Southern Area champion Elliott Matthews says he's ready to put his British title ambitions to the test ahead of a potential fight with Islington southpaw John Ryder.

The middleweight fighter returns to the Camden Centre on Saturday, July 19 and will look to extend his unbeaten record to 13 bouts.

Ryder is also on the bill and a fight between Matthews and the 25-year-old could take place in the coming months.

Ryder ran Billy-Joe Saunders close in a British and Commonwealth title challenge last year and has returned with back-to-back wins.

That's put him back in British-title contention and on a possible collision course with Matthews.

"There has been a lot of speculation about the fight with Ryder," said the 33-year-old from Watford.

"Things are going well and I feel I'm improving, so maybe the time is right to take the leap and find out if I'm ready.

"I have to test myself soon. I could wait another two years but anything could happen in the next two years.

"I would love to get in there and wallop a big name on television. 2015 will be my year, more and more big names are being mentioned so I know we’re moving in the right direction. I can’t wait to get in there."

Matthews' opponent for his next fight has yet to be named but he is confident of claiming another victory no matter who he will face.

"I leave all the business to my manager Mickey Helliet," Matthews said. "He's been talking to a lot of people about my career and we will see what comes up.

"I've just got to hammer this next opponent and I’m not looking past that for now, the opponents are getting progressively harder but I’ve still always felt that if I am to do anything in boxing I have to beat the guys that are being put in front of me.

"Now I've got another fight coming up and that keeps the momentum going. I've got another opponent to think about and keep me motivated.

"I'm training hard and doing everything I can inside and outside the ring to make sure I win that British title." Matthews took another step towards his Lonsdale belt target with an eight round points win over Ruslans Pojonisevs last month.

"I didn't take any risks and just boxed," said Matthews. "It was textbook stuff. I just shut him out of the fight and I learned a lot from it."

Tickets for the show at the Camden Centre are available from 07886-683614.