Belfast welterweight Lewis Crocker is aiming to make himself "a superstar" as he returns to the ring to face Mexican Jose Felix on Saturday night at Ulster Hall.
Crocker [18-0, 10 KOs] earned an impressive points win over Tyrone McKenna at the SSE Arena last month.
That was a major boost to the 27-year-old, who is now relishing a maiden headline bout in his home city.
"The atmosphere was class that night," said Crocker. "Losing wasn't an option. It’s not in any fight but especially this fight. This was me all along, I just needed the big platform and I knew that I was going to put on a big performance.
"I’ve got the confidence now since my last performance that I feel like I’m here now. I think I’ve got everything there that I need to be a superstar. I can’t wait to fight now, in Belfast again too - class."
Crocker earned four wins from four fights in 2023 and is unbeaten since making his professional debut at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall back in 2017.
The powerful puncher is looking to build towards more title opportunities in the 147lbs division.
"I truly believe that I’ve not hit anywhere near where I’m going to be as a fighter," he said.
"Every man’s dream in boxing is to be a world champion, so that’s the goal and that’s the dream.
"There’s so many names at welterweight in the UK. It’s not like I’m calling anyone out but you go through the world class names, you’ve got Conor Benn and Josh Taylor; 147 is always a popular weight, it’s only a matter of time before all of the big names start to fight each other. Hopefully I’m in that mix."
Classy Limerick welterweight Paddy Donovan [above] is on the undercard and will look to start the year with a bang against Argentinian Williams Andres Herrera.
Donovan's last outing was on the Chantelle Cameron-Katie Taylor undercard at Dublin's 3Arena.
He further embellished his reputation with a ninth knockout victory from 12 fights in defeating England's Danny Ball for the WBA Continental Welterweight belt.
That moved the 24-year-old to 12-0-0 in four years as a pro with former world champion Andy Lee in the corner.
Belfast's Tommy McCarthy (20-5, 10 KOs) is taking on fast-rising cruiserweight contender Cheavon Clarke (7-0, 5 KOs), who will need to account for the former European champion as he aims to build towards world level, while Olympian featherweight Kurt Walker from Lisburn (9-0, 1 KO) has been added to the card.
