LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 21: Guillermo Rigondeaux (right) throws a right to the face of Drian Francisco during their junior featherweight bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Nov. 21, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

RING junior featherweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux is heading to England for his next fight, confirming he will face local favorite James Dickens in a non-title bout, March 12 at the Echo Arena, Liverpool.

The undefeated Cuban, 35, stripped of his WBO and WBA belts last year, has never fought on English soil before and his inclusion on the undercard of Terry Flanagan’s WBO lightweight title defense against Derry Mathews is a massive coup for UK promoter Frank Warren.

Rigondeaux (16-0, 10 knockouts) is promising to turn the style on, warning the comparatively-unknown “Jazza” and his army of Merseyside supporters to be prepared for a hefty defeat.

“I’m happy to announce my upcoming fight on March 12th in Liverpool against James Dickens,” said the former two-time Olympic gold medalist in a press release Wednesday. “I really look forward to fighting this young up-and-comer. I hear he’s very good but I’m going to have to disappoint his hometown fans and teach him a lesson in boxing.

“I hope the British audience appreciates my skills when I’m done with James. I’d like to thank Frank Warren for putting on the show and I also would like to thank Roc Nation (Sports) and Caribe Promotions for putting this deal together. I’m looking forward to making my British debut at a time where there is great boxing in Europe, especially in my division.

“I’m excited to come out and give my best and deliver a world-class performance to the fans.”

Rigondeaux, ranked No. 5 in THE RING magazine’s pound-for-pound ratings, has also taken a swipe at unbeaten British junior featherweights Carl Frampton (the IBF titleholder) and Scott Quigg, respectively, who meet in a grudge clash later this month in Manchester. Rigondeaux, however, is suitably unimpressed and has accused both men of dodging him.

“Frampton and Quigg are both cowards for finding ways to avoid the best in their division,” he said. “We wait in anticipation to see if the winner of a great fight between them would step up and step in the ring with me, so the whole world can see who the best 122-pound fighter is. Fans should come see the real ‘super’ world champion in Liverpool, as I’ll be ready to put on a show and be in a position to happily knock out the winner, if either would even fathom the idea of stepping in the same ring with me.”ÔÇ¿

Dickens (21-1, 6 KOs) is certainly not sidestepping Rigondeaux. Quite the opposite, he is relishing the chance to test himself against one of the sport’s elite – and prove he is a future titleholder.

“It is like a ‘Rocky’ story. One day, I’m just training waiting for my next fight and then I get call; do I want to fight Guillermo Rigondeaux? Are you mad; one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world wants to fight me? Not half, I’ll definitely have some of that!” said 24-year-old Dickens, who has won five on the bounce since being stopped in the 10th round by Kid Galahad in Sept. 2013.

“Opportunities like this don’t come around every day, so I’ve grabbed it with both hands. It’s been my childhood dream to be the best in the world and this, to me, is a golden opportunity to become the best by beating Rigondeaux.

“He might not have the belts but he’s still the world champion in my eyes. Frampton and Quigg both didn’t want to know him but what they see as a threat, I see as an opportunity. We’ve all got weaknesses and Rigondeaux will have his. It’s my job to go out an exploit them and beat him.”

Harry Pratt is on Twitter @gharrypratt