Friday 10 February 2017 18:01, UK
Sam Eggington is convinced that victory in his forthcoming clash with Paulie Malignaggi will be his ticket to the big time.
Eggington defends his WBC International welterweight belt against Malignaggi at the The O2 on the undercard of David Haye's heavyweight clash Tony Bellew, live on Sky Sports Box Office on March 4.
The Stourbridge fighter won the title after stopping local rival Frankie Gavin in eight thrilling rounds in Birmingham last October. The win saw him enter the WBC's top 15 and put him in the mandatory position to challenge for the European title collected by Spaniard Ceferino Rodriguez two months later.
Malignaggi is looking to halt Eggington's rise and is no stranger to success at the O2 having landed the EU title at the Greenwich venue in December 2015.
But Eggington is determined to add a victory over the 'Magic Man' to his CV, and says doing so would make people stand up and take notice of his growing presence in the 147lbs division.
"I've taken every chance that's been put in front of me with both hands and this is no different," he said.
"Paulie brings so much to the table - he's got pedigree, he brings a US TV audience and that means that my profile can go through the roof with a win.
"I want to make as much money for my family from the sport as possible, nothing has changed from that being the aim when I was just looking to be a journeyman.
"But I do have my goals in the sport, I'm mandatory for the European title and if I can win that, the sky is the limit. Everyone knows I'll take any fight with both hands and as European champion, those fights would be big, big fights.
"Success breeds success in big cities, we're all doing well. The Yafai brothers in general are doing massive things and I'm putting in as much work as possible in to succeed. I'd love to follow Kal's example and bring big shows to the city. I'm learning all the time and as long as I keep winning I believe I am capable of doing that."
Eggington's clash with Malignaggi is part of packed bill at The O2 topped by the blockbuster heavyweight grudge match between Haye and Bellew. There is more rivalry between London and Liverpool as Hackney's Ohara Davies defends his WBC Silver lightweight title against Merseyside favourite Derry Mathews, while Irish amateur star Katie Taylor contests her third professional fight.
Watch Sam Eggington vs Paulie Malignaggi on the undercard of David Haye's heavyweight fight with Tony Bellew, live on Sky Sports Box Office on March 4.
