Ryan Aston targets fast track to the major titles

Dudley's Ryan Aston believe he can be fast-tracked to major domestic titles in the light middleweight division this year.more'Tank' will get his 2015 up and running with a fight on Valentine's Day night with Simone Lucas likely to be in the other corner, writes Craig Birch.

Aston is primed for four rounds at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in front of the BoxNation cameras, as he looks to continue his rebirth a division down at light middleweight.

The 23-year-old wants a shot at the English title currently held by Navid Mansouri, who has already pulled out of one British title shot through injury.

The slick southpaw remains in the top 10 of the British rankings, with Liam Smith in possession of the Lonsdale belt but running out of challengers.

Aston said: "Everything is going to plan and sounding good and I am not far off contention of mixing it with anyone. Things can happen quickly.

"I have wanted the English title for a while, so Navid Masouri needs to make a choice. Either vacate or defend the belt again. It's a waiting game for me."

A damaging two-round loss for the Midlands middleweight crown to Curtis Valentine in 2012 remains the only blot on Aston's copybook.

He's gone eight contests without defeat from there and lifted the British Masters belt at light middle.

He still trains at the Priory Park Boxing Club he's been a part of since he started boxing at age nine and feels like he's as hungry as ever.

He said: "I love the sport so I am always going to be in and around boxing but, along the way, I have had to reassess my goals and where I was.

"I have told people time and again that boxing is like your wife - you can fall out with it and hate it, but you will always love it and come back to it.

"I had to get back in touch with myself and, when I did, it made me know I have the ability to get to where I want to be, slowly but surely.

"Persistence, hard work and dedication has made me believe my time will come. I have picked the pieces up and become stronger for it."

For more information and tickets to the show, call the Civic box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.