Liam Walsh says he is edging closer to 'the big one' as he prepares to make the second defence of his coveted British title.

The undefeated Cromer man puts his super-featherweight – and Commonwealth – straps on the line against mandatory challenger Troy James in Manchester next month.

And Walsh knows victory puts a world title shot within his grasp.

The 29-year-old is rated four in the world by the WBO and nine by the IBF and if he can see off James he will be turning his attentions to WBO world champion Roman Martinez if he comes through a possible rematch against Orlando Salido.

Two more successful British title defences would see Walsh keep the prized Lonsdale belt, but the opportunity of winning a world tilt is a massive lure – and he knows James is no pushover; the Coventry man has lost only twice in 20 fights and has never been stopped.

'I've been training and fighting hard all of my career and now I'm getting close to the big one,' said Walsh, who fights out of the Kickstop Gym in Norwich.

'I'm rated in the top 10 for two of the major governing bodies, number four in the WBO and nine in the IBF, and in the next few fights I believe that I'll be facing one of the world champions.

'I watched Martinez versus Salido and I was impressed with both guys, but I really believe that I could beat either one of them if I had the chance.

'Martinez holds the WBO crown and I'd love the shot at him – he's already been beaten by (Ricky) Burns, but I reckon I could do a great job on him.'

Walsh faces Troy at the Manchester Velodrome (the National Cycling Centre) on July 11. For tickets, call 07920 114698 or 07796 206124.