Paul Appleby has backed Ricky Burns to successfully defend his WBO super-featherweight title against Joseph Laryea at the Braehead Arena on Saturday night.
Appleby was well beaten by the Ghanaian in December at the same venue when they fought on the undercard of Burns' first defence of his belt against Andreas Evensen.
The South Queensferry boxer claimed a hand injury that night affected his tactics against the rangy African who used his lengthy jab to great effect.
However, Appleby believes the Coatbridge champion has more than enough to take care of Laryea.
"Laryea was a good but basic boxer, all he did was throw straight punches with a couple of hooks now and again," Appleby said.
"But I had a problem with my hand and didn't tell anyone.
"I couldn't get inside because of my hand and so I was on the back foot.
"I think Ricky knows what to do with him. He will push him back, break him up and will be too strong for for him.
"I think Ricky will stop him in seven or eight rounds."
At the weigh-in on Friday at a Glasgow hotel, Burns tipped the scales at nine stone, three and a half pounds while Laryea came in at nine stone, two and a quarter pounds.
As he did at the head-to-head press conference on Thursday, the challenger made threatening gestures in a bid to unsettle the Scot but again to to avail.
Burns, though, will give his opponent every respect.
"Joseph Laryea is not to be underestimated," he said.
"There is talk of unification fights for me but that is all in the future and I have to put that to the back of my mind.
"I can't afford to have any slip ups in this fight."
Appleby, who returns to action against England's Yousef Al Hamidi on Saturday's bill, admits his defeat by Laryea still rankles.
"I haven't watched the fight and I don't want to," he said.
"I was disappointed in myself but there is nothing I can do.
"It was a horrible night and nothing went right.
"I didn't feel good before the fight.
"I shouldn't have fought but you learn from your mistakes and I won't be doing it again.
"I can't wait to get back in the ring. I needed a change and I'm just back from a training camp in Spain.
"Everything has gone well and I can't wait to fight again."
