LEE Churcher insists there is absolutely no pressure on him for what he feels is the biggest opportunity of his career at the Copper Box Arena in London this Saturday.

Fighting on the same Frank Warren bill as St Joseph’s duo Lee Selby and Craig Evans, 37-year-old Churcher will attempt to become the new IBF European middleweight champion.

Now trained by Gavin Rees, Newport’s Churcher has a good feeling about claiming the vacant crown against ex-English champion Joe Mullender.

Mullender, six years his opponent’s junior, is, like Churcher, eyeing up the Lonsdale Belt in the not too distant future, but the Welshman is planning to derail the former's quest this weekend.

“It’s by far the biggest test and biggest opportunity of my boxing career but there’s no pressure at all on me and I love that,” he said.

“I’ve always had a successful building company so I’ve never really boxed for money.

"I just want to get as high as I possibly can. Any money is a bonus.

“Joe Mullender’s an interesting fighter, very big for a middleweight. But whereas Joe can only come forward, I’ve got options.

“I’m known as a powerful puncher and a skilful puncher but I can box front or back foot, move laterally or plant my feet and unload my bombs.

"Mullender will have to wait to see what I choose.

“He’ll discover I’m a huge puncher. As a plasterer, moving my arms up and down walls all day helps develop real power and 12 rounds is a long time for him to avoid getting hit clean.

“If he hasn’t got a granite chin, he’s going to sleep.

"It’s a well-matched fight and I’m really looking forward to it.

"I believe I’ll win because I’m a better boxer and I hit harder.”

He added: “Victory could earn me a fight for the Lonsdale Belt – a beautiful thing – and get me a top-15 world ranking.”

Coach Rees, the former WBA light-welterweight world champion, believes his man can shock Mullender in the capital, with an early finish the plan.

“Not many have heard of Lee but he’s got a decent record and we believe he could pull off a shock,” he said. “He’s got a nice dig on him and hits far harder than his record suggests.

“Lee’s a lot fresher 37-year-old that I am. At his age, you can’t turn chances like this down.

“It’s a great opportunity to finally showcase what he’s about and you don’t know what might come off the back of it.

“He’s trained very hard and we’ve got him as good as he’s going to get.

"Joe Mullender is very fit but, from what I’ve seen, he’s not the best technically and doesn’t bring much firepower.

“Mullender will be in Lee’s face and it’ll be a brawl. Lee will have to hold his ground and bang back.

“Our plan is to take him out early. Lee’s certainly capable of that.”