Photos: Kerman Lejarraga, James Metcalf - Set For Battle in Bilbao

The fight between Kerman Lejarraga of Spain and James Metcalf of the UK has been sanctioned for the vacant continental title of the World Boxing Association (WBA). The fight will take place this Friday at the Bilbao Arena, in Bilbao, Spain. (photos by Ian Waltou)

Lejarraga arrives with a six-fight winning streak and with the intention of showing off his skills in front of his home crowd and making a leap to better opportunities in the world arena.

The 30-year-old fighter has finished his last three fights before the limit, which speaks to how consistent he has been. 

Metcalf is a 33-year-old veteran who has been in several tough fights and plans to use that experience to pull off an upset in Bilbao. He has fought for regional championships of different bodies, so the occasion is not new to him and he wants to close out a win that will help him get his career back on track. 

Bilbao is celebrating and this week the last promotional activities will take place before the fight. Lejarraga has 34 wins, 2 losses and 26 knockouts, while Metcalf has 22 wins, 2 losses and 14 knockouts.