Josh Warrington is to face Dennis Ceylan of Denmark in an IBF world featherweight title final eliminator in Leeds on October 21.
The two will meet at the First Direct Arena with a clash against Lee Selby the prize on offer if Warrington completes the 26th victory of his unblemished career in his home town.
Welshman Selby reportedly declined a substantial offer from promoter Frank Warren to defend his crown against the current WBC international belt holder, who now has to go down the mandatory route to ge his chance.
"This is a proper fight and one that I am massively up for,” said Warrington (25-0, 5KOs), who defeated world-title challenger Kiko Martinez last time out in May.
"Ceylan is an undefeated former European Champion but that doesn’t matter to me. The way I see it is that he’s the one I have to beat to make myself the mandatory challenger.
"This won’t be an easy fight but there are no easy fights at this level and with so much a stake.
"With Selby not taking a fight with me, it’s left me annoyed and even more hungry to produce a massive performance on October 21.
"You’re going to see the best ever version of Josh Warrington against Ceylan. Like I keep saying, the fight with Selby is the one I have always wanted, let’s see if he is still the champion when I’m the mandatory challenger."
Former European champion Ceylan (18-0-2, 8KOs) will be fighting for the first time on British soil as a professional, but the 28-year-old is no stranger to fighting British boxers having previously shared the ring with undefeated former Commonwealth champion Isaac Lowe and British champion Ryan Walsh.
"Josh Warrington is a good technical fighter,” said Ceylan. "I look forward to testing my skills against him. He is a top-level opponent and I know I will have to be at my best to beat him.
"My dream has always been to fight for a world title, and now, I’m only one fight away, and that gives me all the motivation I need to beat this guy.
"I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I wasn’t confident of winning. After I beat Josh, I’ll be ready for Lee Selby. I’m training hard and I will be at my best on October 21.’"
Chief support sees Huddersfield’s British super-lightweight champion Tyrone Nurse (35-2-2, 7KOs) make a highly-anticipated defence of his crown against undefeated Chorley star Jack Catterall (18-0, 10 KOs).
Rising Manchester super-featherweight star Zelfa Barrett (18-0, 11KOs) has a chance to win his first professional title when he takes on Chris Conwell (9-2, 2 KOs) for the vacant English strap.
Undefeated Liverpool super-welterweight talent J.J Metcalf (16-0, 8KOs) takes on Leeds native Damon Jones (15-1, 3KOs) in an official eliminator for the British title currently held by Warren stablemate Liam Williams.
An action-packed undercard also features former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and GB squad standout Sam Maxwell (super-lightweight); Bradford welterweight Darren Tetley; Doncaster featherweight Reece Mould; Leeds flyweight Jack Bateson and the professional debut of Leeds fighter Jack Daniels.
*** Tickets for Warrington vs. Ceylan priced at £40 (Upper Tier), £50 (Lower Tier), £70 (Floor), £100 (Floor), £150 (Foor) and £250 (VIP/Hospitality) are now available from the First Direct Arena at www.firstdirectarena.com or by calling 0844 2481585.
