Mark Chamberlain burst on to the scene as a big-punching lightweight.

If the 27-year-old's early opponents did manage to make it to the final bell, they generally had to pick themselves up off the canvas to do so.

Since he made the step up to junior welterweight, Chamberlain (17-1-1, 12 KOs) has been taken the distance in all three fights but there are clear signs he's becoming acclimatised to his new home.

Last August, Chamberlain travelled north to Manchester when challenging the heavy-handed Jack Rafferty for the British and Commonwealth 140-pound titles.

Chamberlain landed almost everything in his arsenal over the course of 12 brutal rounds but was forced to settle for an exciting majority draw.

The exciting performance earned him another big fight and, on March 14, he will step into the ring with another of the junior welterweight's biggest punchers in the undefeated Pierce O’Leary (18-0, 10 KOs). DAZN will broadcast the action as part of the Jazza Dickens-Anthony Cacace undercard from the 3Arena in O'Leary's hometown of Dublin, Ireland.

All of sudden, Chamberlain is going into fights where the other man's power is touted as the x-Factor in pre-fight analysis but the challenge holds no fears for the Portsmouth man.

"I've got gloves and I'll travel and I’ll fight anyone, anywhere. If it makes sense, then why not?" Chamberlain told Queensberry.

"All the pressure is on him, I guess. I've done it with going up to Manchester and into Jack Rafferty's back garden so I'll do it again here."

Although he made his name as a knockout artist, Chamberlain has never given any indication he isn't capable of standing up to heavy punishment as well as handing it out.

Back in November 2023, he displayed his stamina and toughness when battling through a bad cut to knock Artjom Ramlavs out in the final round of a 10-round war.

He may have been dropped during a surprise 10-round loss to Josh Padley in September 2024 but any doubts raised by that lacklustre, out-of-character performance were erased forever when he gave as good as he got against Rafferty, whose relentless pace and clubbing power had accounted for all of his championship opponents inside the distance.

O'Leary poses a different threat. The Dubliner is renowned for his ability to bring a fight to a sudden, shocking conclusion.

"It's no different to my last fight," he said.

"I just train hard for every fight. Obviously, I had that little slip up in September 2024 but had two fights since then and I believe my last fight proved where I’m at. "The Demolition Man" was knocking everyone out and anyone can be hurt, but it proved where I'm at. I had a 12-round war with him and I'm going to be prepared for the same again. No different."