Matthew Macklin expects tough fight against Jorge Sebastian Heiland

British middleweight Matthew Macklin has admitted that his career is on the line when he faces Jorge Sebastian Heiland on Saturday evening.

Macklin has endured a frustrating 2014 which has seen him compete just once in a minor bout in September, but the former world title challenger has acknowledged that he can't let ring rust be a factor against his highly-ranked opponent

The 32-year-old is quoted by Matchroom Boxing as saying: "It's the fight that I need at this stage and if I cannot beat him, then that's it really. I know that I will beat him and it will set me up for a big 2015 where a world title shot will definitely come about.

"I wouldn't be putting in what I am putting in and making the sacrifices I am making if I didn't think I could become a world champion. Gennady Golovkin is the best middleweight in the world, but I am confident I could beat any of the other fighters in the division.

"However, I have to get past Heiland who is a serious fighter. He's never been stopped and a couple of losses that he has had he has gone on to avenge them."

The winner of Saturday's encounter in Dublin will put themselves in line for a shot at Miguel Cotto's WBC title towards the end of 2015.