RYAN Martin will be able to gauge how far he has come in his professional career when he spars with Tamuka Mucha this week, according to his trainer Richard Farnan.

The unbeaten welterweight will spend two nights sparring with undefeated Southern Area champion Mucha as he prepares for his next fight in March.

Although former Walcot and England amateur Martin has sparred with IBF featherweight world champion Lee Selby and English super-lightweight champion Joe Hughes, it will be the time spent in the ring the with Zimbabwean-born fighter which will give him the greatest indicator.

“We did think about whether we should be sparring Tamuka because he is potentially a future opponent,” said Farnan.

“But it will be good to see them in the ring together.

“Ryan has sparred Lee Selby and Joe Hughes, but this will be a good indicator and interesting to see.”

Martin, who has won all six of his professional contests to date, will be fighting on the undercard of Eamonn O’Kane’s IBF inter-continental middleweight title defence at the Oasis Leisure Centre on March 12.

The 21-year-old, who in his last bout defeated Faheem Khan to claim the British Challenge title, is believed to be closing in on a shot at the Southern Area belt.

The reigning champion will be looking to defend the title he won last May at the end of February with the future unclear for the 22-year-old.

“Tamuka is unsure what he is going to do after February 27,” Farnan said. “Ryan is in the mix to fight for the Southern Area.

“Whether that will be against Tamuka or for a vacant title, we don’t know.

“We are back in the gym and working hard towards March and this week’s sparring will be interesting.”