Unbeaten knockout specialist Darren Surtees enters the #GoldenContract quietly optimistic.

The County Durham star has blasted his way to 12-0, 8 KOs to seal a spot in the tournament that has captured the imagination of the global boxing public; broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK in association with Matchroom Boxing and on ESPN+ in the US in association with Top Rank.

Although he expects to be an outsider with bookmakers, Surtees seems confident he can stun the likes of Zhankosh Turarov, Ohara Davies, Tyrone McKenna, Mohamed Mimoune, Anthony Yigit, Logan Yoon and Lewis Benson.

Surtees said: “I believe the Kazakh, Turarov will be a favourite and perhaps Ohara Davies too, whereas I’ll probably be one of the underdogs.

“I’ve seen Davies and Tyrone McKenna have already started insulting each other. All that stuff is just hype to me but if that’s the way they want it then fine. Why not?

“I’m just more of a silent operator and I’m hoping I get picked by someone at the draw. If I have to pick, I’d like to fight McKenna but anyone will do, to be honest.

“I’m confident and my preparation has been going well. I’m just going about my business and I’m enjoying all the challenges my coach Dave Binns is putting me through.”

The hotly-anticipated draw for the quarter-finals will take place on November 19 with the fights taking place at York Hall on November 22.