STOURBRIDGE welterweight Sam Eggington says he should be able to power past Frankie Gavin if he has realistic designs on continuing his brilliant rise up the boxing ranks.

‘The Savage’ has been handed a long-awaited headline clash with Gavin at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena on October 17.

Eggington will put his British, Commonwealth and WBC International Silver Welterweight titles on the line against ‘Funtime’, who goes straight back into championship action following his world title clash with Kell Brook in May.

Stourbridge star Eggington has been on fire in the last year, with impressive wins over Denton Vassell, Shayne Singleton, Joseph Lamptey and Glenn Foot leading to ‘The Savage’ picking up the titles he now defends.

Eggington said: “I know I’m more than good enough to beat him.

“He is a very good domestic fighter but has failed beyond that. Realistically, if I want to be aiming for bigger fights on the European and world stage then I should be beating fighters like Frankie Gavin quite comfortably.

“I know enough about him to know I have all the tools to cause him a lot of problems.

“My team will have a good look at him and we will come up with our game plan from there. I trust them completely, as you have to in this game. So far they have been spot on and I will be following their plan once again.”

A clash with current Midland Area light middleweight champion Jason Welborn had been mooted before the Gavin fight quickly came to fruition.

A battle with the Halesowen fighter stalled due to questions on if Welborn should step down a weight class.

However, Eggington only has eyes for making Gavin his next scalp as he continues his push to the top.

“It’s a fight I’ve been calling for for a long time now,” added Eggington. “When I heard it could happen I had no hesitation in getting it done.

“I think it has worked out really well as Jason (Welborn) also has an massive fight on the same bill. It should be a great night of action.

“I’m excited to start the preparations now and begin building towards October.

“I’ve already started my fitness work again and it is great to start the camp fully fit and raring to go. I’m very confident I’ll come out on top and just need to put the work in now.”

There’s a stacked bill in support of the main event, with another huge derby as Welborn goes head-to-head with former world title challenger Matthew Macklin.

Macklin is moving down to light-middleweight for the clash, a second hometown fight in quick succession for the world-rated 33-year-old following his second round knock out win in May.

It’s a golden opportunity for Welborn having climbed off the canvas to beat Dudley’s Ryan Aston in their meeting for the Midland crown in June.

Unbeaten Super Flyweight star Kal Yafai faces Jason Cunningham for the vacant British title while brother Gamal Yafai continues his progression.

The Midlands belt is on the line between middleweights Lennox Clarke and Craig Cunningham while there are also outings for Corry Gibbs, Zack Parker and Dan Breeze.

Tickets are available at barclaycardarena.co.uk or on 0844 338 8000.