ALTHOUGH he is disappointed that he won't be involved in the first title fight to take place in Torquay, professional Kingsteignton boxer Jamie Speight doesn't think he'll have to wait long for the chance to claim his first belt in the sport, writes Dean Stacey.

Dean Mills, of Bridgwater, and High Wycombe's Mark McCullough have been named as the boxers set to make history, fighting for the British Masters lightweight crown at the Riviera Centre on June 19.

It will be the first title bout that Torquay has hosted since professional boxing was introduced to the town in 1927.

Having enjoyed a great deal of success and a lot of local support during the two bouts he has already had at the Riviera, unbeaten Speight was hoping he would get the opportunity to help make history.

But the 21-year-old, who has had to settle for a clash with Sheffield's Daniel Thorpe on the undercard instead, has revealed that he may get a shot at a pro belt in front of his own fans later this year.

Speight said: 'Keith (promoter Keith Mayo) asked me a couple of weeks ago whether I'd box for a title over ten-threes.

'He said he wanted it to be in Torquay later in the year, maybe November/December time, so I should hope in 2010 I'll secure a title of some sort.'

For now, though, Speight is fully focused on extending his unblemished pro record to six bouts against the experienced Thorpe, who has had 126 fights, albeit 100 of them ending in defeat.

The former Teign School, Kingsteignton, student commented: 'Thorpe's quite awkward with a bit of a bang I hear – he can punch a bit, apparently.

'But I'll be fine. I can't wait to get in there.

'The actual fight is the easy part. The most stressful part is getting all the tickets out.'

To purchase tickets for the bout, contact him on 07796 081776 or call his dad, Nigel, on 07971 398998.