LAKE Macquarie boxers Blake Minto and Tristan Maskell are preparing for fights on the same card in Cessnock next week.
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Minto, 26, of Toronto, will take on veteran John Min, 43, for the vacant NSW super lightweight belt.
And in one of the most anticipated amateur fights on the night, Maskell, 21, of Bonnells Bay, will challenge Newcastle's Jack Clements in a cruiserweight contest.
Minto, the World Boxing Foundation world super lightweight champion, said Min was a dangerous opponent.
Minto defeated Min in the pair's first clash in Sydney in 2016.
"He comes out pretty hard," Minto said of the Sydneysider.
"He swings hard looking for the knockout early. If I just box and look for some nice counter-shots, I should put him away.
"I'm peaking now in my preparation, so everything is hard and fast.
"I've got three more sparring sessions left, which will be pretty intense."
Minto last fought in June when he won a unanimous points decision over Irish-born Sydneysider, Gearoid Clancy, in Newcastle.
Minto secured the International Boxing Organisation's vacant Asia Pacific super lightweight title with that win.
Maskell's showdown with Clements was a bout many boxing fans had been waiting for, one of Maskell's co-trainers, Chad Griffiths, said.
"Jack trains at the Steel City Boxing Gym, in Newcastle, and is a former NSW and Australian cruiserweight champion, and now Tristan holds both of those titles," Griffiths said.
"This is a fight that has been meaning to happen for a long time."
Clements is a southpaw with a tight defence and plenty of strength who punches straight and hard.
He'll be challenged by the long reach, high work rate, and power of Maskell who is undefeated in his last 17 bouts, for a record of 17-3.
Other pro fighters on the bill include Troy O'Meley, Kyron Dryden and the Central Coast's Dillon Bargero.
Minto and Maskell train at Minto's Team Machine Boxing Club Gym, in Toronto.
A bus has been chartered to transport local fight fans to and from the fight night, at East Cessnock Bowling Club, on Saturday, October 12. It will leave from Toronto Workers Club.
Phone Minto on 0405 943053 for tickets, and to book a seat on the bus.
