Unbeaten Irish middleweight Andy Lee is refusing to be distracted by a late change of opponent for his tenth pro fight in Cologne, Germany on Saturday.
Lee – who is now boxing out of the Kronk in Detroit - had been due to box Engin Erdogan but will now face Austrian Thomas Hengstberge over eight rounds.
Hengstberge, 34, is 12 years Lee's senior and has won 12, lost four and drawn two of his 18 pro fights.
The clash will be on the undercard of the WBO/IBF world heavyweight decider between defending champion Wladimir Klitschko and Lamon Brewster.
Limerick southpaw Lee has participated in a training camp with Klitschko in Austria for the past month and says that he is confident of taking his unblemished record into double figures.
He said: 'My training and preparations have been going exceptionally well and I couldn't be in better shape.
‘It can be a distraction when there is a change of opponent, but I just focus on my own game and I am confident of the outcome next Saturday.'
Lee's manager Emanuel Steward, who has trained and managed over thirty world champions is currently involved in negotiations with the Irish promoter Brian Peters with a view to Lee making his Irish pro debut.
Lee added: 'I would love to box at home as I am being constantly asked when I will fight in Ireland.
'Negotiations are continuing and hopefully a date and a venue will be announced in the near future.'
