Lowestoft boxer Craig Poxton isn't worried by the step up in class ahead of his Southern Area title fight against George Jupp at York Hall tomorrow night.

Poxton has been marked out as a fighter to watch since his return to the sport last year, registering seven straight victories.

However, the 26-year-old faces his biggest test so far against Jupp, who also goes into the bout on the back of seven consecutive wins.

It is not a prospect that daunts Poxton, though, after the Barnsley-born fighter went into Esham Pickering's backyard earlier this year to pull off a surprise win against the former European champion.

'I will probably be the underdog again,' admitted Poxton, who trains with Matt Smith at Ultimate Boxing in Lowestoft. 'He will be the favourite because he's chosen me to fight but Esham Pickering did the same and I managed to pull a win out there.

'It's a step up but one I'm ready to make – I feel really good and things have been coming together really well.'

Tomorrow's fight could go the full 10 rounds, longer than Poxton has ever been before, but he insists the longer distance will suit his style.

'I've done quite a few four-rounders and they are always a bit of a sprint,' he added. 'If it goes a bit longer you can settle into each round and work on different things. You are able to box a bit smarter and I think I will like that a bit more. It means I haven't got to go mental for 12 minutes – I can enjoy it a bit more.'

Poxton acknowledges Jupp will have a reach advantage over him, but insists he hasn't made special plans to combat his opponent's style.

'He is a quality lad and he has only lost two of his 11 fights so I know it's going to be tough,' he said. 'I know he is tall and he is obviously going to have the reach advantage but to be honest I've not seen a lot of him. I'm not being disrespectful – if you're focusing on what they may or may nor do then you're fighting on their terms and I don't want to do that.'