LUKE Blackledge will continue his preparations for next month’s bout with Rudy Markussen in Denmark when he faces Elvis Dube tonight – and trainer Kevin Maree hopes the risk of taking the fight will pay off.

The Accrington boxer travels to Frederikshavn to face Markussen on April 13, a year after shocking fellow Dane Mads Larsen, but first he has taken on a warm-up fight against Dube in Wythenshawe.

Dube has won only five of his 22 fights but is a heavy puncher and has been chosen because of his similarities to Markussen.

And Maree has warned Blackledge of the need to concentrate to avoid anything that could jeopardise the Markussen fight, which has been postponed by a month.

“Luke has already been in training camp for two months and he’s got another six weeks to go so this breaks it up,” said the Stirk House trainer.

“Luke is a better fighter when he’s active. Markussen was injured so the fight got put back, but Luke kept training.

“We looked at a few opponents and we could have picked an easier opponent than Elvis Dube, but he has that similar stature and is heavy handed like Markussen.

“He will have to concentrate and not switch off for a single second.

“Luke and Elvis Dube have a common opponent in Carl Wild, who is known for being durable and Luke went 10 rounds him. Elvis Dube knocked him out in one round, so he is dangerous.

“Luke has been working on things in the gym and now he will be able to work on it against a live opponent.”