Tommy Coyle and Martin Gethin go head to head this weekend knowing they both have as much to lose as they have to gain.

The pair meet at the top of Matchroom’s ‘Divide & Conquer’ Bill on Saturday, 7th March at the Hull Ice Arena, live on Sky Sports.

Coyle goes into the fight knowing that victory will set up a huge summer showdown with fellow Hull fighter, Luke Campbell MBE. Defeat to Gethin though could see that dream in tatters.

 “My fight with Luke would be the biggest event that has ever happened in Hull,” said Coyle. “I am so, so excited about it. Luke and I are quite good friends but I have a job to do and I want to be number one. Martin is first and foremost though and I have to do a job. The fight with Luke is hanging over my head but I have to do a job on Martin for that fight to remain as big as it is.

“I will concentrate on Martin because he is a tough, tough opponent. He has won a British title, something I have never won before, so I have to be at my very best.

“Martin Gethin is a good, tough fighter; you don’t win British titles without being a good fighter. He has boxed in good company at a high level. He applies relentless pressure, he doesn’t stop coming forward and he has a very good left upper-cut, he likes to use his left hand a lot and I will have to be at my very best to chalk up a win against Martin.

“I think he will be looking for the tear-up. He has done in every single one of his fights and he isn’t going to change much. He will come with his A-game, apply the pressure and try and wear me down. But the way I have trained for this fight, I could do 20 rounds. I am in great physical shape, probably fitter than I have ever felt.

“He really needs this win. He really needs this win to get back in the mix, so he is going to be really hungry and he will come out there looking to impress and get a big win. I really have to be on guard and at my best.”

Gethin on the other hand knows that anything less than victory against Coyle could spell the end for him at elite British level. After losing to domestic rivals Derry Mathews and Terry Flanagan last year, defeat would be a big blow to his future plans. However, a victory could propel him back into the mix and pave the way for a fresh assault on a Lord Lonsdale belt as he bids to become a two weight champion. The former British Lightweight Champion has set his sights on the light welterweight version and knows victory on Saturday will do his cause no harm.

“It is a big fight for me,” explained Gethin, who visited hometown club Walsall FC on Saturday ahead of his big fight. “I thought I did enough to beat Derry but he got the decision in his back yard. I damaged my ear against Terry when things were just getting interesting and now I have to prove I have what it takes to beat Tommy Coyle.

“He’s done well but, like I’ve said before, he can be caught. I’ve been a lightweight since I was a teenager and now, after winning a British Title at the weight, I’m ready to see what I can do at light welterweight. I want to be a two-weight champion.

“Before that though, I need to prove myself and beat Tommy. When I was offered this fight, it was too good an opportunity to turn down. It’s a big fight, live on Sky. It’s a big night for both for us. May the best man win.”

Tickets are on sale now priced £40 and £60 are available from Matchroom Sport on 0127759900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com.