Boxing: Anderson confident of title win

Anderson, who is challenging Londoner George Groves for his crown at the Manchester Evening News Arena on Saturday, said of the fight: "I'm going to be the Steve Collins who messed up (Chris] Eubank and (Nigel] Benn. It's the same situation they didn't see him (Collins) coming."

This was a reference to huge underdog Collins beating Chris Eubank for the latter's WBO crown in 1995. Shortly after winning his pro debut against Nick Okoth, someone gave Anderson a copy of Steve Collins' biography Celtic Warrior, which Anderson still consults for inspiration.

There are close parallels between Collins and Anderson, with title triumphs after similar setbacks with injury and other obstacles. It is a parallel that Collins himself has publicly acknowledged after forecasting ring greatness for Anderson back in 1996.

Again, although Groves, undefeated in ten fights (eight by knockout) is the hot favourite to retain his title, that doesn't impress Anderson who has vowed: "It's going to be a massacre - I appreciate the opportunity. I'm going to grasp it with both hands."

But Anderson and his coach Kevin Maree will also take encouragement from the fact that in his last fight - in Las Vegas - Groves was rocked by a right hand, one of Anderson's most potent punches, in the first round before coming back to win inside the distance.

Even Groves's trainer, Adam Booth, was cautious earlier this week, refusing to see Anderson as a sacrificial lamb for his boxer.

"I respect Kenny Anderson and I know all about him but I chose Anderson because he will give Groves a decent fight. It will be a tough fight but Groves will win."

Peter Glass, Anderson's former amateur coach at Meadowbank, said: "I always think back to when Anderson won a gold medal in Seville. Despite fighting in 120-degree heat which affected his ability to breathe, he battled through and still won. That's the kind of fierce will to win that Groves is going to encounter on Saturday."

For his part, defending champion Groves is dismissive of Anderson's challenge, claiming on his internet blog that: "Anderson fights like an old drunk. Anderson will try to take it into the trenches and make it a dogfight - that's fine with me - I beat him in every department."

Groves has also rubbished claims by Anderson that sparring sessions they had earlier this year in London will have any relevance to Saturday's battle, saying that Anderson should expect "a much better George Groves".

The stakes could not be higher for Anderson. If he wins on Saturday, victory could bring him a British title clash with Olympic gold medallist James DeGale, and also end the reputation of the super middleweight class as being the jinx division for eastern Scottish boxers.

Wallyford's Steve Wilson lost a British super middleweight title tilt to Welshman Joe Calzaghe, who stopped him inside the distance in 1995.