Luke Paddock is thinking outside of the box
Bloxwich's Luke Paddock is confident his skills will match up to English title rival Anthony Upton when they clash for the vacant belt next month.
The British Boxing Board of Control this week approved a request for the two to contest the national super lightweight crown,
Champion Joe Hughes has been stripped of the belt, in the wake of losing for WBO Inter-Continental honours to Jack Catterall last month.
Hughes outpointed Upton to win the strap last December at Walsall Town Hall, with his clash against Paddock to come at the Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock.
Upton's coach and ring legend Ricky Hatton will co-promote the Sunday afternoon show, titled 'Danger Zone,' on Sunday July 24 with Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing.
It's a second chance for Londoner Upton, with that the only blemish on his record in pro 13 bouts, and a step up for Paddock, who has also lost only once over 15 contests.
A hotly-disputed area title loss to old rival Andy Keates was the last time Paddock went 10 rounds, the same distance which awaits him here.
'Cool Hand' will be calling on his boxing with just one stoppage on his record, but Upton's TKO count of four suggests a battle of the stylists could be in store.
Paddock said: "There's been talks about this fight, for a while, but I took it with a pinch of salt. Now it's signed and sealed, I can crack on.
"I'm not bothered who it's against, I'd have took the chance anyway. Anybody you get for an English title is going to be a tough, hard opponent.
"This is my first real step up and it's my time to shine. I'll really knuckle down to training because, if I'm really fit, I'll cause anyone problems.
"People tell me he's a nice, stylish boxer who can switch hit, but I'm confident I can outbox anyone at this level.
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"We'll find a game-plan we believe will work and try to put that into action, even if we've got Ricky Hatton in the other camp!
"Ricky was one of my teenage idols and it's put the fear of god into me thinking about what he's telling his man. That will make prepare harder."
The winner will be ordered to make Hughes' their first defence, with Paddock offered that fight at two weeks notice before Upton last year.
The 24-year-old was still unbeaten, at the time, and took advice from his camp, but admits coming up against the Wiltshire man might be inevitable.
Paddock said: "I'd have took Hughes last time, but I listened to what my coach (Paul Gough) was telling me and ended up defending against Keates.
"It was the right thing to do, as Hughes is still on my radar. I'd never look past Upton or him but, if I can beat them both, I'm looking at a British title shot.
"I'm a realist, so that would be like a world title fight for me. Doors can really open for me from here, but I've got to do the business."
Tickets are on sale now, priced at £30 standard and £60 ringside. For more information and to buy, call 01543 504 065.
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