Taylor-Pili: How does the referee prepare for Saturday’s world title fight at Croke Park?

Irving says he will go through a well established routine in his preparations for the big fight.

“A world title fight you make sure you have your uniform together, your pens, your scorecard, your towel and your water.

“You make sure you are hydrated because it could be a warm night and the fight could go the whole way, the whole 10 rounds, which can be very tiring.

“I’ll be prepared, I always do a bit of training, always keep myself right eating wise.

“I can assure everyone that I’ll be ready, no matter how big the fight is, how big of an occasion it will be, I’ll be ready. I’m just looking forward to getting in there and I just hope it all goes according to plan.”

The Belfast referee added that being prepared for all potential scenarios, including those that may not be anticipated, is all part of being fight-ready.

“It’s the unexpected, being a referee. That part of me is always ready to go. That’s where the confidence and the experience I have got now comes in, they have that confidence in me to make it an equal and smooth competition and may the best person win.

“You will be nervous, that’s the thing about boxing, it’s the unexpected.

“If you’re a boxer, you go out to box, you have your programme in mind, you’ve done your work and you’re ready to go.

“Refereeing is just the same. I’ve done my work, kept myself together, and do a lot of work, I do a lot of remote scoring, keep myself sharp, looking for the unexpected, and to be as quick as I can for the unexpected.”