TRAINER Terry O'Neill tonight begins grooming Jorvik Warrior Jamie Warters for his first title challenge.

O'Neill believes his 23-year-old York protg could be just five fights away from a shot at the British light-heavyweight title.

And, with that in mind, the trainer steps up Warters' preparations with his first experience of three minute rounds in tonight's top of the bill clash with Sheffield's PR Mason.

Warters is the main attraction at the sell-out Keith Walker Promotions event at the Irish Centre, Leeds, starting at 8pm.

The build up to the fight was hampered by a last minute change of opponent, with Burton-on-Trent's Mark Dawson pulling out to attend his grandmother's funeral.

However, O'Neill declared replacement Mason, 33, would also provide a stern test for Warters over four three minute rounds.

"It will bring him on leaps and bounds. He has never done three minute rounds so instead of doing six twos he will box four threes. It will be an interesting fight," he said.

"Mason is only rated a couple of places below Jamie. He turned Michael Gale over before Christmas and Gale was in a box off for the British title.

"I think Jamie has a bit too much skill for him, as long as he does not get drawn into a holding situation. Jamie has a cracking left hand.

"Things are going well for him. He is absolutely superb in training. He weighed 12st 10lbs yesterday and that is exactly the weight we wanted for him."

O'Neill is hoping to arrange a fight against a top ten ranked opponent for Warters next month, possibly on the British title eliminator bill at the Queens Hotel, Leeds.

And the Leeds-based trainer has not ruled out the possibility of bringing a Warters fight to York in future, provided a suitable venue could be found.

He added: "Jamie is well thought of. He is a quiet lad and not one to blow his own trumpet. It is very important to keep his unbeaten run. I am looking to about five bouts from now, he could be fighting for a British title.

"I want to get him a couple of eight by threes and I am hoping he will fight for the area and then British title. We have discussed him fighting in York if we can get an area title fight and a decent venue. We would think about it because he doesn't half get some support behind him."

Also fighting on tonight's Irish Centre bill are ex-kickboxer Clint Johnson, Franny Hogg and Gary Savage.

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