BRITISH boxing great Lloyd Honeyghan rates Southampton's Matthew Barney as "an outstanding talent".

Honeyghan is promoting Barney's Southern Area title defence at Elephant & Castle on Sunday against ex-Jamaican Olympian Chris Membard.

And the former undisputed welterweight world champion told the Southern Daily Echo that it will be an explosive fight.

He said: "Chris is a spectacular puncher with a great left hook.

"He is a knock-out specialist with lethal weapons in both hands and he will be taking no prisoners.

"I think it will be Matthew Barney's hardest fight yet. But Barney is a great boxer and an outstanding talent, so it should be an excellent fight."

Honeyghan pulled off one of the biggest shocks in boxing history 16 years ago when he dismantled the previously unbeaten Donald Curry in front of a stunned Atlantic City crowd. At his peak the Jamaican-born fighter, known as the Ragamuffin, was unquestionably one of the best British boxers of all time.

He defended his title with wins over Johnny Bumphis, Maurice Blocker and Gene Hatcher before regaining it with an amazing three-round demolition of Jorge Vaca.

Honeyghan, now aged 42, makes his living as a promoter.

"I'm doing OK and looking forward to Sunday's fight," he said.

"It should be a great afternoon of boxing and I would urge Southampton fans to have their Sunday lunch and then make their way up the M3 to the Elephant & Castle."

Disco group Boney M, who wrote the 1970s classic tune Brown Girls in the Ring, will also be performing prior to the boxing.

It will be Barney's second fight in the space of four weeks after he knocked out Sheffield's Paul Owen in seven rounds to add the British Masters title to his IBO Intercontinental crown.

A victory on Sunday would move super-middleweight Barney even closer to his dream of a world title shot against IBF champion Robin Reid, IBO king Brian Magee or WBO champ Joe Calzaghe.

The 28-year-old admits Membard is a dangerous opponent, but is confident of a comfortable win.

"He has recently just defeated an unbeaten Jamaican prospect and he also knocked down Brian Magee," said Barney. "I will just box him early on and then take him apart."

Barney, who now bases himself out of the Maloney Fight Factory at Old Kent Road, added: "They are certainly keeping me busy at the moment and I am hopeful for a world title fight next."

Southampton promoter Jack Bishop has confirmed his heavyweight, Colin Kenna, will not be appearing on Sunday's bill after negotiations to find a suitable opponent fell through.

In amateur boxing action, Golden Ring stars Mark Atkins, 17, and Mitchell Whitehead, 12, both boxed on a show in Bournemouth on Saturday.

The bouts came just four days after their wins at Ikon nightclub last week but both were again victorious, this time on points.