'˜This is my life and it all comes down to this fight'

After being made the mandatory challenger by the British Boxing Board of Control, and while purse bids were being submitted, the 26-year-old started pounding the streets and hitting the gym to cut his weight in preparation.

Now, currently weighing in at around 11st 10lbs, the WBC Silver International champion has just over 17 pounds to strip to make the championship weight of 147lbs as his 10-week training camp begins.

The welterweight, ranked fourth in the UK, will now training twice a day, six days a week, going between coach Karl Ince and strength and conditioning coach Ash Alderson.

“I’ve only got a stone to go now and there’s still 10 weeks to go,” he said. “As soon as I was made mandatory I just kicked on. I’ve had four weeks’ preparation before the camp started which has helped to bring the weight down.

“Rather than coming in to the gym a couple of stone over weight and being really unhealthy I’ve been able to get straight in to training.

“The weight is down so we can just get straight to work on the boxing and devise a fight plan. We are ahead of schedule. That can only work in my favour.”

Singleton goes in to the contest in exhilarating form. The Pendle pugilist stopped a middleweight in Gary Cooper, dropped a super-middleweight in Wayne Reed while Adil Anwar also hit the canvas.

“It feels brilliant,” he said. “I’m over the moon and I’m ready to go. I know it’s going to be a tough fight but I’m 110% confident that I can beat him.

“He’s got a good record, similar to mine, but he’s probably only come up against two or three quality opponents.

“He beat Sam Eggington and credit to him for that.

“He’s a quality fighter but I don’t think he’s come up against anyone with my movement and speed. I think he will probably under-estimate my power as well. I’ve got the power to stop people and I’ve been putting bigger opponents on the canvas.”

Having laid his eyes on the pristine Lonsdale Belt, Singleton added: “It definitely makes me more determined when seeing it. It’s a really nice belt and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

“It’s taken its time. After beating Curtis Woodhouse and stepping up in weight I hadn’t even considered getting a British title shot because there are some top lads at welterweight.

“I’ve plodded on, grafted hard and I’ve been rewarded with this shot. It’s a massive achievement to have been recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control.

“It’s a shame that it’s not for the Commonwealth as well (after Skeete vacated) but this fight still means everything to me.

“This is my life and it all comes down to this fight. I just think it’s coming at the right time for me.”