LUKE Watkins will step up to eight rounds for the first time in his professional career on Friday, February 13.

The Swindon cruiserweight makes his first outing of the year at the Swindon Oasis Leisure Centre where he will be looking to make it four wins out of four.

The event, promoted by Keith Mayo’s KM Promotions, in association with Paddy Fitzpatrick, will see current IBF inter-continental middleweight champion Eamonn O’Kane face an as-yet unnamed opponent in a 10-round main event.

Fitzpatrick, who will also have Swindon welterweight Garvey Kelly making his third outing of his fledgling pro career, is looking forward to seeing his trio in action.

“It is going to be a great show,” he said. “We are looking at moving Eamonn towards an IBF world title shot.

“This is our first fight together and he is ranked eighth with the IBF, we have let them know that we are planning to defend his inter-continental title in April in Ireland.”

Watkins, who has stopped two of his three opponents to date, will once again step up in class.

The Fitzpatrick-trained 25-year-old will be chief support to O’Kane as he works his way up the British rankings.

“Duke will be fighting someone with a winning record – I want him and Garvey in fights that they can take something from,” Fitzpatrick added.

“Garvey, who is in just his third fight, will face someone with a winning record too.

“We want to put on a cracking show and that is why I need them fighting guys with winning records.”

Also on the show will be Kelvin Young as he makes his return to the ring following his shock defeat to Kiril Psonko, with a new trainer after parting company with Richard Farnan.

However, Farnan will have new British Masters Bronze light-heavyweight champion Tariq Quaddus in action.

Former Walcot and England amateur Ryan Martin is set to make his third outing of a professional career that has been plagued by hand problems, while his old Walcot teammate Danny Bharj is finally to set make his debut in the paid ranks after signing forms with Mayo.