EAMONN O’Kane is hoping that tonight’s clash will help propel him to a shot at the IBF middleweight world title.

The Northern Irishman will headline at the Swindon Oasis this evening on the World Awaits bill with a potential fight for the vacant world crown in waiting.

After it was announced overnight that Billy Joe Saunders will not face N’Dam Hassan for the belt that last belonged to middleweight king Jermain Taylor, O’Kane, who could potentially be handed the opportunity to fight N'Dam, knows he cannot afford to slip up against Ferenc Hafner.

The 39-year-old Hungarian steps into the ring with O’Kane with a decent record of 23 wins from 29 fights, 12 of those victories coming inside the distance.

However, in his six losses, Hafner has not heard the final bell on five of those contests – including a second round knockout by current WBO middleweight world champion Andy Lee.

But the Paddy Fitzpatrick-trained O’Kane, the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, knows what is at stake. However he is trying to not think about the pressures of the future.

“If you sit down and think about if there is pressure, then definitely there is,” the 32-year-old said.

“Experience has taught me to take the fight as it is. Yes, there is a lot of stuff going on and a lot of stuff at stake.

“That is the same with every fight, if I had lost earlier on in my fights then I wouldn’t be where I am.

“I am focused on doing a good job, putting a game plan and new system of boxing together.

“Showing my improvements and I’m looking forward of doing a good job and moving on to that world stage.”

Tonight’s bout will be O’Kane’s first since joining force with the Ferndale Road trainer and he says that Fitzpatrick has made the changes look easy.

“Paddy makes it looks very easy, he does it effortlessly, drilling it in getting rid of the bad habits and not going back to them.

“It is hard to erase, but I’m enjoying putting a new practice into place.

“I have been welcomed in there have been no short cuts taken, it has been hard work all long.

“I have no problem being told I need to do things better and Paddy thankfully, and the team, have shown me the right way to do it.

“I fully believe you’ll see a better Eamonn O’Kane and world title challenger.”