Date set for Chris Male v Joe Murray

Cradley's Chris Male has been handed a date of November 26 to meet Joe Murray in the ring for the English featherweight title.

Ricky Hatton's promotional company made the winning offer to stage the fight last month and the bout will take place on a Sky Sports-televised bill.

Olympian Murray, managed by the Hattons, is the hot favourite but Male is also undefeated and regarded as one of the most promising featherweights in the country.

The two were originally paired for the vacant belt by the British Boxing Board of Control and, after watching Male box on one of their bills, the Hattons will make the fight happen.

Male will almost certainly give up home advantage as well but, after 11 straight wins since turning pro in 2008, is confident of an upset.

He said: "This division is packed with good fighters because, in another time, this is the standard of a British title fight, if not more.

"I am not taking anything away from the English title, it's a honour to be fighting for it, but it could be higher and that's the quality of this division.

"Being the underdog and going into his backyard doesn't make any difference to me, Joe Murray is a person I have to go through.

"I am not bothered about none of the hype, about Ricky Hatton being behind him, I am going in there to do a job.

"And, if I box to the best of my ability, I will beat Joe Murray."

Before 'the Male Man' - the punching postman - goes in for the English crown, Stephen Smith will defend his British and Commonwealth titles against Lee Selby in two weeks time.

The winner of both contests will likely face each other in another domestic showdown and Male is determined his name will be in the mix.

He said: "I am not one for looking ahead, it's Murray on my mind, but if I do what I think I am going to do than Stephen Smith will be in my sights.

"I am not far off that level but it's going to take time, fighting someone like Murray is ideal preparation because Smith is a bit further down the line.

"I know the talent I have got, my goal when I turned pro was to become the British champion and I have no doubt I will do that."