SUCCESS is only eight rounds away for Bentham's boxing hero as he prepares for his first shot at a title.

Tomi Tatham, 26, will fight for the Challenge International Title Belt in Manchester on Saturday, March 19, and he is over the moon now he has been given a shot to break into the big time.

"I'm really pleased," said Tatham.

"I work hard and dedicate myself to my training and it's nice to finally get the opportunity to win a title."

Although his opponent has not yet been announced, that does not matter to Tatham, who is brimming with confidence.

"I want to go in there and do a number on him," he said.

"If he comes forward and throws shots then anyone who has done that in the past has got knocked out so if he leaves himself open I'm hoping my natural strength will play a big part.

"Every fight I go into I believe I will win. Doubt is the enemy. I believe he's not as strong as me and he's not training like I'm training."

The biggest issue for Tatham ahead of his next bout will be making the weight.

He walks around naturally at 14st 4lb and will have to lose nearly two stone to meet the 12st 7lb restriction, but he is putting in the hard-yards in the gym.

He said: "It's hard training more and eating less and sometimes it's difficult to motivate yourself to go on that jog but I do it because it's for a bigger purpose.

"I'm training six days a week and I'm lucky to get Sundays off! I've been doing 10 rounds back-to-back without a break."

But Tatham already has his eyes on the future, and the opportunities that a title victory could bring.

"I want to get through this unscathed, put on a showcase of what I'm capable of and get bigger fights like an English Title bout.

"I promise you that even after this fight I'll be staying ready - I'll be ready when that call comes."