SUGAR Ray Leonard has always been WBF World Champion Robin Reid's hero.

And the 30-year-old super-middleweight has not ruled out throwing a few of his idol's trademark bolo punches against South African challenger Soon Botes tomorrow night when he tops the bill at the Olympia.

Reid, from Runcorn, said: "I've always admired the way Leonard boxed and how clever he was in the ring - to come through all those fights against fellow legends like Duran, Hearns and Hagler without a mark on him.

"It was in the fight against Duran he threw the bolo and it broke Duran's spirit.

"Funnily enough I have been throwing a few of them in sparring and they came off, so if I feel confident on the night, you never know."

Reid has eased down his tough training schedule in the past few days under the expert eye of coach Brian Hughes.

After weeks of hard work in the gym and pounding the region's roads, he said he cannot wait for the first bell to sound.

"I was due to fight Botes earlier this year but he pulled out and I fought the Russian instead, so it has just been a case of keeping my fitness levels high after that fight," he added.

"At our press conference yesterday he was saying he has come to fight and would go toe to toe with me, which suits me fine. I perform better when I can counter attack against a pressure fighter."

But Reid has been working on broadening the range of punches in his arsenal for this contest, something Sugar Ray was also known for.

"My right hand is my best punch, but I've been putting a lot of work in on body shots and left hooks because my coaches have identified them as areas I can improve and capitalise on.

"Anyone who has watched videos of my fights will know about my right, but they won't expect the rest and I'll be looking to come at him from all angles by mixing my attacks."

He said: "I also expect my body shots to count as he pulled out of the first fight with a rib injury. I will test out how strong he is early on, but even if he covers up his body, that leaves gaps elsewhere for me to exploit."

After missing a year of his career through contractual disputes and fight deals falling through, Reid acknowledges this is his second chance at the big time.

For him however, winning respect for his skills as a boxer is more important than any title.

"When I fought Joe Calzaghe and did so well, I think I won his respect, but after my time out, people were probably thinking I was finished," he admitted.

"I know there is a lot left in the tank though and I aim to prove it in this fight and the rest of my career.

"I won't make a prediction on a round, only that I will win. With my power that end could come early, but I'm also ready to go the full 12 rounds.

"It is not a fight people should take their eyes from."

And that is not just because of Reid's knockout pedigree, but also to see a bolo punch that could be as sweet as Sugar.