JASON Welborn says the time is right for him to stun Frankie Gavin and the boxing world.

After weeks of rumour and discussion, the Rowley Regis welterweight has been given the fight he craves after a clash with British champion Gavin was confirmed for January 18 at Walsall Town Hall.

Brummie Gavin, the country’s only amateur world champion, will go into the fight a big favourite with the bookies. But former Midlands champion Welborn, who warmed up for the bout with a comfortable ten round points win over Hungary’s Jan Balog last Friday, feels he is ready to challenge the best in Britain.

He said: “For me it’s now or never. I need this fight.

“Even when I was training for the Midlands title fight it was not inspiring me enough.

“I need to step up and I’ve no doubt if I keep training hard and stick to my gameplan I have a good chance.

“I haven’t taken this fight just for the money. The money does not appeal to me.”

Welborn impressed with his power in Midland title stoppage wins over Sean McKervey, James Flinn and Scott Haywood.

Balog represented a chance to practice against the southpaw style and Welborn admits he was not fighting at 100 per cent. He said: “I was glad I got the ten rounds in.

“It was an opportunity for me to focus and think, not end up just relying on my strength.

“When I went back to the corner they were telling me to ignore the crowd and stick to my boxing.

“I stayed sensible, the last thing I needed was a cut.”

While the rest of the country will be indulging over the festive period, Welborn knows he faces only hard work in the gym. But he wouldn’t want it any other way.

He said: “Now I’ve just got Frankie Gavin on my mind. It will be a quiet Christmas and obviously I’m not going to see much turkey.

“Everyone knows his nickname is Fun Time, well Christmas will not be a fun time for me.

“But come January 18 I will be hitting hard.”