MICK Hennessy is in no doubt that perpetual underdog Nick Blackwell deserves his chance to show the British public just what he can do when he defends his British middleweight title live on Channel 5 tomorrow night.

Trowbridge champion Blackwell, 24, takes on unbeaten Leeds challenger Damon Jones at the Derby Arena on Saturday (10pm), with the coveted Lonsdale strap, which he stopped John Ryder at the O2 Arena to claim in May, on the line.

This time around, ‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell will be the favoured fighter, operating out of the home corner, and promoter Hennessy is excited by his charge’s opportunity to showcase his talents.

“Fighting on terrestrial TV is a gift and the British public will get the chance to see just why Nick Blackwell is a star of the future,” Hennessy told the Wiltshire Times.

“It can be difficult when you’re on the undercard but the card is scheduled around the top fight and that’s Nick this time.

“I admire the way Nick did things the hard way before I took him under my wing, taking tough fights at late notice or without the right preparation. It says a lot about Nick Blackwell as a person that he always upsets the odds.”

Blackwell, who began training under Cardiff-based Gary Lockett in the lead-up to his victory over Ryder, is hoping to fully display ‘the new Nick Blackwell’ this weekend.

“Against John Ryder, I slipped back into the old Nick Blackwell and I want to try and show the new Nick Blackwell on Saturday – I’ve learned a lot from Gary Lockett and I want to show it,” said Blackwell.

“I go into every fight like I’m the underdog and I won’t be taking Damon Jones lightly. He’s unbeaten but he’s never been past six rounds before but he’ll have to try and come in and out and box me – doing that for 12 rounds can be so tiring.”

Trainer Lockett added: “I think it’s always a problem when a fighter changes to a new trainer that they go back to their old ways in the first fight but I think Nick will show some different dimensions in this fight. He’s not just a tough guy – his boxing skills are underrated,''

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