BOXER Harry Matthews says he will realise a dream when he fights for a title in front of his home York crowd on Saturday.

The Pocklington Rocket takes on Bristol-based Rocky Chakir for the vacant international masters middleweight title at the Energise Centre – topping a bill labelled “The War”.

With a full training camp behind him, Matthews said there would be “no excuses” if he failed to come out on top following ten three minute rounds.

“Training has gone brilliantly,” he said. “I’ve even got a strength training coach now in Ian Dunbar.

“He has helped me to get more power in my legs and more flexibility.

“The pad work has gone well and I have been sparring ten rounds.

“Now I just want to get in there and win the title I deserve.”

Matthews had been originally due to fight Kevin “The Hammer” Hammond but a scan revealed a problem which prevented him from competing under British Boxing Board of Control rules and Turkish-born Chakir stepped in.

The pair had actually been due to fight in Leeds in February but an injury to Chakir denied the showdown.

Despite having to focus on a new opponent after his training camp had begun, Matthews doesn’t think the change will present too many new problems.

“He is a similar style to Hammond,” he said.

“I have seen him fight before and he is all right hand.

“He has never been stopped and his record is about half and half.

“I believe I will beat him. This has been my best training camp.

“I have lived it properly and I can’t do anything else to get myself into better shape.

“There will be no excuses for me, certainly.

“It is my ambition to fight for a title in York and I will realise that.

“I will make that belief into reality.

“I am excited about Saturday night and am ready to fight.”

The bill also features Heworth fighter Matt Doyle’s meeting with Brierley Hill’s Martin Gordon in a four three-minute round welterweight contest.

Graham Fearn, now in his last year as a pro, has a rematch against Nuneaton’s Khristian Laight.

Clifton fighter Lee Stewart’s pro debut will be against Thornbridge fighter Dan Carr in a six two-minute round lightweight contest.

The bill is completed by Richard Troop, of Hull, against Matt Scriven, of Mansfield, over four three-minute rounds at light middleweight.

Glenn Banks, who trains Matthews, Doyle, Fearn and Stewart, declared his stable of fighters ready for their hometown outing.

He said: “We’ve had a really good ten-week training camp – the lads have loved working with Ian Dunbar and we are ready for it.

“Tickets have been selling well and these are exciting times for all the lads.”

Tickets for the show cost £30 standard and £40 ringside and are available by phoning Banks on 07842 464466, Matthews on 07854 543133, Doyle on 07515 163176, Fearn on 07955 519369 or Stewart on 07907 236089. Limited tickets will also be available on the door.

Doors open 6.30pm, with the first bout starting at 7.30pm.