DUDLEY southpaw Ryan ‘Tank’ Aston says he plans to prove size matter when he meets Nathan Graham at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday night.

They clash over 10 rounds in front of the BoxNation Cameras in an eliminator for the English light-middleweight title, currently held by Nav Mansouri.

Aston, nine years the younger at 24, rates the ex-Southern Area champ from Aylesbury, but added: “He’s short and I’m going to be too big and strong for him.

“I’m going to be able to bully him.”

Aston, a former England amateur rep, started his professional career up at middleweight in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

But following a Midlands Area-title loss to Curtis Valentine and a pair of draws with Tyan Booth, he’s dropped down to 11 stones and rebuilt his career on small-hall shows in the Black Country.

“I think what’s happened in my career has made me a stronger character,” said Aston, who’s been sparring WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee.

“I’ve had people knocking me, saying I’m chinny and I love that. It just makes me more determined to get into British-title contention.”

Aston (16-2-2, 7) feels he should be there already.

In June, he challenged Jason Welborn for the Midlands Area strap in a Black Country derby and for most ringsiders, he did enough to get the decision after scoring a fifth-round knockdown.

The referee thought otherwise, rewarding Welborn for his strong finish with a 96-94 verdict.

Aston says he only takes positives from that fight and says he’s learned from the mistakes he made.

“I have to be more composed this time,” he said. “I had never been 10 rounds before and gassed myself trying to stop him in the seventh and eighth.”

In other big fights on the Wolverhampton show, Tommy Langford (13-0, 4) defends his WBO Intercontinental middleweight title and Paul Butler (18-1, 9), the ex-IBF bantamweight champion, is set to be matched over 10 rounds.

Also on the bill is Andrew ‘D’Animal’ Robinson (15-1, 5), Josh Leather, Macaulay McGowan, Leon Woodstock and Rowley Regis’ Tyler Denny.

Meanwhile, fellow Priory Park man Les Byfield has vowed to stand his ground when he takes on Michael Stupart.

The 28-year-old lightweight recovered from a points loss to Reece Smith on his debut to defeat Matt Seawright, again over-the-distance, at a catch-weight.

Byfield said: “He’s a learning curve for lads coming through, he’s tough and tricky and will try to lull me into a false sense of security so I blow myself out.

“I will try and keep him (Stupart) on the back-foot, which I know I can more than do if it goes the other way. Those skills are there.

“I’ve spent most of my boxing life against heavier opponents, so it’s good to finally be in there with someone about my size. I’ll stand my ground this time."

For tickets call the box office on 0870 320 7000.