Ambitious Watson to take a step up

BRADLEY WATSON aims to step back in the ring at the end of February as he continues his quest to become an English champion.

Although an exact date and opponent is yet to be confirmed, the 21-year-old Sarnian expects to be fighting in northern England on a Frank Maloney show in his first six-round contest.

The bout will be his third as a professional, having beaten Salim Salimov and Anwar Alfadli in his first two four-round outings last year, both on points.

That victory over Alfadli was back in May and Watson (pictured) has been sidelined since then with a broken jaw he sustained out of the ring, curtailing his progress.