PADDY Fitzpatrick aims to formulate a plan around Lawrence Okolie’s strengths as he and Luke ‘The Duke’ Watkins look to navigate a way past the Olympian.

Okolie holds a height and reach advantage over the Swindon fighter, who was crowned Commonwealth champion in December.

However, instead of looking to expose any Achilles heel Okolie may possess, the 28-year-old’s trainer thinks it would be much better to focus on the strengths of his opponent in tonight's Sky Sports-televised cruiserweight title contest at Bethnal Green's York Hall.

“The fight isn’t about exploiting Lawrence’s weaknesses, you can build a game plan around the weaknesses of your opponent or his strengths,” explained Fitzpatrick.

“I always like to base a plan around a man’s strengths as opposed to taking advantage of their weakness.

“Because if the plan is about taking advantage of those, what happens if you get in the ring and he has tidied them up?

“Now he isn’t weak in those departments anymore, where is he going to go and where is the game plan going to go?

“If you base a plan on a fighter’s strengths, a man will always use his strengths, if you take them away from him where is he going to go, to his weaknesses?”

Fitzpatrick also revealed that Watkins, who will face Okolie in front of a sold-out crowd at York Hall, has had great preparation for the bout.

The cruiserweight has sparred with Tony Bellew, as he prepared for his second fight with David Haye, Polish world champion Krzysztof Glowacki and Enzo Maccarinelli have also trained with the Swindon ace.

Both fighters boast an unbeaten start to life in the progression game. Watkins holds a record of 13-0, while Okolie’s tally is 8-0.

Watkins' Commonwealth title and the WBA Continental strap held by Okolie are up for grabs for the winner and Fitzpatrick added: "He was up with in Manchester with Tony Bellew for a few weeks, he did quite a few rounds with him.

“This year alone he has been sparring in Poland with world champions (Glowacki) and been up there with Tony.

“He’s also been down with Enzo, who has been an excellent help with Duke even before he turned professional.

“So he is in a great place in terms of his preparation.”

UPDATES FROM TONIGHT'S FIGHT WITH MATTHEW DAVIES VIA TWITTER @AdverSport, PLUS NEWS, REACTION & PICTURES AT SWINDONADVERTISER.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN TOMORROW'S SWINDON ADVERTISER. COVERAGE FROM YORK HALL STARTS ON SKY SPORTS ARENA AT 7PM TONIGHT.