Norwegian cruiserweight Kevin Melhus (3-0, 2 KOs) has been sparring top British prospects Lawrence Okolie and Joshua Buatsi in preparation for his fourth professional fight on February 3 at the SØR Amfi in Arendal.

The 28 year-old from Skien spent a week in London training with Okolie and Buatsi, the former Team GB amateur stars turned undefeated pros, who are managed by current World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua.

Cruiserweight Okolie is currently 7-0 in the paid ranks and preparing to face domestic rival Isaac Chamberlain, while light heavyweight Buatsi, who claimed bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is unbeaten after four pro appearances.

“The sparring has been great,” reveals Melhus. “Lawrence is a real good boxer with a huge range, and Joshua is a future world champion, mark my words. I’m happy to have had this opportunity. To get this level of sparring at this stage of my career is very important.”

Melhus will now return to Oslo Boxing Club where he will complete his training, ready for a six-round cruiserweight clash with Istvan Kun on the undercard of countryman Kai Robin Havnaa’s hotly anticipated homecoming fight with Gezim Tahiri.

Kun was also the opponent for Havnaa’s fourth professional fight, which ended in a second-round knockout. Although comparisons could be drawn between their performances, Melhus says he feels no added pressure to go for the knockout.

“I don’t feel any extra pressure,” he says. “Whether it’s round one or round six, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m just here to show some great boxing and to entertain the fans.”

Kevin Melhus faces Istvan Kun as part of an action-packed Nordic Fight Night event at the SØR Amfi in Arendal featuring hometown hero Kai Robin Havnaa alongside fellow Norwegian professionals Tim-Robin Lihaug, Simen Nysaether, Hadi Srour, Aron Jahnsen and undefeated German heavyweight Albon Pervizaj.

Tickets are available online via www.ticketmaster.no or by calling (+47) 22 82 81 97.