The touch-paper has been lit ahead of the light-heavyweight championship clash in Liverpool after Cleverly insisted Oakey's time in the sport is over.

That has angered the Leigh Park Warrior and added spice to the Sky-televised showdown.

Oakey, 32, will be meeting an opponent 11 years his junior at the Everton Park Sports Centre.

But he will be giving away significant height and reach to the unbeaten prospect being groomed for stardom.

The angry Portsmouth man dismissed those factors, though, and has vowed to make his home city proud.

Oakey said: 'Cleverly is saying I've had my time? Well we'll see about that tonight.

'I'll answer those questions in the ring. Then we'll see if I'm finished or not.

'I don't think saying things like that is showing respect to a fellow professional.

'But it doesn't bother me. I've seen it all before. I'll do my talking in the ring.

'All I will say is I'm going to make Leigh Park and Portsmouth proud.'

Oakey looks in perfect shape for a gruelling contest with a resting heart-rate of 45 beats per minute.

The hype has been about Cleverly's age, but Oakey said he will be giving him the usual treatment.

Oakey said: 'He is a young lad, but have you seen the size of him?

'He is a man all right, and that's what he will be treated as when he steps into the ring.

'I had won two ABA titles at his age. Mike Tyson was a world champion at 21. So I know how dangerous he could be. I'll be ready for him.'