The Hatfield star is hyped up for his title defence and challenge for the vacant British title on Frank Warren’s big end of year show, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Saunders, 23, is coming off the best performance of his career last month when he stopped unbeaten Australian Jarrod Fletcher in the second-round with a savage display of power-punching, and in January he blitzed Tony Hill inside a round to claim the Commonwealth title.

Despite recording ten of his 15 wins inside three rounds, the Beijing Olympian has shown that he’s not just a puncher and can do the full twelve rounds when he out-boxed former Commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce in June.

Trowbridge’s Blackwell only has one loss in twelve fights when he challenged Martin Murray for the British, Commonwealth and WBA Intercontinental titles last year.  Since then he’s stormed backed with four stoppage wins, winning the English and WBC Youth Silver title.

“This year has been the best of my career so far and I’m ending it with another devastating performance at the Excel,” said Saunders.

“Hill went in a round, Fletcher in two, so I’m going for Blackwell in three to win the British title and keep hold of my Commonwealth belt before looking at the European title for the treble next year.

“Blackwell is a good fighter and he stepped up to Martin Murray in only his ninth fight so he’s not afraid of facing a challenge.  I’m punching harder and I’m getting stronger and improving with every fight so I can’t see Blackwell lasting too long.”

Ricky Burns headlines the action packed show with the third defence of his WBO World Lightweight Championship, chief support on the undercard features George Groves defending his Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Champion against Glen Johnson, plus Bradley Skeete challenging Southern Area Welterweight Champion Chas Symonds.

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 and £200, are available from Eventim atwww.eventim.co.uk or 0844 249 1000.

The show will be televised live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).  Join at www.boxnation.com