Tom Dallas might be a massive underdog when he fights for a world title in New York City this weekend but he still fancies his chances.

The Chatham heavyweight turned 30 on Thursday but celebrations were low-key as he was busy plotting a way of beating well-fancied Charles Martin.

The world-famous Madison Square Garden will be the venue for Dallas’ first fight since September 2013, as he meets unbeaten Martin for the WBO NABO title on Saturday.

“I do think I’ve got a chance,” said 6ft 6in Dallas (17-4 12KO), whose last outing ended in a second round TKO to Ian Lewison in a Southern Area title scrap.

“I have seen him and, yes, he punches hard but so does anyone that’s 18 stone.

“I know you can’t compare them but I’ve sparred with David Price and Anthony Joshua and they hit hard. He is hittable and can be sloppy. I won’t be laying down. I am going to put up a fight.”

The fight will be on the undercard of the world heavyweight bout between Wladimir Klitschko and Bryant Jennings.

Dallas doesn’t currently have a British ranking due to his inactivity over the last two years but any kind of result would propel him right back up the pecking order.