WHILE many of the fighters preparing for their bouts on the Lights Out show will be hitting the mean streets of Swindon this month, Luke Watkins is jetting out to New York.

The 25-year-old is to head to the Big Apple shortly, joining Ferndale Road-based trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick and stable-mate Eamonn O’Kane as the Northern Irishman prepares for his clash with Tureano Johnson on October 17 at Madison Square Garden to become the IBF’s number one middleweight contender.

But while Watkins is excited about his time in the States, he is not going to get overawed about being at the Mecca of boxing or visiting the gyms like the legendary Gleason’s.

“I’m taking it as it comes. There is no point in getting ahead of myself, I just have to go there and do what I do,” Watkins told the Advertiser.

“It is going to be great and I can’t wait to get there. This is the first time that I have been over there.

“I have had no interest to go over there before but boxing is my calling and it is calling me over there.

“It is a great opportunity to help and be a part of getting Eamonn ready for his fight.”

For Watkins, 2015 has been a frustrating year. After making his debut in September 2014, the former New College student had hoped to be inside the top 10 of the British cruiserweights by now.

However, the Fitzpatrick-trained fighter has been blighted by injury and illness, which has restricted him to only one fight this year - he brutally dismantled Jeno Markhot in three rounds in February.

With three stoppage wins to his name from four contests, Watkins returns in a little more than three weeks' time at the Oasis Leisure Centre for his fifth fight.

“I didn’t realise how long it has been (since I last fought),” Watkins said. “I have been in the gym. It would have been different if I had been doing nothing and sat on the couch.

“I have been training with George (Groves), I have been training with Nathan (Cleverly), I have been training with Eamonn and I have been training with Garvey (Kelly).

“I have been sparring with Sam (Smith), Nathan, George - all of them.

“The only thing is that I don’t have another win on my record to say where I have been.”

Tickets for the Lights Out show are priced £35 unreserved or £60 VIP and are available for any of the fights on the bill. For more information visit www.kmpromotions.co.uk