tony Dodson has landed a shot at Ovill McKenzie's Commonwealth light-heavyweight title - and immediately labelled the champion a 'glorified journeyman'.

The match is set to take place at Bowler's, Manchester, on 3rd February.

Dodson, still only 31 believe it or not, a former British super-middleweight champion, also downplayed the punching power of 'The Upsetter' - McKenzie dropped Tony Bellew and destroyed Jeff Evans to win the title in just 15 seconds.

Dodson told the Liverpool Echo, “When you look down his record he has only knocked out kids.

“He has beaten people who are not at a good level and when you are fighting domestically at a lower level, of course your punch is going to be harder.

“But when he steps up in class and calibre – to the level I’m at – then his punches are not going to be as hard.

“His last opponent looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

“I will beat McKenzie in every way, shape and form.

“My speed and overall boxing ability will beat him.

“I’ve fought better fighters than Ovill McKenzie.

“He gets recognition because he took Tony Bellew the distance and caught him with a lucky shot in their first fight.

“But Tony got back up and stopped him.

“McKenzie is a glorified journeyman.”  

“Tony has given me little bits of advice but let’s not forget, I’m a 35 fight professional who knows the game and knows what needs to be done to get this win,” he said. “This is my time now, this is what I should’ve achieved a long time ago. I’ve been here before but have never performed.

“This time round I’m more mature, settled and a happy fighter is a better fighter.”

There should be no New Year's Eve excesses for Dodson as he has only five weeks to shift a stone for the contest, but he seems unconcerned by this.

“Luckily I’ve kept trim since the last fight and have only got to drop a stone, which is a godsend for me.

“I did 15 rounds on the pads yesterday and I did it easy.

“Boxing changes every five minutes and especially with the way things are at the minute, everyone is looking for work. You have to stay in the gym.

“I’ve got Martin Murray in the gym for sparring but I’ve never been big on sparring.  I think it takes a lot of your best work out of you and so you can end up leaving it in the gym. I know what I need to do.”