A Medway detention officer is pulling no punches after landing a role in one of the biggest boxing fights in the world.

Professional ring man Ian John-Lewis will take to the stage at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany this Saturday to referee the WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Reigning champion Vitali Klitschko will take on American challenger Shannon Briggs.

It will be only the fifth time in history that a British referee has taken charge of the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Ian John-Lewis said: "I'm just buzzing and can't stop thinking about the fight. There have only been a handful of British officials that have refereed this fight and the fact that my name has been added is truly unbelievable.

"This is such a massive achievement for me and I'm so honoured because they don't give the Heavyweight Championship of the World to anybody!

"This is the belt that Mohamed Ali, Iron Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and now Vitali Klitschko have all defended with pride and honour and now that I'm the man in the middle is amazing!

"This is easily the biggest fight of my career. Vitali boxed in Germany two months ago and the crowd was 55,000 strong with eight million people watching on TV.

"The biggest crowd I have ever had was 20,000 at the O2 Arena in London, so there is a big difference. However, I'll rise to the occasion, like when I first refereed Ricky Hatton defending his title at the MEN Arena where 18,000 Mancunians were going wild.

"At that fight the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I said to myself, "this is what I've been waiting for, enjoy it."

Ian's been involved in Boxing since he was 15.

The ref, from Darnley Road, Strood, said: "I can't wait to get into the ring and soak up the atmosphere and get started. I've had great support from everyone across Medway and boxing people around the country so hopefully many of them will tune in on Saturday night to see the biggest night of my life unfold."

Ian flies out to Germany on Friday for the weigh-in and the rules meeting with all concerned.