BURNLEY Bulldog Warren Stowe has been drawn in as a last-minute substitute for British super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe in a televised bout in Dagenham on Saturday night.

The eight-round non-title fight, chief support to Adrian Dodson's defence of the WBO international light middleweight title, is to be screened by ITV from 11.55pm.

Stowe's manager, Jack Doughty, was approached by promoter Mickey Duff when Calzaghe's original opponent, Sonny Brennan, arrived from America overweight. He immediately accepted the bout and, though no belt is at stake, an upset victory for Stowe would catapult him to the forefront of future challengers for the British title.

"It's a great opportunity and I'm hoping to take advantage of it," said Stowe whose biggest bout to date was a narrow points defeat to Paul Wesley on the Benn-Eubank undercard at Old Trafford.

"I'm not in ideal condition because I wasn't in training for a fight. But come fight time on Saturday night I'll be determined to give it my best shot.

"And if he underestimates me he'll get a rude awakening."

Unbeaten in 17 professional fights (including 16 stoppages), 23-year-old southpaw Calzaghe is recognised as one of the finest prospects in British boxing.

"He's the most talented youngster I've ever had," said Duff who has been involved in the careers of world champions Lloyd Honeyghan, Frank Bruno and Jim Watt.

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