Jeremy ?War Machine? Van Diemen (4-0-1, 3 KO?s) takes on fellow undefeated West Australian Andrew ?Mean Machine? Green (10-0, 5 KO?s) for the Western Australian State Light Heavyweight Title tonight at Thunderdome II at Metro City Perth, Australia.
The pair grew up together and are still friends outside the ring, however, their friendship goes out of the window tonight once they step inside the ring.
Green and Van Diemen never faced each other as amateurs but have sparred each other more times than they care to remember.
Greens trainer Dave Hassan told the West Australian "I don?t think it will be hard for Andrew to go up against a mate, in fact he?s looking forward to it.?
?He knows boxing is his one chance to put a dollar in his pocket and it just happens to be Jez that?s in his way" Hassan said
Van Diemen?s trainer Peter Wilkinson has a similar view
"They live in the same area but as we?ve explained to the pair of them, boxing is business," Wilkinson said.
?If Jezza catches him, then I don?t think it will go the distance, maybe five or six rounds, that?s unless Green stays away from him for the eight rounds, but that?s hard to do at the heavier weights, you soon start to gas if you are dancing around,? Wilkinson said.
Van Diemen is a former national amateur champion and a big puncher who enjoys stopping his opponents.
Green moved in with his trainer Dave Hassan two months ago and has trained three times a day in preparation for this fight with Van Diemen.
?Jezza knows he can?t box with Andrew, he?s going to try to foul him, to rough him up and use every trick in the book, we?re fine with that, we?ve taken it into account,? Hassan said.
?But we are going to beat him at his own game, we know it?s about putting rounds in the bag but, honestly, I think Andrew will knock him out.?
?He has to pace himself and not get carried away too early, and if the knockout?s there then fine, but you don?t have to chase it,? Hassan said
In the main event of ?Thunderdome II? ?Indonesian Thunder? Daud Cino Yordan (30-3, 23 KO?s) takes on Daniel ?Tatu? Brizuela (25-1-2, 8 KO?s) for the IBO World Lightweight Title.
Jason ?Nugget? Cooper (6-1-1, 3 KO?s) will face Rasmanudin (17-3-2, 9 KO?s) for the IBO Asia Pacific Super Bantamweight title.
Luke ?Razor? Sharp (5-0-2) takes on the experienced ?Baby? Pete Mitrevski Jr. (23- 8-1, 11 KO?s) for the IBO Asia Pacific Middleweight title.
Local prospects, "Sammy Automatic" Hogan and "Brilliant" Brandon Ogilvie will also be on Dragon Fire Promotions ?Thunderdome II? tonight.
Follow Brett Bonetti on Twitter @brettbonetti
Tickets to Thunderdome II are still available at www.oztix.com.au
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