Sam Eggington now lands British title shot
Stourbridge's Sam Eggington will next challenge for the British welterweight title in July after being matched with Glenn Foot for the now-vacant belt.
They will step through the ropes at the Manchester Arena on Saturday July 18, live on Sky Sports, to contest both of the major domestic titles,
After winning the Commonwealth crown relinquished by Frankie Gavin, Eggington now vies for the strap also given up by the world-title chasing Brummie.
It's a bout ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control, although it was only tagged as an eliminator to meet Gavin when originally called for in April.
Eggington claimed Commonwealth honours in style on Saturday night, by stoppage over out-on-his-feet Ghanaian Joseph Lamptey in the seventh round at Birmingham's Barclaycard Arena.
'The Savage' now goes for more glory and becomes a fighting champion, too, with his meeting against unbeaten and game Foot expected to provide fireworks.
Sunderland's Foot has racked up straight 16 pro victories and is known to Black Country fight fans from winning Prizefighter at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in 2013, where Eggington was involved.
The 27-year-old has surprisingly yet to box for a title, though, and is now plunging straight into his first 12-rounder confident he can unseat the growing-in-stature Eggington.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn reckons the Eggington-Foot bout could knock spectators and viewers dead, tweeting: "It's an absolute Fight of the Year contender."
A co-main event will see Anthony Crolla get his shot at the WBA world lightweight title, while Scott Quigg defends the organisation's super bantam crown for the fifth time.
The hometown heroes will take centre stage when Crolla tackles interim champion Darleys Perez, while Quigg takes on former IBF boss Kiko Martinez.
Tyrone Nurse also vies with Chris Jenkins for the vacant British light welter strap, with Olympic gold medallist and feared heavyweight Anthony Joshua also slated to appear.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 from www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIP passes costing £300 will be available at www.matchroomboxing.com.
