Hove fighter Neil Linford insists it will be strictly business when he challenges his good friend Tony Oakey for the WBU light-heavyweight title.

There will be no room for sentiment when the two pals, who are both trained by Brighton's Ronnie Davies, clash on March 29 in Portsmouth.

Unbeaten Oakey, who has won all 17 of his fights, will be the firm favourite to defeat Linford in his third title defence in front of his home fans at the Mountbatten Centre and he will also have the added bonus of Davies in his corner.

Davies, who guided Chris Eubank to middleweight domination during the Eighties, will train Oakey in Hove for the defence while Linford will move to Peterborough to complete his preparation under manager Kevin Sanders for the fight which was announced today.

"I am upset I am not going to be in Neil's corner," Davies said. "I have got him ready for a crack at this title in 14 months and now I won't be his corner.

"It's a shame. Neil finally gets his big chance and he won't have me with him. However, there is nothing I can do. I was with Tony first and I shall remain with him until this fight is over, then Neil will come back to me as normal.

"I wanted Neil to get a crack at a title but I obviously did not want it to be against Tony. Now I have to send out Tony ready to beat my own boy."

Linford, 25, who moved to the city from Leicester last year to try and further his career under Davies' stewardship, said: "It's obviously a difficult situation with Ronnie but this is my big opportunity to go for a title.

"It is just one of those things that cannot be avoided. I spoke to Tony a few weeks ago when the fight was talked about and we both agreed that this is just business.

"We are good friends but it is business at the end of the day."

Although disappointed that Davies will have to relinquish his role as his trainer, Linford has no reservations about switching to Sanders.

Linford, with a record of 15 wins and one draw from 20 fights, said: "He has trained some good fighters including Nigel Benn for the Gerald McClelland fight so he knows his stuff. I am happy with that.

"Hopefully I can use what I have learnt off Ronnie to do the job.

"I have sparred with Tony for his last four fights so we know all about each other and it will be a good fight."