Lowestoft's Craig Poxton has been handed the chance of a lifetime after confirmation that his next fight will be for the WBO European super-featherweight title.
Poxton faces Lyon Woodstock in Leeds on Saturday, October 21 in a match-up that was originally due to be for the vacant WBC International Silver super-featherweight title.
But promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that the European title is now on the line – with a top-15 world ranking with the WBO awaiting the winner.
Poxton pulled off one of the upsets of the year last February when he chopped down previously unbeaten Boy Jones Jnr in 10 rounds to capture the Southern Area super-featherweight strap at the York Hall.
Woodstock is regarded as a rising star of the scene and last April, in an emotional homecoming at the Leicester Arena, he won the Midland Area super-featherweight belt after stopping holder Paul Holt in round three.
Poxton said: 'Lyon likes to get in your face and if he needs that to get stoked, good for him.
'But that won't bother me. I'm not one for mouthing off and won't get side-tracked by who said what.
'Boxing's a man's sport. You don't need all the BS. Just enjoy the fight.
'I always train as if it's the hardest fight I'll ever have, against the best possible version of my opponent. I never take my foot off the gas. I've had eight weeks notice and a quality camp; lots of top sparring with the Walshes (Liam and Ryan) and Archie Sharp. I'm ready to go to work.'
Lyon has never been short of a word and said: 'Poxton is my 'coming of age' fight, the fight I've been working towards since I first turned pro. Everything from here on in is extra.
'If he comes to knock me out, he'll come unstuck very quickly. I'm the type who'll knock you cold when you're attacking me. I can find that finishing shot in the eye of storm, end any fight at any moment. On the night, I'll put my plan into play. Trust me, I could do what I want with Poxton. I've been through far too much in my life for my spirit to be broken by another man, if we go toe to toe. I'll be leaving the ring with that belt around my waist.'
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