Light-middleweight boxer Dave Walker is a couple of signatures away from securing a decent title fight.

The 28-year-old from Sidcup has been nominated by the British Boxing Board of Control to fight Andrew Facey for the English Championship.

Thirty-two-year-old Facey, based in Sheffield, is the current holder having won 15 of his 19 fights, losing three with one draw.

Subject to contractural agreements, which must be signed by next Wednesday, the board has ordered the fight to take place before the end of April.

Walker, a former Southern Area title-holder at two different weights, hopes this will be a stepping stone to a crack at the British title.

He said: "To be honest, I would have preferred to have had a straight crack at Jamie Moore's British title, but you've got to be prepared to take on anyone.

"I maintained my training schedule during Christmas and ther New Year with my personal trainer Dave Hall, who is based in Foots Cray.

"He has been working me hard, which coupled with the roadwork has kept me in top shape."

However, Walker may find the six-foot Facey a tough rival.

Facey won the English title after defeating Matt Macklinon points over 10 rounds at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre, in Dagenham, in early November, 2003. Amazingly, just 16 days later, Facey squared up to challenge Moore for the British title and, not surprisingly, was stopped in the seventh round.

Facey though, won his only two fights of 2004, while Walker has stopped two of his last three opponents since his ill-advised bid for Roman Karmazin's European title nearly 15 months ago when he lost inside three rounds to the brilliant Russian.

Walker added: Facey is tall and has an awkward style, but I'm very confident of beating him."

However, Walker will need to avoid any mishaps like the one that befell him during Christmas."

"My car overheated and I did not let it cool down enough before removing the radiator cap. The steam spurted out and scalded my arm, but it is fine now except for a small scar. I think I will stick to boxing in future," Walker quipped.