Dartford title contender Matt Hilliker is getting ready for the biggest fight of his life next month as he prepares to step through the ropes at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace.

The cruiserweight will face Ryan Crawford on Saturday July 12 in his bid to lift the vacant Queensbury Boxing League title on the undercard of the huge Kings Of The Palace promotion.

And the 31-year-old, who works as a gym instructor in Eltham, is confident he has all the tools required to emerge with the victory after seeing his rival up close and personal at the weekend.

Hilliker was last in action back in March when he had to climb off the canvas in the opening round of his showdown with old rival Peter Green to secure his shot at the belt with a majority points decision.

And after enduring months of hard training since his latest victory, the Dartford fighter is confident it will all pay off on the biggest night of his boxing career.

Hilliker explained: “Since the victory over Green I’ve literally had a week off from training and I’ve been working on a lot of new things in the gym getting ready for this fight.

“I was ringside last weekend to watch Crawford in action and he’s very similar in style to me, so I’m hoping he’s not going to be hard to find in this fight, which will allow me to box a bit more which is what I want.”

Crawford will bring an undefeated league record into the showdown with Hilliker after disposing of Camberley’s Lucas Krakowiak, but the Dartfordian believes he has seen enough to be confident of his chances.

Hilliker said: “Crawford looked good in the fight but he looked uncomfortable when under pressure, especially from the straight shots Krakowiak was hitting him with.

“With my jab being one of my key weapons I really feel I can pick him off with that all night.

“I’ve got a good game plan coming into this fight and I’m confident I can do the job, so I’m looking forward to getting back into the ring and putting it all together now.”

For ticket information on the July 12 clash at the Ally Pally, visit queensburyboxing.co.uk

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