Boxer Josh Kennedy has been handed the perfect Christmas present – being named on the undercard of David Haye’s comeback fight at the O2 Arena.

Kennedy, 24, has won all four of his professional fights but his next one, on January 16, will be on a bigger stage to anything he’s experienced before.

The super-bantamweight from Folkestone will take to the ring shortly before Haye comes out of retirement to fight Australia’s Mark de Mori.

Kennedy said: "To be fighting in the same arena as a former world heavyweight champion speaks for itself, doesn’t it?

"My promoter put my name forward for it. They wanted people who had six fights or more but they know I should be boxing in these kind of arenas and they saw all my four fights had come by knockout. Hayemaker Promotions said ‘we’ll take him’.

"I watched the Tyson Fury undercard the other week and it was shocking. There were some talented boys there but no excitement. It was mediocre.

"But every time I box, people are on their feet. This could open some doors for me.

"The more people are there, the less nervous I get. I’ve fought in front of hundreds at York Hall so imagine what it’s going to be like with 15,000 people potentially chanting my name.

"When all those people are there supporting you, the nerves go away.

"If I do well, things like this could come around more often."