YORK boxer Mike Fafera has offered to shake his opponent's hand on Saturday if he lasts four rounds against the up-and-coming pro.

The 24-year-old will fight Latvian Edgars Sneidze - who is six years his senior - at Elland Road tomorrow looking to notch his third professional win from three bouts.

Fafera's previous two fights have both ended in the first round, to the Huntington man's frustration. He is optimistic that Sneidze - who has contested 30 bouts and 101 rounds, winning six fights by knock-out - can provide the challenge he wants.

He said: "Hopefully he's someone who can give me rounds.

"I've checked his record out, he's managed to stop six people out of his six wins.

"But I'm nobody he can stop.

"I've trained hard enough to give him a couple rounds then stop him in the third. That's the game plan, I just need to execute it now.

"The people he's stopped are nobodies.

"I know I can take a big punch and I don't think he'll have a strong enough punch to stop me.

"If he lasts four rounds, I'll shake his hand."

A significant portion of Fafera's dedicated fanbase from York will be making the short journey west for Fafera's first fight of the year, which he is hoping can act as a springboard.

"I'd like to say 'thank you' to the 100 people who have bought tickets," Fafera said. "Thanks you to everyone supporting me from the start and to the people who will want to come and show their support. It's much-appreciated."

He added: "I'm really excited to start putting York on the boxing map. The last person in York to do that was Henry Wharton. I have nothing but respect for Henry, but it's time for someone else to do it.

"York's a big place and it's missing a big sportsperson.

"I definitely want to start the year right. By the end of the year, my goal is to be eight and 0.

"I want a good win, hopefully by knock-out - something to keep me focused.

"I don't want to be going out drinking and celebrating too much. I want to be back in the gym training, then I'll have a little break at the end of the year and then get back in the gym. For now, all I'm concentrating on is boxing.

"A win on Saturday will set me on the right track and give me something to work on.

"I just want to stay in the gym, not put weight on, get wins and by the end of the year be eight and 0, looking to bigger fights next year."

Fafera's next fight is May 5. "Don't book anything else apart from this because it's going to be a good one," he told his followers.

Doors tomorrow are at 6pm and the first fight at 7pm.