Dillian Whyte will look to boost his hopes of challenging for a world title when he takes on Australia's Lucas Browne in a heavyweight grudge match on March 24.
Whyte defends his nominal WBC silver heavyweight title at London's O2 Arena but a standout performance could put him in the shop window to challenge for world honours.
WBC title holder Deontay Wilder and old rival Anthony Joshua, the IBF and WBA champion, are the obvious targets, but Whyte is not underestimating his Australian foe with whom he has traded online barbs.
The 29-year-old Briton, who will be putting his No.1 ranking with the WBC on the line, said: "I can't wait, I hate Lucas Browne and I want to hurt him. He's said some nasty things and he's going to have to pay for them.
"I'm not overlooking Browne, I'm focused on going to town on him. If I don't knock him out, I will not be happy. The plan is to beat Browne and move closer to a world title shot.
"Beating him should make me a mandatory challenger for a world title - I'm highly ranked across the board, I'll be a more than credible world title challenger. I've been building my way up so we're set for a big year."
Both Whyte and Browne have served suspensions for doping offences in the past, the latter stripped of his WBA title after he tested positive for a banned substance in his victory over Ruslan Chagaev in March 2016.
The 38-year-old was most recently in action last June as he stopped the unheralded Matthew Greer and spoke dismissively of Whyte as he aims to bolster his own world title ambitions.
Browne (25-0, 22KOs) said: "I don't like anything about him. He's a loud mouth and I want to take his head off. I know if I stop Whyte impressively I'll be getting another world title shot."
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