Irish super-middleweight champion JJ McDonagh will fight against Chris Eubank Jr in Saudi Arabia on 28 September.
The high-profile bout will take place on the undercard of the final of the World Boxing Super Series, where George Groves takes on Callum Smith.
Eubank Jr was beaten by Groves in the semi-final of the competition, losing to his fellow Englishman on a unanimous decision, and will look to put himself back in world contention by taking on McDonagh.
The big-hitting Irishman, who is a previous sparring partner of Eubank, has already taken to Twitter, calling Eubank a "gimmick", claiming that he will finish off the former world champion in the Jeddah bout, which takes place at The Indoor Sports Hall at King Abdullah Sports City.
You’re a gimmick. @bjsaunders_ taught you a boxing lesson. @StGeorgeGroves showed you levels & I’m just going to finish you.
— JJ McDonagh (@JJMcDonaghBoxer) September 17, 2018
Have that towel ready @ChrisEubank
McDonagh’s professional record stands at 16 victories and four defeats, with his most recent outing ending in a three-round defeat to Roy Sheehan at the Last Man Standing knock-out competition at the National Stadium earlier this year.
The Mullingar man beat Darren Cruise to take the Irish title in 2016, and followed it up with an impressive victory over English fighter Jake Ball, which landed him the WBA International Light-Heavyweight title thanks to a devastating first round knock-out against the English prospect.
However, Eubank Jr will be McDonagh’s first time in the ring with world level opposition in a fight that is expected be the toughest of his career.
"I’m surprised he did not retire after he embarrassed himself against Groves," said McDonagh.
"Eubank is a fit man but he does not know how to fight hard. I’m a fighting man from a fighting family of generations of fighters. I am going to knock him out!"
Eubank Jr has been immersed in a Las Vegas training camp and was very keen to be a part of the Jeddah show, which should offer him another shot at a world title or at least an eliminator bout, should he account for the Irishman.
"I have been training hard in Vegas, and I am looking be a part of the event in Jeddah," said Eubank Jr.
"I am preparing for any scenario that may present itself."
Eubank Jr has previously held the interim WBA title and the IBO world title, and impressed on his last outing against an Irish fighter, stopping Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan in 2015 at the O2 Arena in London.
