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Lynes: Reigning European light-welterweight champion

He's been in with Cotto and Gatti, and that was when they were in their prime. Make no mistake you're going to get a good Branco here.

Colin Lynes
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Colin Lynes knows he faces an acid test of his world title credentials when he takes on Gianluca Branco, live on Sky Sports on Friday night.

The light-welterweight heads into the Italian's own backyard to defend his European title against an opponent who has fought at the highest level.

Although now 37, Branco has some impressive names on his record and has twice failed to become a world champion, losing on both occasions to modern greats of the sport.

Back in 2004 he lost a unanimous decision in Atlantic City to Arturo Gatti before then being stopped by Miguel Angel Cotto in Puerto Rico two years later.

Lynes is hoping a win over such an experienced rival will boost his own hopes for a shot at one of the major belts in the near future.

"It's the best name I've been in with so far," he told Sky Sports News.

"He's been in with Cotto and Gatti, and that was when they were in their prime. Make no mistake you're going to get a good Branco here."

Good form

At the age of 30 and with five straight wins under his belt, Lynes heads on the road confident of making a second successful defence of the strap he claimed by stopping Young Mutley last year.

Not even the prospect of a hostile crowd in Piemonte can put off the man from Hornchurch - who took former WBC champion Junior Witter the distance in 2005.

"As soon as you're in that tunnel walking to the ring, you could be anywhere in the world," Lynes added.

"It could be in Branco's back garden but i'm so focused that ring could be anywhere in the world."