Both Dunne and Cordoba have both suffered one professional defeat

Bernard Dunne says preparations for his world title challenge against Panana's WBA super-bantamweight champion Ricardo Cordoba next month are right on track.

The Irish fighter is in the fifth week of a training camp in Belfast and he will spend three more weeks in the city ahead of the 21 March bout in Dublin.

"There hasn't been a day yet when I haven't looked forward to going to the gym," said Dunne.

"This is the fight my whole career has been building to."

Dunne has been sparring with former European featherweight champion Alberto Servidei and Nicaraguan ex-world title challenger William Gonzalez.

The Irishman's trainer Harry Hawkins has been delighted by what he has seen in the gym.

"Bernard's been red-hot in sparring," added Hawkins.

"Servidei is a very good technical fighter and he was able to mimic Cordoba to a tee.

"Gonzalez is in at the moment and as well as being very similar in style to Cordoba, he has that extra insight because he's actually fought him."

Nutritionists Blue Shinners and Jason Kenny are also part of Dunne's team in the build-up to The O2 bout while the Dubliner is continuing his association with strength and conditioning specialist Mick McGurn.

"Mick has had a bigger influence than ever before for this fight," said Dunne.

"What Mick is about is giving me the right type of weight training to increase my power and strength but also adding explosiveness and actually increasing my speed."

Belfast mixed martial arts trainer Alec Doherty is also working with Dunne in the build-up to the contest.

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