NAKED bloodlust will once again unite every race, creed and class as Bermuda’s boxing fans head down to Number One shed for Fight Night on Saturday.The island’s most mixed sporting event will be packed out as novice boxers bid for glory but risk humiliation in front of 1,500 baying fight fans.

Last year Leo Richardson out-punched Joshua Smith over five intense rounds to win the unofficial title of Bermuda’s best heavyweight.

And Kejon Trott was presented with the Middleweight Championship belt after his opponent Andre Bean failed to show up.

This year’s bouts are putting the emphasis again on the beginner boxers rather than those with a bit of form.

But organiser Herbie Adderley says there is plenty to get the blood pumping for the guaranteed sell-out in the electric atmosphere of Hamilton’s Number One Shed.

He said: “I could have sold it twice over. It’s the biggest boxing event on the calendar.

“Everyone comes — black, white, rich, poor, Bermudian and expat.”

He enthuses about the exhibition fight between teenagers Nikki Bascome and Callon Burns, who will represent Bermuda in the Caribbean Amateur Boxing Tournament this June.

Adderley says the rematch of Darrin Xuereb and Nathan Sorrattino should get sparks flying with the 23-year-old Xeureb out to avenge last year’s defeat by the 31-year-old.

“It was very close, you didn’t know who was going to pull it off.”

Renegades Rugby player Tom (Hit Man) Healey will be eager to grab his third win when he takes on Jashun Thomas, who at 19 is nine years younger but six pounds heavier.

Saturday’s card also has a women’s bout between Avita O’Connor and Melissa DaPont who are also representing Bermuda in the Caribbean this summer.

And Adderley said the duel between MR Onions footballer Mark Dunlop and Renegades rugby player Tyler Johansen in the heavyweight category should be another great fight.

Dunlop made a triumphant debut in last year’s Fight Night and won again last summer at Clearwater Beach but narrowly missed out on points at the black-tie event at the Fairmont Southampton in October.

He said: “I know exactly what I am letting myself in for this year — although I had been to watch the previous year, I had no idea what it would be like to come out in front of everyone with the gloves on.

“This year I feel I have more pressure on my shoulders to do as well as I did last year. I helped give the MR Onions lads a good night out last year and hope to do the same this year.”

Dunlop has been working on his technique to counter the 192 pound southpaw.

“I have had to learn how to do everything backwards. It’s very awkward.”

But he believes sparring with team-mate Rob Perry, who is also southpaw, has given him enough pointers on how to play it.

Perry, 31, is taking on Dan Burgess in the light heavyweight category and has been training hard at the the Controversy Gym since January.

Last year Perry beat Tom (The Tank) Greenslade.

“This time around, I will be concentrating on the more technical aspects.

“I have been getting some top level tutoring at Controversy Gym. I just need to remember it all and not lose my head when you have 1,500 people shouting and screaming.”

Perry said the raucous atmosphere was what made Fight Night so special.

“I’m looking forward to hearing the banter between the rugby and football teams.

“In the past few years MR Onions FC have had a number of players winning on fight night.

“The noise made by the MR Onions lads in the stands has been tremendous and this year will be no different.”