Benny May fights for a world title in Rochester on Sunday.

The Minster welterweight (pictured) faces Colchester’s Vanny Purdy at the Casino Rooms for the right to be crowned IBA world champion.

May, 35, holds a 100 per cent KO record at IBA level and is hoping to make it seven from seven in front of a star-studded crowd.

He said: "I’ve won five amateur titles and have boxed around the world for my county. I’ve been boxing for 25 years but this is the fight of my life.

"I am coming to the end of my career now and this is arguably my biggest test. I’m undefeated, he’s lost one in 20, there’s a bit of animosity there and the fight will be watched by 1,000 people.

"He was quoted as saying that he was ‘going to make me an old man quick’ but I am not one for that. I will do my talking when it matters and we’ll see."

Two-time world heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon will be at ringside for the fight as will May’s close friend, former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Danny Williams.

The IBA is an up-and-coming organisation and at present is seen by many as a stepping stone to the higher organisations, such as the WBO, WBC and IBF.