Earl helps Katsidis prepare for Burns fight

The pair were involved in an epic clash that won fight of the year in 2007 – also at Wembley Arena.

Both fighters hit the canvas in a thriller as Earl was pulled out by his corner before the start of the sixth round, but in a move reminiscent of the classic Rocky movies, Katsidis has based himself at Earl’s House of Champions gym in Luton for the final week leading up to his fight with Burns.

On whether it was odd to help his one-time adversary, Earl said: “Me and Mike have always kept in touch and Brendan his trainer. We were talking closely about getting our fight on for a second time.

“When I went out to see him before the Mitchell fight I said he could always come over and use my place. That’s what boxing does.”

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