TRAINER Paddy Fitzpatrick believes it won’t be long until Luke Watkins elevates himself into the mix for the British cruiserweight title.

‘The Duke’ Watkins, goes looking to extend his unbeaten record to 10-0 when he fights an as yet unconfirmed opponent at London’s famous York Hall on Saturday, September 17 but Fitzpatrick is formulating ambitious plans for the future.

The 26-year-old is seventh in the current British rankings and contests that will push Watkins towards challenging for the coveted Lonsdale strap are what his trainer is craving, providing he passes this month’s test with flying colours.

“He’s ranked seventh in Britain now. By May next year, I’ll be looking to put him in positions for the British title,” said Fitzpatrick.

“That’s totally conceivable because guys that are ranked above him; one of them is world champion – Tony Bellew – so he’s out of the picture.

“Ovill McKenzie, who is the British champion, is fighting Marco Huck (on September 24), so I’m not too sure if he’s going to vacate and Tommy McCarthy is fighting a final eliminator against Matt Askin.

“Craig Kennedy was supposed to be fighting Ovill McKenzie for the title but now he could quite possibly be fighting somebody else.

“Four of the men above him will be fighting each other, so it’s really starting to clear the path. We’ll be looking to take a path to a British title eliminator very soon.

“It’s exciting times for him. I said to him ‘everything gets harder from here on in’ but he relishes it.”

Watkins will have the chance to further enhance his burgeoning reputation with his third fight at the country’s most iconic boxing venue but his stablemate Sam Smith won’t be in action in Bethnal Green after exacerbating a thumb injury.

The 23-year-old light heavyweight injured his right thumb in the third round of his win over David Sipos at York Hall on July 16 but the problem flared up again during sparring last week, ruling ‘Sniper’ Smith (3-0) out of his scheduled September 17 outing.

Fitzpatrick’s man is set to headline a bill co-promoted by Neilson Boxing and Eamonn O’Kane’s King Kane Promotions at the Oasis Leisure Centre on November 26.

Smith’s trainer said: “This is his first year as a pro.

“He had to pull out of fight previously with an injury and now, this is the next one he’s had to pull out of but his main event here on November 26 – that will now be his fourth pro fight and he now knows that it’s important to be fully prepared for that.”