Mateusz Masternak has had three changes of opponent, but that hasn't changed his objective, which is to regain the European cruiserweight title.

Masternak, who held the EBU belt back in 2012, had been scheduled to challenge Leonardo Mosquea, but the defending champion suffered an injury and had to vacate the title. That allowed Artur Mann to step in, but he also was injured, which opened the door for Joel Djeko.

Masternak and Djeko will now headline a Knockout Promotions event on Saturday in Zakopane, Poland.

"I'm delighted to have a chance to be the European champion for the second time," Masternak (49-6, 32 knockouts) told The Ring. "He's a tough opponent due to his size (6-foot-5), strong, he's been in the business for some time, he has the experience.

"The super heavyweight Olympic champion Tony Yoka needed almost 12 rounds to stop him, so I expect a tough fight."

The 38-year-old, who has been fighting professionally for almost 20 years, held training camp with coach Piotr Wilczewski – the former EBU super middleweight titleholder – in the southeastern Polish town of Dzierzoniow. He sparred with heavyweights Damian Knyba and Mariusz Wach.

Masternak will need all that experience and work in sparring to help him make the transition in training from Mann to Djeko.

"Boxingwise, Mann is more predictable in the ring," Masternak said. "He makes you work, but he doesn't do anything special if you know a boxing textbook.

"Djeko, due to his size, is more unconventional. He keeps his hands low, has good body movement, and he has a good inside game. I will have to stay focused from the first to the last round."

Andrew Wasilewski of Knockout Promotions feels Djeko is a more difficult proposition that Mann but one he needs if he is to again challenge for a world title.

"In my opinion Djeko is a much more interesting opponent than Mann," the promoter said. "It's a good fight for the European belt, and Mateusz can become a two-time EBU champion.

"Djeko is a huge, strong, heavy-handed guy, I don't expect it to be an easy task for Mateusz. I think Masternak right now wants to test himself and get some answers about himself.

"Was his performance in his last fight (against Floyd Masson last November) a question of his opponent's awkward style? Maybe it was just a bad day or maybe he's getting caught a little bit by his age. He's 38 now.

"And that's how I look at those fights. It should be a good test for Masternak."

Djeko (19-3-1, 9 KOs) fought Yoka in March 2021. He has fought only twice since, the first time as a heavweight and then back down close to the more natural cruiserweight limit.