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Unbeaten Irish middleweight John Duddy should stay on course for a European title bout by earning his 20th straight win in New York on Friday night.
Derryman Duddy will take on 37-year-old Dupre Strickland at the Beacon Theatre.
Strickland has won 18 of his 20 professional bouts but Duddy, ranked eighth by the WBO and ninth by the WBA, should win inside the distance.
"Everything has been going great for my May 18 fight and I can't wait to fight again," said Duddy.
After spending two years in New York, the 27-year-old plans to return home to Ireland after Friday's bout and he has already arranged a fight for the National Stadium in Dublin on 7 July.
An opponent for the Dublin bout has yet to be named although Jim Rock is being mentioned in some quarters.
In March, the Derryman defended his lightly-regarded IBA title by beating Anthony Bonsante in nine rounds.
Finland's European champion Amin Asikainen defends his title against Germany's Sebastian Sylvester on 26 May and there are suggestions that the winner could box Duddy in Ireland in the late summer.
In a break from his regular regime, Duddy spent last week with renowed trainer Don Turner who helped guide the fortunes of former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.
Limerick prospect Andy Lee is also boxing in the US on Friday.
Lee, who was won all eight of his professional bouts, takes on Puerto Rico's Angel David Gonzales who has won five of his nine fights. The middleweight bout takes place in Memphis.
Derryman Duddy will take on 37-year-old Dupre Strickland at the Beacon Theatre.
Strickland has won 18 of his 20 professional bouts but Duddy, ranked eighth by the WBO and ninth by the WBA, should win inside the distance.
"Everything has been going great for my May 18 fight and I can't wait to fight again," said Duddy.
After spending two years in New York, the 27-year-old plans to return home to Ireland after Friday's bout and he has already arranged a fight for the National Stadium in Dublin on 7 July.
An opponent for the Dublin bout has yet to be named although Jim Rock is being mentioned in some quarters.
In March, the Derryman defended his lightly-regarded IBA title by beating Anthony Bonsante in nine rounds.
Finland's European champion Amin Asikainen defends his title against Germany's Sebastian Sylvester on 26 May and there are suggestions that the winner could box Duddy in Ireland in the late summer.
In a break from his regular regime, Duddy spent last week with renowed trainer Don Turner who helped guide the fortunes of former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.
Limerick prospect Andy Lee is also boxing in the US on Friday.
Lee, who was won all eight of his professional bouts, takes on Puerto Rico's Angel David Gonzales who has won five of his nine fights. The middleweight bout takes place in Memphis.
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