Watford middleweight Elliott Matthews is closing in on a shot at the British middleweight title.

Boxing bosses have made the 35-year-old southpaw the mandatory challenger for the English middleweight championship.

Lee Markham currently wears the St George’s belt and Matthews should get the chance to take it off him later this year.

Matthews is set to warm up for his title challenge at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday, July 30 and said: “It’s an exciting fight with Markham and I’m looking forward to it.

“The Southern Area title isn’t good enough for me. I want more. I want the British title and the English title is a step in the right direction.

“I’m looking to keep winning, build a following and get myself into a position where I can’t be ignored.”

The Watford middleweight revealed he has been offered title shots recently.

He said: “I’ve been offered big fights with (British champion) Chris Eubank jr and (Commonwealth champion) Tommy Langford, but they want me to take the fights at short notice.

“I’ve got more sense than to take title fights at three weeks’ notice.

“I want to do it right. I want seven or eight weeks to prepare. I’m not going to leave it all the gym because I’ve had to get down to the weight and mug myself off when I get in the ring.

“I want to go in the ring confident I will win.”

Matthews will have a new trainer in his corner for his next fight, now he’s training at the Virgin Active gym in Northwood with Dennis Maycock.

Maycock trained three-time world title challenger George Groves when he was a kickboxer, and Matthews said: “Dennis knows his stuff and it makes sense for me to train with him.

“I chose to move here because I want to be nearer where I work.

“I’m happy where I am now and that will show when I box,” he added.

Tickets for the show at York Hall in Bethnal Green are available by calling 07886 683614.