Billy Joe Saunders believes every boxing fan should be excited about his landmark title fight against Andy Lee - not just those in the travelling community.
The WBO middleweight championship fight at Thomond Park, the home of Munster Rugby, will be the first ever all-traveller title bout and could attract a sell-out 33,000 crowd in Limerick.
Whilst the occasion has a unique selling point, unbeaten Saunders - who beat Chris Eubank Jnr. in a title eliminator in November - thinks there is plenty more on offer when he meets champion Lee.
"I think we are both in love with the game," he said.
"It is about walking away with the belt, we are from the travelling community - it is a big fight, it is a history fight.
"He is the first traveller ever to win a world title, I'm the first to ever win a British title outright - there is a lot of talk about this in our community.
"But it isn't just for our community, it is for the rest of the fans as well - the belt is on the line. How bigger does it get in boxing than being the world champion?
"Every fight you want to win for bragging rights, but it (both being travellers) adds more spice to it - it is another ingredient to the fight."
Hatfield-based Saunders, 25, currently holds the commonwealth and WBO international middleweight titles. He admits he looked up to Lee as he followed in the Irishman's footsteps of representing his country at the Olympics and knows there is not much to chose between the two men as they prepare for their ground-breaking fight.
"I remember Andy in the 2004 Olympics, I was 14 and everyone in the travelling community was talking about it, and four years later I was there," he said.
"I watched him from the amateurs into the pros, they say destiny and I think this fight was meant to happen.
"Me and Andy, we are both proud men, I could sit here and say I'm going to smash him and knock him out but I know this is going to be a genuine 50/50 fight.
"It doesn't need talking up, it is a history fight and I know it will catch fire. Our hearts will take over us and we will go hammer and tongs sometimes, it will be a good fight."
Lee will be defending in his home-town and echoed Saunders' sentiments in the build-up to his defence - knowing the loser will face a lifetime of sore memories.
"Our upbringing and our background is a key ingredient for why we have both been successful," the 31-year-old said.
"The pride we will bring is the fight we will have brought into every fight. We are men's men and we can't let anyone beat us.
"But, both being travellers, it will mean more - as long as we live we will have to face this fight in our community, win or lose. Whoever wins will be hailed a hero, the loser wont be shamed but will be known as a loser, there is a lot on the line for us, personally."
Source: PA
