Thursday 9 February 2017 18:28, UK
Rising contender Izu Ugonoh hopes victory over Dominic Breazeale will take him a step closer to a fight with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
The big-hitting 30-year-old will continue to climb the rankings if he defeats Breazeale on the undercard of Wilder's title defence against Gerald Washington on February 25, live on Sky Sports.
His American opponent suffered a seventh-round stoppage defeat to IBF champion Anthony Joshua last July, but Ugonoh insists he deserves respect for a battling performance.
"He did well, he came to fight, and I give him credit for that," Ugonoh told Sky Sports. "I think he's a good fighter generally.
"He was definitely too slow to be of any threat to Joshua, but he was tough and showed that he has guts and spirit."
The Polish-born fighter, who has Nigerian heritage, trains alongside current WBO champion Joseph Parker in Kevin Barry's Las Vegas gym.
Ugonoh has fresh motivation to win a world title himself after watching Parker defeat Andy Ruiz Jr on points to claim the WBO belt in December.
"We've been doing what we've been doing for a couple of years now," he said. "It's been like this from the start, training hard together, and going after our goals.
"Obviously Joe has got it, which is actually just the beginning of the journey. I still have a way to go, but it can happen faster than I imagine."
Wilder faces Washington at the top of the bill and Ugonoh has set his sights on the WBC title, which is currently held by 'The Bronze Bomber'.
"I would like any of the belts, but yes the green belt is something that I would really, really like," said Ugonoh, who has 14 knockouts in 17 victories.
"I'm taking one fight at a time, but genuinely I think the WBC is something that I would love to go for."
