Defence key for Mark Lloyd, says Barry McGuigan

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan has urged Shropshire's Mark Lloyd to use all his skills and cunning when he steps between the ropes against Canadian puncher Pier Olivier Cote tomorrow.

McGuigan admitted 36-year-old Lloyd will be an underdog in the bout which takes place over eight three-minute rounds in Nottingham on the Carl Froch-Lucian Bute undercard.

Cote currently has an unblemished record of 18 wins with 12 knockouts in a promising four-year career. But Lloyd, from Shifnal, will have the edge in experience having compiled a record of 15 wins and five losses since his debut in September 2005.

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He has also only been stopped once, in the eighth round against unbeaten Swindon fighter Jamie Cox, who has since gone on to claim the Commonwealth light-middleweight title.

During a visit to AFC Telford to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Telford Amateur Boxing Club, McGuigan had some tips for tackling a big-punching opponent.

He said: "I've seen this guy Cote. He's a banger. I think you need to think of defence.

"You just need to think 'First thing I'm going to do is I'm going to keep my jab in his face, keep my hands tucked up nice and tight and don't offer him any opportunities' and then hope to take advantage of the fact he's going to run at you and try and get you out of there.

"Don't take any risks. Box off a snappy jab, keep off the ropes so you don't get caught more than two or three punches at a time, keep the fight in the centre of the ring and use your skill."

McGuigan will be present at the Capital FM Arena as he is working as a television pundit during the main event, which will see Nottingham's Froch challenge Cote's stable-mate Bute for the IBF world super-middleweight title.

Dudley middleweight prospect Ryan Aston will also feature on the bill in a six-rounder against Newport veteran Paul Samuels.