Bernard Dunne has told Michael Hunter that he can't call himself the best super-bantamweight in Europe until he faces the undefeated Irish boxer.
The Dublin pugilist added that he would have no problem meeting Hunter in his hometown of Hartlepool if he has too.
The prospect of a Dunne versus Hunter clash edged a step closer last weekend after Hunter successfully defended his European title against Tuncay Kaya in Blackpool.
The 28-year-old wore down Kaya before dropping the French fighter in the ninth round with a powerful left to the ribs.
The win was Hunter's third successful defence of his European title and he is now eying up a world title shot.
But Dunne's manager Brian Peters plans to travel to England in the next few weeks for talks with Hunter with a view to lining up the Englishman for a Dublin showdown with Dunne later in the year.
'I have made no secret of my desire to challenge Michael Hunter for his European title and hopefully the fight will go ahead sometime this year,' Dunne admitted.
'Hunter can't realistically call himself the best super-bantamweight in Europe until he beats me. That claim just can't be justified.
'Obviously if the fight goes ahead I would like to hold it in Dublin. But I would step into a ring anywhere with Hunter, even in his home town of Hartlepool.'
It is understood that if the bout takes place in the capital, the Point Theatre rather than the lower-capacity National Stadium is the likely venue.
The Englishman boasts a record of 26 wins (12 KO's), while Dunne has chalked up 21 professional wins (13 KO's).
