LUKE Watkins is looking to earn and cement a place in the top 10 of the British cruiserweight scene in 2015.

The rising Swindon star will enter the ring on Friday February 13 as the chief support in the ‘World Awaits’ show at the Oasis Leisure Centre.

And while his Paddy Fitzpatrick-trained stablemate Eamonn O’Kane tops the bill against Frankie Borg, the 25-year-old knows that he is luckier than most.

“I am more fortunate than some. I can only thanks the gods up top for the blessing they gave me,” said Watkins, who will face Hungarian Jeno Markhot over eight rounds on ther night.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities that I have been given – life is too short and I’m going to grab them with both hands.”

Watkins is already ranked by BoxRec as 22nd in the UK after just three fights and the former New College student is looking to continue his rise with scheduled fights in March and April.

“I would like to be, at the end of the year, in the top 10,” he said. “I want to be up in the domestic scene. I want to be in and around that mix.

“Once I get there, let’s stay there. Let’s learn at domestic level - the depth of cruiserweight isn’t too deep.

“You can get there quite quick but just because you get there quick, it doesn’t mean that you have to rush beyond it.

“Let’s get there and then take our time. We haven’t sprinted to get where we are, we are going to arrive there and then spend some time there.”

Also on the bill with Watkins and O’Kane is Penhill’s Kelvin Young, Swindon-based light-heavyweight Tariq Quaddus, former Walcot teammates Ryan Martin and Danny Bharj as well as Watkins’ stablemate Garvey Kelly.