Chris Keane roots for Shane McPhilbin

Walsall's Christopher Keane will be rooting for sparring partner Shane McPhilbin to bring the British title he covets back to the Midlands.

Keane has been helping McPhilbin, from Bulwell in Nottingham, prepare for his shot at champion Leon Williams at York Hall in London, live on BoxNation next Friday night.

After original challenger Tony Conquest pulled out over Christmas, McPhilbin has been called in to face Williams, who won the title from Stourbridge's Rob Norton last October.

Prior to that fight, Norton also enlisted the help of Keane, the 2009 ABA super heavyweight champion as an amateur and unbeaten in four fights since turning pro that year.

The 26-year-old watched at home as the belt changed hands, in his division of cruiserweight, and was left dreaming of the day he gets his shot.

Keane said: "Williams didn't win that fight, to be honest. I think Norton won 10 rounds to his two. I was shocked when they gave it to him.

"It took me about three spars to figure Norton out, he's a tricky opponent, he's got those long arms and the southpaw stance but I got there.

"McPhilbin is pretty straight forward, he comes at you and holds you up inside, he's a nice guy and I hope he wins but it all depends on the night.

"You can't really say anything about Williams because he couldn't show his true potential, as Norton makes it an awkward night for anyone.

"We will see more of him in this fight, it will go into the trenches and, hopefully, McPhilbin will win."

Keane's pro career continues to stall despite signing a three-year promotional deal with Frank Warren last June, having yet to box since.

A planned fight under the Warren banner in December fell through when the show was cancelled, leaving Keane kicking his heels in the gym.

He said: "It's given me a confidence boost to spar at that level and it's made me know what level I need to be at to beat those kind of people.

"Every spar, you come on, it doesn't matter who you box, you learn different things from different people.

"Everybody wants to be on the fast track, everybody wants the big fights and, hopefully, I will back in the running soon.

"I haven't been able to get out yet, shows have been cancelled but I am fit and I want to fight every four to six weeks, if I can.

"I need to prove myself all over again now, but I am keeping the faith."