Brian Magee goes into hiding before facing Hassine Cherifi

Belfast's Brian Magee has gone to ground in the run-up to the defence of his IBO super-middleweight title on Saturday.

Magee is due to face veteran Hassine Cherifi of France in what will be the biggest bill at the famous King's Hall arena since 1995.

But on the day the 35-year-old Frenchman flies into town, Magee is lying low after a week of hectic activity ahead of the sixth defence of his title.

''Brian has completed his sparring, over 50 rounds. But in the past two days he has been in big demand away from the gym,'' said coach Harry Hawkins.

''He has had a high profile with the media, and on top of that some supporters keep pestering Brian for tickets.

''There has just been too many distractions leading into Brian's toughest test against a former WBC middleweight champion.

''It's for this reason I have decided to hide Brian away at a special location from Wednesday to make sure he cannot be contacted by the media or fans.''

It will be Magee's opponent who will now be in the spotlight.

Cherifi is a very experienced, tough and well-respected character Manager Pat Magee

Cherifi, who will be 36 next month, is a durable customer who lost a close split decision against WBC super-middleweight champion Robin Reid.

''Cherifi is a very experienced, tough and well-respected character,'' said manager Pat Magee.

''He's strong and aggressive and a come-forward fighter who never holds anything back.

''He's a world-class operator for many years, been in with many of the best middleweights in the world over the past five or six years and is still regarded as a very tough customer.

''It promises to be a great return for professional boxing to the King's Hall on Saturday night.''

This will be Magee's sixth defence of his title, and he is hoping to stretch his record to 21 unbeaten trips to the ring.