EAMONN O'Kane's Lavey GAC rumble has been given the go-ahead for May 2.
'King Kane' hopes to fight for an IBF Inter-Continental title or, even better, an IBF middleweight title eliminator at the county Derry venue against an opponent who will be confirmed by the end of this week. "We're going with it, definitely," said O'Kane. "It's going to be a world ranking fight with the IBF and I'm definitely in a position to put myself in there with a good shout."
O'Kane wants a shot at the winner of the Hassan N'Dam versus David Lemeiux world title fight - the pair were ordered to meet after Jermaine Taylor was stripped of the belt.
Felix Sturm and Billy Joe Saunders both turned down the chance to fight for the belt, so O'Kane could well get the next shot at the title if he wins in Lavey. "I want to show the fans the improvements I've made since I've been working with Paddy (Fitzpatrick)," he said. "I've been training with George Groves and I've been sparring and mixing it with him and I want to capitalise on that improvement.
"I want to fight a guy who is going to be ranked to push myself on - I'm number seven now with the IBF and it would be great to push myself into the number two slot. "I want to become world champion and I'll do whatever it takes."
Chief support at the 2,000-capacity Lavey arena is expected to be provided by unbeaten English crusierweight Luke Watkins (4-0) with an undercard featuring emerging local talent. "Lavey is some set-up," said O'Kane. "One of the reservations everybody had after Paul McCloskey's European title shot in Magherafelt was that the place was freezing, but it's going to be heated and there'll be entertaining fights."