Elliott Matthews is set to get a long-awaited shot at a national title after being chosen to face Joe Mullender for the English Middleweight Championship.

The Watford-born fighter has long been calling for a chance to fight for a belt and cites an unbeaten 19-0-1 record as evidence enough of his right to do so.

Now those calls have been answered as he faces off against Mullender, who claimed the title after a split decision victory in a rematch with Lee Markham earlier this month.

The Brentwood fighter lost by unanimous decision to Markham in his first shot at the belt in May 2016 and boasts an overall record of 10-2, including four knockouts.

Matthews has previously, and perhaps correctly, aired his frustrations at a lack of respect for his record and, at 36, this could well represent the best chance he will have to win a national title.

Before he can turn his attention to what is undoubtedly the biggest fight of his career, Matthews must first negotiate a bout against a still unnamed opponent next month.