By Luke Cawdell

The vacant British Masters lightweight title is up for grabs this weekend.

Standing between Hoo boxer Adam Dingsdale (pictured) and his first title is the UK’s No.13 ranked fighter Dean Mills – fresh from a fourth round KO win from his last outing.

Mills comes in to replace Mickey Coveney – who withdrew several weeks ago – and Dingsdale knows he’ll need to be at his best to take home the title on Saturday.

"It’s a big fight and if I beat him, then hopefully that will take me into the top 10," said the man currently ranked 31st.

Mills’ last opponent was former World Boxing Union lightweight title holder and EBU challenger David Burke.

"It’s a massive step up but I am well up for it," said Dingsdale. "I’ve done the hard work and although I was expecting to face a southpaw in Mickey Coveney, it doesn’t matter. Any sparring is good sparring and it’s all in the bank."

A 10-round contest is new territory for Dingsdale, who in professional boxing has never gone beyond four.

He will be backed by a strong Kent following – having sold around 150 tickets for the fight at the Civic Hall, Grays, Essex.