The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife as combatants Nikki Bascome and Claudele Duprier sized each other up at yesterday’s press conference at the Flagpole in Hamilton.

“I know he’s coming here to fight but I have a job to do and that’s what I plan to do,” a pumped up Bascome said. “I just have to go in there, do what I do, listen to my coach and trust in my skills and abilities, which I know I can.”

Duprier appeared just as eager as his Bermudian opponent to square off in tonight’s welterweight showdown at the Bermuda College Gym.

“I’m ready to get right into it and rumble, man,” the American said. “It’s all about who wants it more so let’s do this.”

Bascome, who fights out of Allen “Forty” Rego’s Gym, is unbeaten in two professional fights so far. It is a record the orthodox fighter wants to keep intact going into to his next battle.

“I know that the pressure is on me to maintain my unbeaten record,” he said. “But I train very hard which eases the pressure. I have worked very hard and I feel great. I am just going to do what I do, and that’s box.”

Fighting in front of the home crowd for the second time in seven months has given Bascome added incentive to perform in the ring.

“It is nice to fight in front of your own fans because they give you good support and that extra motivation to go out there and do your best,” he said. “I am just going to go out there and do what I have to do.”

Duprier, who is making his professional debut, has admitted to knowing very little about his opponent ahead of the four round bout.

“You don’t know until you are actually in there in the heat of the moment and it is time to exchange,” he said. “You never know until you are out there and the mission is complete.”

The bout between Bascome and Duprier is part of a main event double-header also featuring American women’s boxers Shae Alvarez and Lena Taylor. The undercard will feature several of the Island’s top amateurs.

n Tickets can be purchased at Sports Source, Sports R’ Us, Audio Visual and at BDATIX.BM.