Macklin has enjoyed a sensational year to date that has seen him win the British and Middleweight titles with back to back destructive KO’s but Pintos is planning to ruin all that good work and spoil Macklin’s Christmas and New Year.

Picture: Aidan Walsh

The South American’s manager, Sebasian Amaya said, “Rafa and his trainer have watched Macklin. He is a good fighter but Rafa is very confident and he believes he can win by knockout during the middle rounds of the fight. Rafa has fought all over the World in Germany and in Australia against excellent fighters so fighting away from home does not bother him. He fought the former WBA Super Middleweight Champion Anthony Mundine in Australia last year and Mundine never hurt him and he is a lot bigger than Macklin so there is no way that Macklin will stop him.

Picture: Aidan Walsh

“I think it’s going to be an excellent fight as they both have similar styles and like to put on a show for the fans. I have seen the odds on the fight and to have Rafa as an 8/1 underdog is crazy. He is 25/1 to win by KO so if this fight goes the way we think it will we will go back home to Uruguay very rich men!”

Macklin’s clash with Pintos on Saturday headlines the Sierra Fight Night at the National Stadium. The undercard features Dublin’s Paul Hyland making the first defence of his Irish Super Bantamweight title against Eugene Heagney.

Another popular Dubliner in action will be Anthony Fitzgerald who will have to bounce back from the disappointment of seeing his Irish title fight fall through after original opponent Lee Murtagh pulled out with a knee injury.

Unbeaten Cavan Lightweight Andy Murray also makes his return to the ring on Saturday having suffered a broken collarbone in September while Dundalk’s Michael Kelly will be out to extend his unbeaten record. Omagh’s Damian Taggart also features alongside new pro’s JJ “Slick” McDonagh from Mullingar and Dublin crowd pleaser Gavin “The Pimpernel” Prunty.

Doors open at the National Stadium at 6pm with the first fight at 6.30pm. RTE TWO’s live coverage of the event begins at 9.30pm.

Tickets for the Sierra Fight Night priced from €40 are available from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie) and all usual outlets.