Local boxing fans have added incentive to watch the welterweight title unification fight between unbeaten rivals Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall in New Jersey on Saturday night.

Featured on the undercard of the much anticipated battle between the IBF champion Ennis and WBA counterpart Stanionis is Bermudian welterweight Nikki Bascome.

The 34-year-old orthodox fighter will square off against American Tahmir Smalls, who is the favourite going into the bout with an unblemished 13-0 professional record, including nine knockouts.

Bascome, whose own professional record stands at 12-1, feels priveliged and excited to showcase his skills on the undercard of a big title fight and is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“It’s definitely an honour being on a big card like this” Bascome told The Royal Gazette. “I've taken it very seriously and prepared with 110 per cent effort because I know how big this opportunity is, so it's definitely an honour.

“I'm definitely excited for this opportunity and it’s a new experience for me going out to Atlantic City. I've never fought there before and just looking forward to this new journey. I am definitely enjoying the moment and just enjoying the experience.”

Bascome is bracing himself for what he anticipates will be a tough battle with fellow orthodox fighter Smalls and is keeping his focus solely on his next assignment in the ring rather than any possibilities farther down the road in terms of a more lucrative fight.

“I consider this to be the biggest fight of my career,” he said.

“I take one fight at a time and try not to look too far ahead, so right now belts and all that stuff is not my goal.

“My goal and focus right now is to be successful on Saturday night. That’s my only focus and I’m not really looking past this fight because he's a very good fighter.

“I’m still fighting at welterweight but this fight is at a catchweight of 149lb, so I don’t have to make the welterweight limit at 147.”

Bascome has left nothing to chance in preparation for the fight, which will be live on pay-per-view TV and also streamed via the DAZN platform.

“Training has gone well and I’ve definitely left no stone unturned and did everything my coach has asked me to do and pushed myself,” he said.

“I got some good sparring in with Andre Lambe, Jalen Roberts, Ngai Franklin plus a few amateurs out of my camp as well in Jordan Peterkin and Zane Tankard-Furbert.”

Bascome will be accompanied in New Jersey by coach Anthony Stoneham, trainer Coleman Mills and manager Shirra Lowry.