Matthew Macklin eyes world title clash with Andy Lee or Danny Jacobs

Matthew Macklin is targeting a stylish win to boost his world title ambitions when he returns to Birmingham on Saturday for his first fight in the second city in five years.

Macklin returns to action after a late stoppage defeat against Jorge Sebastian Heiland in Dublin last November to take on 22-year-old Hungarian Ferenc Albert.

And the 32-year-old insists he still has plenty to offer at the top level as he targets a world title fight against Irish rival Andy Lee or WBA champion Danny Jacobs.

“I’d love to fight Andy Lee or Danny Jacobs for the world title,” he said. “Jacobs defended his world title last week and he is a name I have been linked with before so we’d jump at that.

“Andy and I fighting for a world title in Dublin or Birmingham would be massive. Obviously he’s out injured at the moment so I need to get back in there and get winning to be in line for a huge fight with him.

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“I probably have to travel to fight Jacobs, but if I can go and win it and become world champion then I am in the driving seat and can bring the fights to Birmingham or to Dublin but initially I would probably have to go to the States.

“It is great to be out in Birmingham. I haven’t boxed in England, never mind Birmingham, since 2010, so it has been a long time and I am looking forward to it. It is great that there is a big show coming to Birmingham and I am excited to be a part of it.

“It is must-win on Saturday. I cannot afford to lose at this stage of my career and coming off the last loss. It is an eight-rounder but it is potentially the fight before a big, big fight. There is a lot at stake.”

Macklin’s clash with Albert is part of an action-packed night of boxing in Birmingham this weekend. Olympic Gold medallist Anthony Joshua faces South American champion Rafael Zumbano Love and Stourbridge youngster Sam Eggington fights Joseph Lamptey for the vacant Commonwealth Welterweight title vacated by Frankie Gavin.

Joshua’s fellow Olympic Gold medal winner Luke Campbell is also on the bill, brothers Kal and Gamal Yafai also feature, while Liverpool super-middleweight Callum Smith makes a welcome return to action.

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