MATTHEW Barney believes he is just one fight from a shot at the British title.

Barney defeated emerging Norwegian talent Kim Jenssen in his last outing and now has a May 2 date with Ghanaian Michael Gbenga.

Victory in that contest could see Barney installed as the mandatory challenger for the British title, which is currently held by Tony Oakey.

Portsmouth-based Oakey is set to defend the belt against Dean Francis in June and Barney is hopeful of getting a shot at the winner.

Barney said: "My manager is pretty sure I'll be made mandatory challenger.

"Dean Francis is third in the rankings, Oakey is fourth and I am fifth.

"Nobody below me is boxing the calibre of fighters I am. I am not fighting the average journeyman boxers.

"I could even be in front of them in the ratings so I'm certainly hoping to be made mandatory challenger after the next fight and get one of Oakey or Francis.

"I don't think either of them want to box me but that says a lot about them.

"I have beaten them both for titles in the past and you would think they would want to get a win against me back on their records.

"So you have to ask why, as champions, they won't box me.

"I'm confident I would beat them and it's a shame in boxing sometimes people can do this.

"But it's up to me to make myself mandatory challenger now.

"I'd love to box Oakey again and I'd knock him out this time because I'm punching much harder than last time I beat him."

Barney has defeated Oakey for the British title and Francis for Commonwealth title. But his awkward style and lack of box office appeal has meant it is hard for him to land fights.

That is a large reason both men are loathe to fight him again.

The Southampton light heavyweight's best chance is to be made mandatory challenger and victory again Gbenga, who had an impressive record before losing his last fight to Francis for the Commonwealth title, could do that.

After a good win points over Jenssen, Barney is in confident mood.

"I boxed pretty well against Jenssen and it was good to get back in after a year long lay off," said Barney.

"He didn't punch hard but he was physically strong.

"I totally out-boxed him. I did go over in one round but it was more of a trip and the referee gave me a count, but that was the only thing in the fight as I won every round.

"I'm looking forward to fighting Gbenga who had something like 16 fights and knocked out 15 but has now lost two or three.