Boxing: Dunne faces stern test from Morales

Colin Dunne has been a world champion since 1997, but he is just one of nearly 30 British boxers who currently hold a version of a world title.

Dunne, 32, is one of the best champions, but for long periods during his career he has fought away from the spotlight. He has the respect of boxing insiders, but just a hardcore group of avid boxing fans follow his fights. Tonight he defends his World Boxing Union lightweight title for the seventh time when he meets Colombia's Esteban de Jesus Morales at the Brentwood Centre in Essex.

There was a point back in 1996 when it looked likely that Dunne would be one of the stars of the British scene. But Dunne lost a bitterly contested British title fight against Michael Ayers and shortly after that defeat he opted for the WBU title and a life away from the neon and praise that long-serving champions once received and deserved.

Morales has lost six of his 30 fights, but there are some decent names on his record and his recent form suggests that tonight will once again be a hard evening between the ropes for Dunne.

The joint main event is the third instalment of the WBU bantamweight series between champion Johnny Armour and Francis Ampofo. So far Armour has won both of their contests, but the first was very close and the second ended in bizarre circumstances when Armour received a decision that should have been a draw.

The pair have fought 24 rounds and it is still impossible to determine who is really the best, but both have shown signs that the end is not that far away and this could be the one encounter where the decision of the judges is not required. However, it would take a brave pundit to pick a winner.

* Vern Escoe, the former Canadian and British Empire heavyweight champion who fought Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore, has died of cancer aged 78.