The scales look to be tipped firmly in Bobby Vanzie's favour as he defends his Commonwealth lightweight title in Liverpool tonight.

His Ghanaian challenger Laatekhwa Hammond had big trouble making the weight.

The unbeaten 20-year-old was five pounds over the 9st 9lb limit yesterday morning and was still three pounds over at the official weigh-in.

While Vanzie was able to return home to Bradford having scaled 9st 8lb, Hammond was given two hours to work off the excess weight.

Eventually he weighed in just lb under the limit but his struggle suggests he may leave him short on stamina.

But while yesterday he was concerned with the pangs of hunger just to make the weight, tonight his hunger will be to win Vanzie's title.

"Hungry fighters are dangerous opponents," concedes Vanzie who expects his opponent to come out looking to land big punches.

"He's got nothing to lose and I know I have to make sure that I concentrate fully.

"Campbell may have power, but so do I. It will be good to have an opponent coming at me because that is when I can show my own power.

"I am convinced that this is going to be a high-activity fight. There is likely to be a lot of punches thrown and I don't really see it going the distance.

"This fight reminds me very much of when I won my Commonwealth title at the same arena two years ago against Athanus Nzau.

"He kept coming forward throwing punches but took so much punishment that he was stopped in ten rounds.

"I am confident that the longer the fight goes the better it is for me.

"Hammond isn't used to long contests but I tend to get stronger the longer fights go on."

If Vanzie wins well it will intensify his desire to get a world title shot. It would be no surprise if he did not consider vacating his British and Commonwealth titles if he was successful.

He is known to be frustrated at being forced to stand defending his titles rather than moving on.

"I might have something to say after the fight," teased Vanzie who will be watched tonight by IBO champion Michael Ayers.

He is due to be ringside giving expert comments for Sky Television.

"He keeps ducking me," said Vanzie. "He knows he would lose but I am not really interested in his version of the title.

"I would rather fight for one of the more highly-valued crowns."