St Ives Boxing Academy star Karl Wheeler goes in search of more title glory this Saturday night.

The Peterborough-based cruiserweight, who won the British Challenge belt by flooring the previously unbeaten Biola Kudus back in March, faces experienced Czech fighter Jindrich Velecky for the International Challenge crown.

It’s a top-of-the-bill, eight-round showdown at the York Hall in London and Wheeler’s trainer, Steve Whitwell, insists a 41-year-old opponent who has lost more than two-thirds of his 60 fights cannot be taken lightly.

Whitwell said: “This is a tick-over fight for Karl, more than anything else, but it is also the chance of winning another title.

“Getting hold of the British Challenge belt was fantastic for Karl and it has made him even hungrier for more success.

“A good performance and another win this Saturday will hopefully lead to a Southern Area title shot in September.

“He’s got to take care of Velecky first though. We know he is an experienced opponent who can bang a bit.

“Karl slipped up against a foreign guy earlier in the year and can’t let that happen again.

“He is getting confidence in his punch power now and hopefully he can put another KO on his record.”

Whitwell is also excited by the prospect of Tyler Goodjohn returning to full training in the coming weeks following injury.

Goodjohn suffered a fractured hand when sparring ahead of a tilt at the then-vacant English welterweight crown in March.

“It will be great to get Tyler back punching and hopefully building up to another chance at the English title,” added Whitwell.