Avoided Trowbridge middleweight Nick Blackwell believes it will be a case of third time lucky when he gets the chance to fight for the British middleweight title this summer.

The talented 24-year-old came up short in his previous two title attempts, but is now much improved and ready to defeat Londoner John Ryder, with whom the British Boxing Board of Control have paired Blackwell for the vacant title.

“The fight’s been made, so it should happen,” Blackwell told the Wiltshire Times. “I think that he’ll want the fight too.”

“I will beat John Ryder – 100 per cent. People might look at him as the favourite because of his record, but I think he’s quite a basic southpaw. He’s weak and he doesn’t seem to believe in himself. But I know that I need to win this fight because if I don’t, it’ll be ‘where do I go from here?’

“I just want a date now, so that I can focus my head. I’m feeling really fit and confident and I can’t wait for this fight.

“If Hennessy win the purse bid, it would be great to have home advantage, but if Matchroom win it, I could end up fighting on Sky Sports and winning as the away fighter would help get my name out there.”

Purse bids for the Blackwell-Ryder fight have been called for April 8 and it remains to be seen where the fight will land. Blackwell’s trainer Mark Kent believes a showpiece British title showdown hosted at Trowbridge’s town park could be a possibility.

“We need to see what happens with the purse bids but, if Hennessy win it, we could look to try and get the fight in Trowbridge,” said Kent.

“There have been a few discussions about having it at the town park in a big top. It’s an option that could happen.”