Lee Haskins vs. Ryosuke Iwasa: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Lee Haskins has home advantage as he attempts to claim the interim IBF world bantamweight title at the expense of Ryosuke Iwasa in Bristol, England on Saturday.

The local favourite (31-3, 13 KO) is a former Prizefighter champion at super flyweight but is now fighting at 118 pounds. He became the British champion at the weight in 2013 before winning the European (EBU) belt last time out.

Iwasa has been a national champion as well in his native Japan; however, he has never fought outside of his country so far in a career that has seen him compile a 19-1 (12 KO) record.

The bout is only for the interim title, as reigning IBF champion Randy Caballero is currently out of action. He suffered an ankle injury back in February, per Dan Rafael of ESPN.

When: Saturday, June 13, 10 p.m. BST

Where: Whitchurch Sports Centre, Bristol, England

TV: Channel 5 (UK)

Opportunity knocks

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Haskins has, to a large degree, flown under the radar in British boxing.

He won his first 15 fights as a pro before coming unstuck against South African Tshifhiwa Munyai in his bid to become the Commonwealth champion.

There was a further setback when he missed out on the British belt, as an arm injury saw him lose to the experienced Ian Napa in 2007.

Since then, however, Haskins has lost only once. His record includes wins over Jamie McDonnell and Stuart Hall, two British fighters who have won world titles.

Haskins now wants to reach the top of the sport. He has shrugged off the Playboy nickname he gained in his younger days, explaining to Sporting Life that he is now fully focused on his career:

"

Even when I fought Jamie (in 2008) I wasn't training.

I'd do two or three weeks of light training and then struggle making the weight. I was never anywhere near peak fighting condition.

Now it's different. I've got a family and I'm older and wiser. I'm constantly in the gym and train three times a day most days. I learnt my lesson a good few times - it usually ended with me getting beaten up.

"

The 32-year-old knows that the bout with Iwasa could be his one and only shot at the big time, as he told BBC Points West: "This could be the last chance I get to fight for a world title, so I have to take it."

With his mind on the job and with the added advantage of fighting in his own backyard, this is Haskins' time to shine.

A warm welcome

Per Jake Donovan of BoxingScene.com, the two camps avoided a purse bid hearing after they came to an agreement over the location for the interim title clash.

The outcome is that Iwasa has to travel outside of Japan for the first time in his pro career.

However, the 25-year-old does not seem overly bothered by having to go on the road, per Andy Stockhausen of the Bristol Post:

"

Coming to this country to fight is a risk, but everybody has made me feel so welcome in Bristol that I'm not worried.

When you step into the ring, it could be anywhere in the world and it does not matter. I trust the Bristol people to be respectful and for the judges and referee to be fair.

I am more excited than worried and I am looking forward to showing the Bristol people a beautiful style of boxing.

"

Iwasa is ranked third by the IBF and has every right to be confident—he lost just once, to Shinsuke Yamanaka for the Japanese title, back in 2011.

He went on to be crowned national champion later that same year, beating Jerope Mercado on points.

Prediction

Iwasa is an unknown commodity to those who do not have a strong knowledge of the domestic scene in Japan.

He will have the benefit of both a height advantage (he stands at 5'7" compared to the 5'5" Haskins) and reach advantage (70 ½" versus 66") over his rival on Saturday night.

However, Haskins has the benefit of having previously faced some excellent fighters at the weight limit.

The Bristolian seems to realise the importance of the bout at this stage of his career, so expect him to grab it with both hands.

Haskins should prevail, but he will have to go the full 12 rounds to come out on top.