Lennox Clarke gets ready for his big break
Halesowen's Lennox Clarke wants a smashing night when he boxes on the box for the first time in Birmingham next week.
He competes at the Barclaycard Arena in front of the Sky Sports cameras just three years after first stepping into the ring,
Clarke has racked up seven victories and claimed the British Masters Bronze super middleweight belt inside 17 months, after the same number of bouts on the unlicensed circuit.
The emerging 23-year-old banger is now looking to make his mark on Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, with the experienced Alistair Warren in the other corner over six rounds.
Warren has challenged for the WBC world youth title and twice for the Central crown, so will bring ring guile that could test even a big puncher on next Saturday's fight night.
But Clarke is determined to shine having recorded one of the fastest knockouts in British boxing history last year, taking just 14 seconds to clobber Raimonds Sneidze.
He said: "I haven't been around for long, so I still feel like no one really knows about me. This is the opportunity to show people what I can do.
"I have that raw power but I proved when I won my title that I can box, too, so I want to use my skills and speed along with the crack.
"I have trained well and for the distance but, make no mistake, if the chance comes I will take him out. The stoppage would be a great result.
"I want to stamp my name up and down the country this year and there's no better way to do that than by knocking people out."
It's a huge occasion for Clarke as he boxes on the same bill as the likes of Anthony Joshua, Matthew Macklin and Brian Rose.
Matchroom-signed Sam Eggington, from Stourbridge, will challenge for the Commonwealth welterweight crown against Joseph Lamptey.
Bloxwich's Daniel Breeze got the nod to feature from Jon Pegg's gym in Birmingham, while Black Country trainer Errol Johnson took another spot.
Clarke was picked from the prospects in his camp and is determined to take the opportunity, which is worlds away from where he started out.
He said: "I kept on at Errol to get me a fight on television and, when he got a space, he showed confidence in me and I want to repay that.
"I have never boxed in front of cameras before and in such a big arena, but I have had milestones like that all through my career so far.
"I didn't think I would be where I am today three years ago, so I am not worried about what's ahead. I am excited about the future I could have.
"As long as I keep my side of the bargain, I can do what people are saying I am capable of. Whatever happens on the night, I will get the win.
"Then I am coming after the Midlands title. I can drop down to middleweight, if that's where the chance comes. Big things are ahead for me."
Tickets are on sale priced at £40, £60 and £100 from www.barclaycardarena.co.uk. VIP passes costing £150 have been made exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com.
