LUKE Watkins is relishing seeing another packed out Oasis Leisure Centre in 10 days time.

The 25-year-old cruiserweight is chief support to stablemate Eamonn O’Kane on the World Awaits bill on Friday, February 13.

Watkins, who has made a perfect start to his professional career and stopped two of his three opponents, last fought in his hometown on November 1 when he knocked out Istvan Kun.

And while the rising prospect, who faces Hungarian Jeno Markhot over eight rounds, has boxed at Wembley Arena and on the undercard of a world title fight in Germany, it is Swindon where he feels the most love.

“Swindon really turned up on November 1, they really turned it up, it was great and I can’t wait for February 13, it is going to be amazing,” Watkins said.

“The way Swindon get behind their boxers is like no-one else.

“It is big enough where you can get a lot of people to get behind you, but we are small enough that we all know each other.

“It is good for the town; we all stick together and that is good for boxing.”

The Paddy Fitzpatrick-trained fighter is already ranked inside the top 25 in the country in the 200lb division and while the aim is to get him towards the top of the domestic tree this year, the Duke doesn’t want to look too far ahead.

“When you start out in boxing, your first 12 months are kind of here there and everywhere,” he said. “You don’t have a set routine, you don’t plan too far in advance, we only look at maybe one, two, three at a maximum, potential fights and that is only pencilled in – this year is looking good.”

Watkins says training with the likes of super-middleweight star George Groves, who also manages the Duke, and middleweight contender O’Kane, who headlines at the Oasis a week on Friday, is helping him improve.

“Having someone like Eamonn in the gym is magnificent,” the former New College student said.

“He is at world level, I apply myself how he applies himself, I see what he does and I try to replicate that.

“I have said that about George (Groves) before, I see what they do and I try to replicate that.

“I’m almost following their footsteps but at the same time I know I need to create my own path.”