Hugely gifted super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu is ready to step from prospect to contender.

The 20-year-old Canadian will face long-time fringe contender Shakeel Phinn on Thursday at the Montreal Casino, Montreal.

"I wanted that fight because I think it was the best option for me, he was ranked ahead of me and the right matchup for this point in my career," Mathieu told The Ring.

"I've known him for quite a time now. I think it was a good step to do right now, I know it was a big step but one I am ready to take."

The Eye of the Tiger-promoted show will streamed on punchinggrace.com and Top Rank Classics on Top Rank Classics FAST channel beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Mathieu (14-0, 10 KOs) could have taken a lesser opponent in trying to bridge the gap between where he is now and where he's looking to be. However, the Quebec youngster remains extremely confident in his own abilities and feels now is the time to make a move.

"First of all, boxing is not a thing I am going to play with, I don't want to waste time, I feel I am ready to take that step," he explained. "I think the better my opponent is, the better I am going to be. Phinn is going to bring something out of me the people haven't seen.

"I know he is a solid guy, he has a lot of cardio, physically strong, is experienced. I know it's going to be a good fight for me, I really feel like I'm better than him in every aspect. It is going to be a great win on my resume, going to be in the rankings and my name is going to be more known worldwide."

Earlier this month, Mathieu and his trainer Giuseppe Moffa were among a few who headed to Philadelphia for some sparring and training for a three-day stint at Bozy's Dungeon, home to several world-class fighters.

"I didn't spar with [Jaron] Boots [Ennis], he was there and training, it was a great experience," Mathieu said. "Just to see the champions there, Stephen Fulton, Ennis, a lot of world-class fighters and it was good to be around them, I like to be in a different environment.

"I sparred twice, there it's four-minute rounds with a 30-second break and it was harder. They don't want to be gentle with you, they want to kill you, make you go back to Canada."

That experience further lit a fire under the rising young star, who was announced as a Ring ambassador last year.

"I think I need that cause in the fight I'm not going to be comfortable or in my comfort zone," he continued. "I need to get used to being comfortable in situations I'm not supposed to be."

Much has been made of Mathieu since he was in his mid-teenage years, this will be his proving ground to show those yet to be convinced of his potential for a bright future.

"I think I am a world class fighter and I am going to show why on October 30, people are going to be surprised. Actually, I am surprised how many think I am going to lose this fight, it shows that people don't know me really well."

"I understand that because I didn't show much in my fights - usually they are two-to-four rounds at maximum. The most I did was six but people haven't seen the best of me yet, so I can understand, but I am going to show them who I am."

He expects this week will serve as his coming out party.

"I want to make a statement. People weren't expecting me to take such a big step, early in my career. Shakeel Phinn is way better than all my opponents fought before, but I am going to show I am ready for that step.

"I am going to outclass him way better than people think. He took this fight because he thinks I am inexperienced and has a chance against a younger guy but I'll show I am a level above him."

After speaking to Mathieu, his Eye of the Tiger promoter Camille Estephan felt it was time to let him off the leash.

"He's a very young guy but super mature, very committed to becoming a star and extremely confident," Estephan noted. "So, I think he's going to make a splash against Shakeel, a very dangerous fight but the perfect one to establish himself as a true main eventer."

Phinn (27-3-2, 17 KOs) turned professional in early 2015. He overcame an upset loss in his second fight to reel off 15 consecutive wins before suffering an eight-round majority decision defeat by Ramon Aguinaga in December 2017.

The now 34-year-old veteran claimed a regional title after a 10th-round stoppage of Elio German Rafael in June 2019, though lost that momentum after Mateusz Tryc outpointed him over eight rounds five months later. After a two-and-a-half year hiatus, he reeled off a five-fight win streak before appearing unlucky to draw a 10-rounder with Erik Bazinyan last May.

Since then, he has fought just once when he pitched a 10-round shutout victory over seasoned Facundo Galovar in January.