AFP/London

England’s Lee Purdy has his first chance to fight for a world crown today while countryman Amir Khan looks to another main event bout to see about future world title opportunities.

Purdy will face International Boxing Federational welterweight champion Devon Alexander while IBF light-welterweight champion Lamont Peterson meets Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse in the top tests at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

“I’m coming to bring the upset,” Purdy said. “I’m a big underdog. I’m here to fight. I’m in great shape and I’m ready to put a big statement out there. I believe I can cause him some problems.”

Southpaw Alexander, 24-1 with 13 knockouts, makes the first defence of the crown he took from US compatriot Randall Bailey last October. He has won three decisions since suffering his only loss, to Tim Bradley in January of 2011.

Alexander was to have fought England’s unbeaten Kell Brook, 29-0 with 19 knockouts, but a foot injury forced Brook to withdraw from a fight delayed by a Brook ankle injury in December and a February biceps injury to Alexander. “’Finally’ is the key word here,” Alexander said.

Purdy, 20-3 with one draw and 13 knockouts, has won five fights in a row and has plenty to prove as a late-notice fill-in.

“I didn’t come all this way to America to let the fans down,” Purdy said. “I’ll find a way to win. I’m going to put my heart and soul into this fight and come out victorious. I’m going to show the world what I’m all about.”

Khan has a major interest in the Peterson-Matthysse fight. That winner is expected to fight unbeaten World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council light-welterweight champion Danny Garcia later this year, with Khan likely to face the winner of that bout.

“Winning on Saturday and doing it in big fashion is going to open doors, so it’s very important, probably the most important fight of my career,” Matthysse said. “We want to fight the big names. I’d love to fight Danny Garcia.”

No title is at stake in Peterson-Matthysse even though both fighters are champions, the South American owning an interim WBC throne, because the bout is at a catchweight of 141 pounds, just over the light-welterweight limit.

Matthysse, 33-2 with 31 knockouts, has not gone the distance in five wins since losing a split decision to Alexander two years ago and has a reputation as a punishing puncher.

“My punch gives me a lot of confidence,” Matthysse said. “I’m very calm in the fights because I know what the opponents are thinking—in order to land one punch they might get caught with one of my punches.”

Peterson does not plan on letting the South American land one of his trademark knockout blows.

“I won’t worry about defence too much,” Peterson said. “I’ll just worry about not getting hit clean.”

Peterson, 31-1-1 with 16 knockouts, won a controversial split decision over Khan in 2011 but a rematch was scuttled when Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone.

The WBA stripped Peterson of the title but the IBF did not after hearing an appeal and Peterson returned to the ring last February, beating Kendall Holt to retain the IBF crown.

Undercard fighters also include British Olympic bronze medal boxer Anthony Ogogo, a middleweight, and Khan’s brother, bantamweight Haroon Khan.