Linus Udofia is hoping to fight for the English middleweight title in November and his chance to bring another national strap back to Luton after Kay Prosper made history last week.
The 26-year-old returns to the ring tonight on the undercard of Ultimate Boxer tournament, just a week after Special K became the first ever Lutonian to be crowned an English champion.
Udofia last fought in March at York Hall in Bethnal Green where he knocked out Darren Codona – the seventh KO of his professional career – to take his unblemished record to 13-0-0.
And after tonight’s outing, the former Hockwell Ring ABC amateur wants his 15th fight to be his long-awaited title shot, with Bolton fighter Jack Cullen the current champion, though he is scheduled to battle Felix Cash for the Commonwealth crown on November 2.
“The purse bids are coming through and it should be contested for some time in November,” Udofia told The Lutonian.
“I think the goal is to fight now and that’s build up for November. I’ve already got the rounds in. I can do them because I fight eight and ten rounders fine, I just need to get in (the ring).
“I’m itching. I just want to get back in. Getting back into the gym, it all feels new again and it feels really good, so I’m just happy to be back in and on a platform like BT Sports on the Ultimate Boxer undercard. It’s unreal and I can’t really wait.”
Udofia fought six times in 2018, including twice in 21 days in December, so he says his longer lay-off has been a calculated rest.
“Last year was really difficult,” said the Terry Steward-trained puncher, adding: “I was fighting every other month and it took a toll on my body.
“As the rounds went up and the fights got more important, it really took its toll on me, so I decided to get the eliminator (against Codona) out of the way and then when we got an option of when we want to fight for the actual title, is when we were going to get back in.
“So, I really took advantage of the time off and really relaxed this summer.”
Tonight, the Lutonian takes to the ring for a short four-rounder at The Indigo in London’s O2, on the same card as the televised super welterweight eliminator tournament.
His opponent is still to be announced, but Udofia said: “It never really bothers me. He’s just another human being.
“It’s the same thing with the title fight. I don’t care who I’m up against. He can be all this and all that, but he hasn’t met me, so it doesn’t really matter. He hasn’t fought me yet, so I’m not really fussed. I will show up and do my thing.”
A victory would mark a good seven days for Luton boxing after Udofia’s Goodwin Boxing stable-mate Prosper beat Sam O’Maison on points at the second time of asking, to take the super lightweight belt. The former Hockwell Ring amateur had controversially lost on the judges’ scorecards in March but this time won an unanimous decision in a fight that also served as a British title fight eliminator.
“It was really, really good for him,” Udofia said, adding: “His time was coming and he fell short in the Southern Area (title against Rakeem Noble in 2016) and obviously fell short for the English, first time, getting a draw. He’s finally done it now.
“He’s the first person to bring back an English (title) to Luton as well, so you’ve got to take your hat off to him at the age of 35. Bigger and better things are coming up for Kay, so I’m really, really happy that he’s done that.”
Asked if he expects to bring another English title back to Luton, Udofia said: “Exactly that. That’ll be perfect.”
