Frank Warren shows faith in 'underdog' Liam Cameron

The bookies might not be admirers of Sheffield light heavyweight Liam Cameron - but veteran promoter Frank Warren certainly is.

Ouch: Liam Cameron post training | Liam Cameron

placeholder image — Ouch: Liam Cameron post training | Liam Cameron

The entrepreneur has recently signed up the Manor fighter on a fresh, three-fight deal.

And that is a sign of the confidence that Warren has in a fighter who is being dismissed as the underdog by the betting industry ahead of this Saturday's battle with Bradley Rea.

The early prices had installed Rea as a clear favourite at 4/7 with the Steel City man at 13/8.

"The bookies have written me off but I will want to put my middle finger up to them after Saturday" Cameron told The Star.

"In my last fight against Troy Jones they had me as the underdog - really, this is mental.

"I always challenge myself against the best in the division - boxing Ben Whittaker twice, he is supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread.

"It is annoying they don't see that I am doing that kind of stuff."

Before this weekend's crossroads fight, Cameron's confidence and bank balance was boosted by the new contract with Queensberry.

"I have signed a new three fight promotional deal with Frank. They are good pay days - the money goes up every time you win.

"So of course I bit his hand off and I am grateful where I am.

"In the past, I have had it rough on small hall shows, boxing for peanuts. There is a bigger, brighter side to boxing, there is money in the game."

Cameron, aged 35, (24-7-1) takes on Stretford's Rea, 28, (21-2-0) at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester round the corner from City's Etihad football stadium.

Rea is a City supporter - and Cameron will be wearing the red and black colours of rivals United for the bout, possibly upping the temperature in and out of the ring.

It will be a relief to get back to action after what Liam described as a "long, long, long camp."

He said: "I had two weeks off after my last fight (against Jones at the same Arena in November) you get fed up at times, it is so hard.

"I have sparred the guy Whittaker uses (Durham's Mark Dickinson) a few southpaw amateurs, and the local lad Mikey Harrison."

Thankfully he hasn't broken the ribs of any of his sparring partners - which is something that happened in his previous camp.

Cameron v Rea is on the undercard of Fabio Wardley v Daniel Dubois, who contest the WBO heavyweight world championship .

The Sheffielder is conflicted over who will win.

"On paper back Dubois should win, he lost to Oleksandr Usyk but Usyk is the best.

"On the other hand I can see Wardley breaking his heart and getting him out of there! My head says Dubois my heart says Wardley. You can't really pick; it is so hard, you can make an argument for both to win."