BLACKBURN’S Qasim Niaz is hoping to set up a clash with Darwen’s AJ Faizy for the WBC world youth title at King George’s Hall on October 17 as he makes his return from a shoulder injury.

Niaz has won all seven of his professional bouts so far but has not fought since November because of a shoulder problem.

But the 23-year-old Pakistan-born boxer will return to action at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester on June 20 and says he is then being lined up to face Faizy in an East Lancashire clash for the world youth title in October.

Faizy, a 21-year-old born in Afghanistan, has won five, drawn one and lost one of his seven professional bouts.

“The chance to fight for the world youth title would be a very good opportunity for me,” Niaz said.

“People like Canelo Alvarez, Devon Alexander, John Murray and Danny Garcia have all held a world youth title. I’ve done my research!

“Steve Wood has said if I win my fight in Manchester, I should be fighting for the WBC world youth title in Blackburn on October 17.

“If it’s two Blackburn boxers fighting for the title I don’t think there’ll be an empty seat in the house at King George’s Hall. People are already asking me for tickets.

“He’s said a few things about me and I’ve said a few things about him, so it would be an interesting fight. We sparred together when we were teenagers.

“He’s supposedly the knockout artist and I’m the boxer.

“I mean no disrespect to him but I’m 110 per cent confident I would beat him.

“I think he’s an easier opponent than one or two others I could fight.

“I would see it as a stepping stone for bigger things for me.”

Faizy is also scheduled to fight on the Manchester bill on June 20, with opponents for both boxers yet to be confirmed.

The duo are both expected to fight over eight rounds for the first time in Manchester.

Boxers must have fought at least one eight-rounder to make themselves eligible to compete for the world youth title, which is over 10 rounds.

Niaz says his opponent in Manchester could potentially be Polish fighter Krzysztof Szot, who inflicted Faizy’s only professional defeat in Blackburn last month.

“I might be fighting the guy who beat him in my next fight, but that’s not confirmed yet,” Niaz said.

“I’m not looking past this next fight because we both have to win if we’re going to fight each other for the world youth title.

“My shoulder is fine now. The problem was with the socket and joint but I’ve been doing exercises.

“It has been frustrating because I was expecting a lot from this year, to take me to the next level.

“But this opportunity has come now and no-one is going to take it away from me.”