LUKE Watkins says that he will be treating his fight tonight as if he was boxing for a world title.

The cruiserweight is the support on the World Awaits bill at the Oasis Leisure Centre against Hungarian Jeno Markhot.

While the 25-year-old believes he has the power to floor his opponent, he will not be going gung-ho for a third knockout.

“I never look for a stoppage,” Watkins said. “I train for the eight rounds. I believe that I have got the power to wobble any man, I believe that I have got the power to drop any man.

“But this is boxing you don’t prepare for that, you prepare for the long duration of the eight rounds and that it what I’m ready for.”

Watkins, who has won all three of his contests since turning professional last September, faces a fighter who will come to the ring won eight of his 13 bouts.

“I know he has a good amateur pedigree from where he is from,” the Paddy Fitzpatrick-trained boxer said.

“I expect to be in a fight, you notice that we are always in fights, I expect him to turn up and fight.

“I’ll treat it like a world title fight - I have to be on my A game.”

During this camp, Watkins and stablemate Eamonn O’Kane, who is the headline act tonight at the Oasis, have been doing Rocky-style runs through the centre of Swindon and posed for selfies with fight fans.

“They have been cool,” he said. “We have been having a great reception from the people of Swindon.”

Since turning professional, Watkins has rapidly climbed the British rankings. He is currently 22nd in Britain and before the year is out, he says he hopes to be inside the top 10.

“I would like to be up at British level – top 10 – I don’t see why that is unachievable a year from now that is what I’m aiming for.” Watkins said.

Meanwhile, Tariq Quaddus has had a late change of opponent tonight.

The British Masters Bronze light-heavyweight champion was due to face Mark Till but instead will now tackle Nottingham-based Angolan Gilson De Jesus.