MATTY Fagan’s former coach believes the Ellesmere Port fighter is in great shape for his second professional bout.

Fagan, 24, will be in action at the Liverpool Olympia next month on a bill headlined by fellow Portite and Vauxhall Motors ABC old boy Paul Butler.

The super-featherweight won his pro debut in November after edging a thriller with Francis Maina.

And Peter Phelan, who used to put Fagan and Butler through their paces when they were decorated amateurs at Vauxhalls, is confident he can make it two wins from two.

Phelan said: “Matty is in really, really good shape.

“I went over to Liverpool last week to see him and he’s doing very well.

“He had a really tough opener, not the kind you usually get in your first pro fight.

“You see some of the fights Olympians get in their first pro fights and they just don’t compare.

“Hopefully he will get a more level opponent this time.”

Butler and Fagan – who has yet to be allocated an opponent – were promoting the March 8 show in Liverpool this week.

They appeared at a press conference at The Hard Days Night Hotel alongside Stephen Smith, who like Fagan will be appearing on the undercard of Butler’s clash with Commonwealth super-flyweight champion Yaqub Kareem.

Little is known about the title holder from Nigeria.

Video footage is thin on the ground and unbeaten English champion Butler only has his rival’s boxing record to judge him by.

When asked if taking such a fight came with an element of risk, Butler’s promoter Francis Warren said: “I would agree.

“But in Arnie Farnell, Paul has a fantastic trainer behind him and marry that up with Paul’s natural ability and dedication – he lives and breathes the sport – and we have total faith.

“We do foresee a tough night because at this level you are going to get them.”

Members of Wirral Community Police ABC – the new name of Vauxhall Motors ABC – will be out in force at the Olympia to cheer Butler and Fagan on.

Phelan said: “Some of our boxers go on to became professionals and win titles but they still remain very much part of our club.”

Tickets are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or eventim.co.uk.

Wirral Community Police ABC is holding a show at Vauxhall Sports and Social Club on Friday, February 22.

Admission is £10 for adults and £5 for under 14s.

Doors open at 7pm with the first fight scheduled to start at 8pm.