New Zealander contender David Light is vowing to shock the world on Saturday night, when he faces WBO cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie.

The mandatory contest takes place at the AO Arena in Manchester.

Light earned the shot back in December, when he overcame a final round knockdown to win a split decision victory over Brandon Glanton.

"I meet people and I have to explain to them and like really convince them that I'm a professional boxer, they just don't think that that's what I am," Light said to Sky Sports. "People are always writing me off. Something that I've really started to enjoy is proving people wrong."

Okolie, regarded by some pundits as the top man at the weight, is a tremendous favorite to hand Light his first career defeat.

The champion has looked dominant, with 14 of his 18 wins being secured inside the distance.

Light has a lot of respect for Okolie, but he's not the least bit worried about the odds. The underdog has studied Okolie and his style for years.

"It was the same thing [with Glanton]. I came in as the underdog," Light said. "I was really the underdog. Real credit to the judging of the WBO, they saw it the way I thought it was and gave me the win. I was really stoked for that.

"We've had our eye on Okolie for a few years. We knew this was happening and we've been preparing for it for a few years now. I've known that this is what it was going to be.

"[Okolie] got bits that he can be exploited too. He's obviously got a massive right hand, he's got the height and he uses his height. He can avoid danger in that way."