By Ryan Burton

On February 25th, unbeaten heavyweight contender Izuagbe "Izu" Ugonoh (17-0) will face former title challenger Dominic Breazeale (17-1) in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.  The fight will be broadcast on free to air Fox on the Deontay Wilder-Gerald Washington undercard at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 30-year-old Ugonoh lives and trains in Las Vegas, Nevada under the guidance of Kevin Barry who also trains WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.

Izu recently signed an agreement with boxing power broker Al Haymon and this will be the Pole's first fight under the Premier Boxing Champions banner. Barry said that they are very pleased to have the chance to face a legitimate heavyweight contender right off the bat.

"We are extremely excited. Our whole team is excited and Izu is excited. Since the fight has been made he has been walking around with an extra spring in his step. He knows this is a huge opportunity to fight one of the top heavyweights in the world and he is looking to make a name for himself on February 25th," Barry explained.

Barry also worked with former heavyweight contender David Tua and feels that Ugonoh is just the type of fighter that the suddenly red hot heavyweight division needs.

"I know that Dominic has obviously fought better opponents than Izu. He is the more experienced fighter and has a very solid amateur pedigree but Izu Ugonoh is a very special fighter. He is a talented fighter who the past couple of years has demolished everything we have put in front of him.This is a fight where I think everybody will get to see all of the skills that Izu possesses.

"This is a guy that I think the heavyweight division has been screaming out for. He is not only very athletic and very skillful, he is very charismatic. He is an intelligent fighter. He has a master's degree. This is a fighter I think the fans will like his style and want to support him."

As for the ramifications of this fight, Barry believes that the winner will be headed to a title shot.  He feels that beating a world rated fighter on such a big stage can only lead to bigger fights.

"The way we looked at this, this is Izu's first fight with PBC. We could have taken a softer option but he is going straight to the top. We like the style of Dominc Breazeale. We like what he brings.  Izu and I both know what skills he possesses and what he is capable of. He is probably the best body puncher in the division. Here is an opportunity for him to put himself on a short list to fight for a title after this fight in America on Fox," Barry told BoxingScene.com.

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter