Tony Hill could be just one win away from a long awaited British title shot.

The Southampton boxer will have only his second fight since stepping up from middleweight to the light heavyweight division at the 02 Guildhall Southampton on Saturday, November 16.

Should Hill come through that contest, he has a very real chance of a crack at the British title early next year. He is already ranked in the British top ten and with Basingstoke’s Dean Francis challenging Bob Ajisafe for the vacant title next month too, there is an air of optimism in the Hill camp that he may get a crack at the belt.

Hill’s trainer, Wayne Batten, said: “Every British boxer wants to win the British title.

“Tony has adapted really well to stepping up in weight. At this stage you have to say it looks like a great decision from everything I have seen in the gym.

“We do need to be wary that he has only had one fight at this weight so far, and that the one he has coming up at the Guildhall will only be his second.

“But he’s a very experienced boxer and has tasted big fights before, so we certainly wouldn’t be worried about fighting for the title very soon if the opportunity arises.

“There have been conversations about the possibility and, while you never know in boxing because politics and finances so often come into it, I am confident there is a good chance we could get Tony a British title fight early next year. We cannot afford to get carried away at the moment though.

“We have a fight next month at the Guildhall and there is little chance of a title fight next year if Tony loses.

“He’s worked really hard, he looks in great shape and really comfortable at the weight so we need to go out, get the win and hopefully put in an impressive performance.”

Hill will be chief support to King Davidson’s fight for the vacant WBO International light middleweight title he was stripped off just a few weeks ago, having failed to defended it in over a year.

The packed bill is also slated to include the likes of Joe Pigford, Alex Dilmaghani, Shane Watson, Tommy Watson, Jake Gosling and Rich O’Connor.

Tickets are available from the Guildhall box office on 023 8063 2601 or via their website.