AJ Faizy might be entering the ‘lion’s den’ on Saturday night when he fights for his first world title, but the Blackburn boxer is determined to bring the belt back to East Lancashire.

Faizy heads to the iconic boxing venue of York Hall, in Bethnal Green, to fight local lad Johnny Coyle for the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Lightweight belt.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The 22-year-old took the fight with southpaw Coyle, who won the £32,000 Welterweight Prizefighter title in April 2014, on just two weeks notice after the collapse of his Blackburn fight with Qasim Niaz, who withdrew through injury.

Coyle, ranked number 11 in the country, is a step-up in class for Faizy, who has won six of eight fights in the professional ranks, but he was never going to let this change slip.

“I was supposed to fight for that belt anyway but because of what happened to the Blackburn show there was no other show around Lancashire to put me on,” he said.

“So there was a chance of losing the chance to fight for this title, but this fight came up and I took it with both hands.

“It’s a big opportunity, I’ve got to go there and give it 100 per cent.

“I’m confident of coming back with the belt, if I wasn’t confident we wouldn’t have taken the fight.”

Essex fighter Coyle, also 22, will enjoy home support in East London, and Faizy is aware he may have to force a stoppage if he is to win the title, rather than relying on the judges’ scorecards at the end of 10 rounds.

“It’s a vacant belt but it’s in his backyard and he’s got the home advantage, but he’s got all the pressure as well,” he said.

“Even if I box him out for the whole fight I’ll probably not get the decision, but it doesn’t mean anything, as long as I give it 100 per cent and I do what I’ve got to do, that’s all that matters.”

The stakes are raised by the fact the Stand and Deliver card is being promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, and an eye-catching performance could earn Faizy a deal with the country’s top promoter.

“If you’re with Eddie Hearn then there’s probably a good chance of getting that world title fight, if you do what you’re supposed to do and keep winning,” said Faizy.

“I just have to go there and fight, make sure the crowd get a good fight and you give them what they’ve paid for.”

Faizy’s trainer Barry Higginson said the fight coming a week earlier than the scheduled Blackburn bill has not played a problem with preparations.

“He’s fighting in the lion’s den on Saturday,” he said of Faizy’s challenge against Coyle.

“He was an ABA champion, he’s Prizefighter champion, Southern Area champion.

He added: “He’s undefeated but we’re ready for him and we are coming back with that belt.”