Cromer's Liam Walsh will face Russian Andrey Klimov in October on the final step towards a world title fight.

Promoter Frank Warren revealed that the unbeaten Walsh will go head to head with Klimov in a final eliminator for the IBF world super-featherweight title on Saturday, October 8 at Harrow Leisure Centre.

The fight would go some way to erasing the bad memories of 2012, when a car crash ruined Walsh's plans to challenge former WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns.

However, despite that setback and a more recent absence after hand surgery, Walsh's star has always been in the ascendancy and he remains one of the classiest operators around.

He won the British title in November, 2014, after beating Gary Sykes, and has successfully defended it against Joe Murray and Troy James.

The logical step is now to aim for the very top.

Walsh said: 'I believe it's my destiny to become world champion and I'm now within touching distance.

'I've dedicated my whole life to boxing and now it's time to go to the next level and reap the rewards.'

Walsh's eight-round TKO win over James in April was his last fight. Klimov, a California resident, made an unsuccessful challenge to reigning IBF world super-featherweight champion Jose Pedraza last year, but is set to be the toughest test of Walsh's career.

The Russian has had 19 outings, with two defeats, with nine of his wins by knockout.

Walsh has a 100pc record – 20 wins with 14 inside the distance.

The undercard for Walsh v Klimov will feature Tom Baker's English light-heavyweight title defence against Miles Shinkwin.

Also on the undercard will be Harrow's Mitchell Smith – a fighter who has taunted Walsh's twin brother Ryan in the past. However, Smith is coming off a defeat to George Jupp – a former conqueror of Lowestoft's Craig Poxton – while Ryan Walsh's career is still on an upwards trajectory.

Ryan also holds a British title – the featherweight version – and is set to face Dennis Ceylan for the European crown in Denmark later this year.

For tickets for Liam Walsh's eliminator call 07796 206124 or 07484 671443.