Chris Bourke expecting sternest test yet as he defends WBC International title at Wembley Arena

Chris Bourke is expecting James Beech Junior to be the toughest test of his professional career.

The 26-year-old Streatham southpaw makes the first defence of his WBC International super-bantam title tomorrow night at Wembley Arena.

Bourke has won all nine of his bouts, six by stoppage, since turning over from the amateur ranks at the end of 2018.

But Beech’s only reverse in 13 fights was a unanimous decision against Brad Foster in a British title challenge last summer.

“He is come-forward, aggressive and big at the weight,” said Bourke, who halted Michael Ramabeletsa last time out in December. “He has only lost to the British champion and he gave him a hard fight.

“This is my hardest fight as a pro. I want to win, and win in good fashion. I want the British title but if that can’t happen I’ll look to keep climbing the WBC rankings and see where that takes me.”

Bourke’s seven-month ring absence has partly been down to injury.

The South Londoner has been sparring Scottish bantamweight Lee McGregor, who is due to challenge for the European title next month, and stablemate Louie Lynn.

“I’ve stayed in the gym working with Martin Bowers and the coaches there, just perfecting my craft every day,” explained Bourke.

“I’ve still been grafting away over that period. Sparring is where you practise things – you don’t have to win every spar. It is where you learn the most and do your technical work, whereas in the fights you have to learn how to dig deep.”

With the rise in Covid-19 cases, Bourke is being careful to ensure his spot on the Queensberry Promotions show is not put at risk.

“I’m in a bubble and my mum and girlfriend can’t go out socialising because it might ruin my fight,” said Bourke. “Everyone around me is being really strict. I’d be sick if I couldn’t box.”