HUDDERSFIELD’S Alistair Warren has a fight on the big Kell Brook bill in Sheffield.

The 24-year-old super-middleweight – better known as Burt – will take on unbeaten knockout specialist John Ryder on the Sky-televised show on Saturday, March 17.

While Brook’s showdown with Matthew Hatton for a possible world welterweight title shot is top of a sold-out programme, there will be plenty of interest in Warren’s intriguing contest.

Linthwaite-based trainer Chris Aston – fresh from guiding Tyrone Nurse to the Prizefighter final – reckons Warren is primed to improve his record of eight wins, one draw and only one defeat.

“John Ryder has had nine straight wins and six by knockout, so he is not to be taken lightly, but Burt is ready for the longer, harder rounds and this bout will suit him,” said Aston.

“It can take Burt a round or two to get warmed up, so the shorter distances aren’t really for him. One or two people might be surprised we have taken this fight, but Burt is very underrated.

“We see him in the gym and we know how good he is. Someone like Ryder can get a 9-0 record and think everyone is going to fall over, so they set off a little bit too quick.

“Burt is the wrong man to stand in front of. He is very tough and strong, he’s very heavy-handed and it should be a cracking fight between the two of them.”

Ryder was a big name in the amateurs and is ranked above Warren, but Aston believes his man – whose only defeat came at the hands of Frenchman Hugo Kasperski when he challenged for the WBC youth super-middleweight title in Geneva – has a great chance to make a big impact.

“People will look at the fight and think it could go either way, but if Burt performs I wouldn’t be surprised at all for him to win,” added Aston. “Burt is strong and better than people give him credit for and this could be an awakening for John Ryder.”