Terry Flanagan takes on Jose Zepeda for WBO world lightweight title

Terry Flanagan is aiming to become the first Englishman to win a world lightweight title when he takes on Jose Zepeda for the vacant WBO crown in Manchester's Velodrome on July 11.

Wales' Freddie Welsh and Scots Ken Buchanan, Jim Watt and Ricky Burns have all laid their hands on world honours in the division but Flanagan can become the first Englishman to do so following Kevin Mitchell's agonising third world title defeat last month.

"I can’t wait for July 11 and for my chance to win the world title," said Mancunian Flanagan, who will be contesting the title vacated by Terence Crawford. "The pressure is on, but I’m channelling it in a positive way and using it to fire me up for the fight against Zepeda.

"My dream chance is on my doorstep at home and I can feel the pressure knowing that thousands of my fans are going to be packed into the Velodrome looking to see me beat Zepeda.

"It’s fantastic that I could be the first Englishman to win the title in British boxing history and my name will go down in the record books alongside Walsh, Buchanan and Watt - but the most important thing I’m thinking about is winning the world title.

"There’s no way at all I’m underestimating Zepeda and I’d be a fool to do that. He’s seriously dangerous and has wreaked havoc knocking people out left, right and centre, all within three rounds.

"He’s got to be very confident and fancy his chances to come over here and fight me. Mitchell put on a very brave performance against a class world champion so I know what I’ve got to do to beat Zepeda."

Both Flanagan (27-0) and Zepeda (23-0) are unbeaten but the latter holds a far superior knockout record having been taken the distance just three times in his professional career.

Also on the bill is world-rated Norfolk super-featherweight Liam Walsh, who defends his British and Commonwealth titles against Troy James.

Rated fourth in the world by the WBO and hoping to get his world title shot at their champion Roman Martinez, Walsh said: "I watched Martinez versus (Orlando) Salido and I was impressed with both guys, but I really believe that I could beat either one of them if I had the chance and I’d love to prove it. 

"Martinez holds the WBO crown and I’d love the shot at him, he’s already been beaten by Burns, but I reckon I could do a great job on him. Salido is the more attractive name as he holds the win over Vasyl Lomachenko and I think it would be a right war between us."