Earl in Australia for Katsidis rematch

The 35-year-old first fought Katsidis back in 2007, suffering a fifth round knock out, but the defeat has always festered with Earl.

He has been after a rematch ever since, and believes it is the right move to make, despite the criticism from the boxing world.

Prior to the fight for the vacant World Boxing Union (German Version) light welterweight title, Earl said: “There are people out there saying this fight shouldn’t be happening, I really don’t care, they’re all armchair people.

“I know what I’m doing, this is my life, boxing keeps me out of trouble, keeps me focused, it’s a positive rather than a negative and that’s it.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but unless they’ve been there done it and the level I’m doing it and I’ve been, I won’t listen, they’re just wasting their breath.”

That view was also held by Katsidis, who told World Boxing News: “If Graham gets defeated badly then that is his problem,

“This is the sport I’m in and I should make not that no Englishman has ever beat me and I intend in keeping it that way.

“I appreciate I am considered dangerous for Earl as that’s a starting point, but only to confirm that I will begin another rise by defeating him.

“If I cared about what every Tom, Dick and Harry said I wouldn’t have got to where I did in the first place.

“People who criticise and judge are yet to consider it takes time to reach peak form and particularly after being retired from boxing for so long.

“You don’t instantly fight the pound for pound best in the world. Rome wasn’t built in a day and I like every other man I have to worky my way up. I like this fight with Graham and I think it will bring back the biff for me.

“I’m happy with how we have been training and I can tell you this, I will win and I will win well.”

The fight will be streamed on www.Liveboxing.com.au.