Couzens: I can spring shock in title shot

But the Titchfield scrapper backed himself to spring a surprise when he faces cruiserweight champ Wadi Camacho.

And Couzens believes he has the power to shock his opponent when they face on July 16 in London.

The 31-year-old will meet Camacho at the York Hall after winning with a second-round stoppage last time out in December.

Couzens will go in as the underdog but isn’t fazed by that prospect.

He believes he has plenty of time to get himself into top shape under trainer Steve Tyrell and upset the odds.

Couzens said: ‘It’s for the Southern Area title and this is a big chance for me.

‘My last fight was in December and I knocked the guy spark out.

‘I’ve found it hard to get fights since.

‘When a prospect finds out about things like that they don’t want to take you on and risk losing their 0.

‘I was offered Camacho before but there was nothing on the line.

‘I’ve waited and been patient and now I’ve got the title shot.

‘It’s a massive chance for me.

‘It’s the biggest fight of my life and could put me right up the rankings.

‘It would be an upset, but bigger upsets have happened.

‘I do respect him, but I fancy my chances and, if I land cleanly, I don’t think he’ll take my power.

‘One thing I don’t do is run away from people.

‘I’m going into his back yard so I’m not going to win on the back foot.

‘So I’m going to put it on him – that’s what I’ll do.’

Couzens had been looking for a dust-up with Leigh Park’s Biola Kudus before the chance to meet Camacho came up.

That was after Kudus was stopped by Karl Wheeler in two rounds in March.

Now Couzens – who is sponsored by Boxfit UK, Be Insulated and Mainline Baits – has a new focus in the shape of Camacho.

The 7-9-2 man still feels he has plenty to offer boxing and is looking to show that in the capital.

Couzens said: ‘I called Biola out after he lost his last contest.

‘It would have been good for local boxing to have it on a big Portsmouth show.

‘He came up with excuses about needing a rest and trying to get a rematch.

‘But I’ve got the Camacho fight now and that’s what I’m looking at.

‘I still feel I have a good couple of years left in boxing.

‘Beforehand I don’t honestly think I believed in myself, and I didn’t give it 100 per cent.

‘Now, I’ve got this opportunity – and it’s one that I want to take with both hands.’