Birmingham star Matthew Macklin has vowed to win a world title in 2011.
The two-time European middleweight king defends his title on December 11 in Liverpool on Frank Warren’s huge 30th anniversary show.
Former world title challenger Ruben Varon will be in the opposite corner.
Macklin has vowed to KO the Spaniard – and then move on to bigger things.
“I’ve been at European level now for the 18 months or so,” said Macklin.
“I’m 28 now and it is time to start cashing in when I’m at my prime.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant but I believe I am good enough to compete with anyone in the world.
“There are some great fights to be made at middleweight, and I will take anyone as an opponent.
“Felix Sturm and Sebastian Sylvester would be great for me, but the one I would really love is Paul Williams.
“He’s the best in the world, but I love fighting tall southpaws.
“I’d give myself every chance against him.”
Macklin is currently comfortably inside the top 10 with each of the world governing bodies, and hopes to move up with a defeat of Varon.
“I’m definitely not looking beyond this fight, I know how important it is,” said The Knife.
“I want to impress against Varon, may be get into a mandatory position, and then fight for a world title in the next 12 months.
“When I was an amateur I was mentioned in the same breath as the likes of David Haye and Carl Froch.
“They have gone on to win world titles, and so will I.”
Tickets for the Return of the Magnificent Seven, priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from:
The Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 800 0400
www.echoarena.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com