EXPERIENCE could be key for Liam Conroy when he goes for title glory this weekend.

The 23-year-old former Barrow ABC junior takes on Steve Cooper for the British Challenge Light Heavyweight crown at Preston Guild Hall on Saturday.

With Conroy six years younger than his Darlington opponent, it seems strange to be talking about him as the more experienced of the pair – until you take a look at the rivals’ professional career records.

Conroy has eight wins and one draw from his three-and-a-half-year 12-fight career, while Cooper has won three and lost one of his four contests.

With Conroy having boxed at last year’s Sky-televised Prizefighter Middleweights III show in Blackpool – he definitely has the edge when it comes to appearing on high-profile cards.

Although this will be his first eight-round bout, Conroy has fought over six rounds before, something which he and his trainer Johnney Roye feel could also work in his favour.

“Me and Johnney were talking about it and he was saying that I’m really experienced for the age that I am,” said the BAE Systems employee.

“And with it being an eight-rounder, I’ve already had five six-rounders so that’s a plus for me.

“I’ve prepared for a lot of fights as a pro already and I’ve had a lot of decent sparring over the past couple of years, and I think that could be telling – the difference in experience.”

One thing Conroy does not possess is much knowledge of his opponent, with Cooper’s four-fight record having seen him win three and lose to the unbeaten Sam Best.

“I don’t know anything about him to be honest,” said Conroy. “There is no footage of him. It’s another one of them where you don’t really know what to expect until you get in the ring.

“I know he will be game and really wanting to beat me.

“He has only been defeated by one unbeaten lad so he will be going in there to beat me.

“It should be a good fight. With it not being against a journeyman fighter, it could leave me with more openings because he will be coming after me a lot more than a journeyman would. Hopefully I can have quite a lot of success.”

Conroy is now fully recovered from a broken right index finger suffered in his last fight – a four-round points victory over Elvis Dube back in September – which hindered his training regime for a few months.

“The finger is fine now,” he confirmed.

“I’m functioning with it just like I was before. I started wearing smaller gloves about a month ago and that’s when I started tested it. It’s been fine, I haven’t felt it for ages.”

This has allowed Conroy to put in some serious sparring over recent weeks, against several fighters, including Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Luke Blackledge.

“That was a good experience,” said Conroy. “I’ve been sparring a couple of times a week with different lads. It’s been going good. I’m coming to the end (of the training camp) now. I’m feeling confident. I can’t wait for it.”

Conroy will be backed by a big travelling army of Furness fight fans hoping he can achieve what he has always wanted since his professional career began in June 2012 – to win a title.

“There are more than 1,000 coming down again. Everyone is coming down for the title fight and showing their support for me which is brilliant,” said Conroy, who has never fought at the Guild Hall, but has watched his old Brook Street stablemate and friend Ross Cooksey in action there.

“They’ve had some good title bouts there as well, it’s a good venue. It is going to be well attended and it should be a good atmosphere. That is what I thrive off. Our fans are usually the loudest so hopefully that will help.”

Conroy wants to thank sponsors Schofield Construction and also Death Star Tattoos in Ulverston, who have helped with expenses during his training camp.

l There are still a few tickets left, which can be purchased directly from Liam Conroy on 07429 188216.