The fighter they call the Rebel has a real cause to take the IBO world light middleweight belt tonight.

Derek Roche steps into the ring in Belfast confident of upsetting the odds against highly-rated Adrian Stone.

Whatever the outcome, Roche will be left holding the baby next week to ensure some peace and harmony back home with his wife Tracy.

She gave birth a week ago to their son Teighan and Bradford-based Roche said: "She's been sleeping with him in the spare room until the fight is over so I can get some rest.

"I feel a bit guilty because I've been training three times a day for the past eight weeks and since the baby boy was born she's been up all night.

"But we know that I'm doing this for the three of us. It's our future security as a family that is at stake.

"And once it's over, I'll be doing all the fatherly duties with Teighan and giving Tracy a few days off, which she's certainly deserved."

Stone, from Bristol, has seen most of his action in America and spends much of his time working out in New Jersey.

But Roche, whose only defeat in 24 outings was to Harry Dhami for the British welterweight title eight months ago, is unimpressed with his opponent's pedigree.

He said: "The only two big names he has faced have both beaten him. I've watched a couple of videos of him and he is very strong. He's also very dangerous with his head, that's his third glove.

"He ducks into you all the time and a lot of his opponents have been so occupied by his head they haven't stopped him moving in and throwing all the punches.

"I see he is expected to win but that doesn't bother me. I'm feeling very confident and I intend to go into that ring and draw blood out of a Stone."

It will be Roche's second fight under new trainer Mark McCreath - and one of his first against a smaller man. Roche is two inches taller than Stone and said: "I think it will suit me a lot more.

"I'm usually having to reach up to lunge at opponents and jump a bit with my punches. This time I will be punching down and I should be able to get more power behind them."

Roche was dumped on the canvas five times by Dhami but returns refreshed having fought only once since, outpointing journeyman Brian Coleman. He should also be more comfortable with the weight after stepping up to 11 stone.