STOURBRIDGE boxer Sam Eggington says he's ready to take the light-middleweight division by storm in 2018.

The former European welterweight champ will step up to 154lb for the first time when he fights on the undercard of Kell Brook’s clash with WBC number seven Sergey Rabchenko on March 3.

The fight, which will also be Brook's debut at light-middle, will take place at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield, live on Sky Sports.

Eggington's opponent hasn't been announced yet but the Stour man doesn't mind who he faces and is just looking forward to getting back in the ring.

The Savage made the call to step up a weight class after his split-decision defeat to Frenchman Mohamed Mimoune in October, when the weight cut proved too much of a burden on fight-night as his European strap was taken away.

However, the gritty 24-year-old now thinks campaigning at light-middleweight will bring out even more improvement as he targets more big fights and a world title tilt.

He said: "I'm really happy to get back working towards the next fight now and I'm looking forward to a big year.

"It's a real relief more than anything to move up in weight because I can't explain just how much of a struggle it was for me trying to make 10 stone 7lbs.

"Against Mimoune, I still had all the attributes as before, I was able to take shots and he couldn't stop me coming forward and pushing, but I just didn't have the same energy.

"I stayed longer at welterweight because I didn't want to give up my title and was getting big fights, but I was always depleted.

"But I've got that spring back now and can't wait to get going again.

"There should be a lot more potential to come now and I honestly believe that I can challenge for a world title this year."

Eggington believes fans will get to see a renewed fighter when he reappears, regardless of who is in the opposite corner for his comeback.

He added: "I don't mind who I fight but I want to look past British level and start where I left off again. I'd jump at the chance of a European title shot.

"I need the first fight to go well and then build from there.

"I leave the opponents to my team but I'd face anyone. I wasn't a small welterweight and have the power and strength and now the freedom of not having to cut weight as well.

"I'm loving being in camp again and training. It's a mindset issue more than anything. When you're struggling with your weight it makes everything difficult but now I can enjoy it again."

Tickets for Brook’s clash with Rabchenko are on sale now priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 from the FlyDSA Arena at flydsaarena.co.uk and on 0114 2565656. VIP tickets priced at £250 are exclusively available from matchroomboxing.com