BRADLEY SAUNDERS will take on Frenchman Stephane Benito as he prepares for his headline show in Newcastle in April with an outing at Hull’s Ice Arena on March 7.

Sedgefield fighter Saunders, who is the WBO Inter-Continental Light-Welterweight champion, will face Benito, who boasts 22 wins from his 43 professional contests, as part of the Divide and Conquer show that also features Tommy Coyle and Luke Campbell.

It will be the unbeaten Saunders’ 12th outing in the pro ranks, and should represent a relatively gentle warm-up for his headline outing at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena even though Benito once the IBF version of Saunders’ WBO belt.

“I don’t know much about him to be honest,” said Saunders, who has relocated from his Marbella base to Oliver Harrison’s Manchester gym to prepare for the bout. “I’ll just leave that to Oliver and do whatever he feels I should.

“I’m a lot better than I was in my last fight (when he laboured to a victory over Ivan Levickis in Liverpool). I’m fitter and I’m used to Oliver now, so this is like the first step of many, hopefully.

“Training has been good. I’ve secluded myself away from everyone, including my missus and my boy. I’m in my hotel room, and if I’m not there, then I’m in the gym.

“I’m working with two lads from Liverpool who work with Paul Butler in the gym. They’re very good, and know what they’re talking about.”