Former European Super Bantam titlist Bernard Dunne takes a very big step up tonight in challenging reigning WBA 122 pound Champion Ricardo Cordoba tonight at the 02 Arena in Dublin, Ireland.

Southpaw Cordoba, 34-1-2 (21), of Panama has enjoyed a stellar career since turning pro in 2000 and holds a win over current IBF Champion Celestino Caballero in 2004.

24 year old Cordoba drew twice with WBA Champion of the time, Wladimir Sidorenko, during bouts in 2006 and 2007 in Sidorenko's adopted homeland of Germany and lost his only bout by split decison against Thailand's Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym for the Interim WBA belt in Thailand.

Cordoba will once again be fighting on his opponent's home turf when he faces Irish hero Dunne tonight at the 02 Arena.

Dunne, 27-1 (14), will be making his first appearance at genuine world class level after starting his career in America in 2001 and moving back to his native Ireland in 2004.

The 29 year old Dublin man has won three in a row since losing the European title to Spain's Kiko Martinez by devastating first round KO in August, 2007.

In the bout tonight, Dunne will have to pull off a picture perfect performance if he is to overcome his far more experienced opponent and the Dubliner can't afford to stand right in front of Cordoba and trade punches.

With a 9,000 strong partisan crowd behind him in his hometown, Dunne has been given the best possible advantage by his backers but given what he will find in front of him tonight, it's a longshot that he'll be able to remain competitive for all 12 rounds and take the WBA title off Cordoba.

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Boxing News Tags: Bernard Dunne, Preview, Ricardo Cordoba