Such a fight will be close (4-2-4)

I believe the answer is:

hand-to-hand

I believe this is a double definition.

'such a fight' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)

'be close' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)

'will' is the link.

(Another definition for hand-to-hand that I've seen is " (Fighting) at close quarters".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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