Wednesday 15 March 2017 21:33, UK
Kal Yafai will make the first defence of his world title in his Birmingham backyard with one eye already on taking on pound-for-pound star Roman Gonzalez.
Yafai puts his WBA 'world' super-flyweight title on the line against Suguru Muranaka at the Barclaycard Centre, on May 13, live on Sky Sports.
The bill will also include Birmingham stars Sam Eggington, Frankie Gavin and younger brother Gamal Yafai, but Britain's latest world champion has made it clear his ultimate goal is a showdown with Gonzalez (46-0-KO38) , the unbeaten WBC super-flyweight holder, who carries an 83 per cent knockout ratio.
"That's the man you want to go after," he told Sky Sports.
"All the welterweights were going after Floyd Mayweather because that's what you want to do, take on the best.
"I want to win the fight on May 13, defend my world title and I don't know what's ahead for me - and how many defences I will have - but it is all about building towards getting a showdown with the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet."
Never mind being Birmingham's best, I do think I am one of the country's most gifted fighters
Yafai's first world title challenger, Muranaka (25-2-1-KO8), is yet to box outside Japan and although he has two defeats to his name, the 31-year-old has not been beaten since 2006.
The Tokyo-based fighter hasn't gone the full 12 championship rounds but the latest WBA champion is expecting a tough fight and the perfect chance to prove he is building towards Gonzalez - and show he is already one of Britain's best boxers.
"This is all about my homecoming," said Yafai.
"Don't get me wrong Muranaka is tough and game but it is going to take something massive to even make a dent in me. I can't wait for that first defence.
"It is great to have by brother Gamal, Sam Eggington, Frankie Gavin and more on the bill because this will be the biggest night since Matchroom brought it back to Birmingham.
"Don't get me wrong, Eggington against Gavin did well, but this will be a sell-out. I am happy being Birmingham's number one and you'll see that against Muranaka.
"Never mind being Birmingham's best, I do think I am one of the country's most gifted fighters."
Eggington (20-3-KO12), who stopped Paulie Malignaggi in the eighth round on the undercard of Haye v Bellew, will be looking to add the European welterweight title to his growing resume as he takes on Spain's Ceferino Rodriguez (24-1-KO12).
Gamal Yafai will finally take on British super-bantamweight rival Sean Davis after their first fight on October 12 was called off after he suffered ankle ligament damage in a freak gym accident.
The same night saw Eggington stop local rival Gavin, who returns to the ring to take on tough and experienced Dave Ryan, with local prospects Ryan Kelly, Lennox Clarke, Jordan Clayton and Leon Gower, also on the undercard.
