COLIN KENNA could be just one win from a shot at the British heavyweight title after today securing a fight for the Southern Area crown.

Kenna's manager Jack Bishop has received confirmation that his Lordshill fighter will take on IBO European Champion Michael Sprott at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on Friday, August 1.

Reading-based Sprott is the number one contender for Danny Williams' British title and victory would catapult Kenna into the highest echelon of domestic heavyweights alongside the likes of Audley Harrison and Herbie Hide.

The fight represents a massive step up in class for the 26-year-old Saints season-ticket holder, who is currently rated 13 places behind Sprott in the British ratings at number 17.

The prestigious Southern Area belt will definitely be on the line and an application has gone in to also make it a European title fight. The bout is likely to be screened on the BBC.

Kenna, who is currently unbeaten in nine, will go into the biggest fight of his life off a points win against Yorkshireman Paul Bonson.

Sprott, 27, boasts a professional record of 23 wins and five defeats - but he is unbeaten in seven fights during the past 16 months after losing in an earlier British title attempt against Williams.

In that time he has beaten a string of top heavyweights including Michael Holden, Mark Potter and Pele Reid.

At 6ft and 16-and-a-half-stones, Sprott is a similar size and weight to Kenna.

Bishop said: "I know Colin can win this fight. Michael Sprott is a good fighter, but Colin has just got that something extra about him. It will be a big step in class and it is an opportunity he must seize with both hands.

"We have six weeks and he will be training full-time for this fight - starting at noon today."

l Tomorrow Colin Kenna talks to the Echo about the big fight.