Kudus wants piece of title mix

Kudus believes he can make an impact in a packed cruiserweight division in 2016.

The popular Leigh Park puncher takes his next step in the paid ranks tonight in London against Latvian Stanislavs Makarenko.

Kudus will be expected to register his fourth win since turning pro at the end of 2014.

The 29-year-old will again be well backed by a decent fanbase travelling to the capital.

He will be looking to put on a show for them as he aims to make a name for himself in the sport.

Kudus views his division as one of the most competitive in the domestic game.

And he has the belief he can be right in the mix for honours moving forward.

Kudus said: ‘I’ve sold a lot of tickets and can’t wait to get out there.

‘This is my fourth pro fight so I want to make my mark now.

‘Hopefully I can have a six-rounder in November and then kick on next year.

‘This time next year I want to be looking to progress to the Southern Area title.

‘There are names out there.

‘Jose Lopes is being spoken highly about. He’s a name out there and there’s Isaac Chamberlain. The cruiserweight division is a hot division to be in.

‘In the next year I think there will be as many as 10 of us who fancy their chances for the title.

‘I believe I can be one of the names at the top of the pecking order.’

Kudus has undergone a varied build-up to tonight’s contest – with trainer Barry Smith away preparing Tommy Martin for his next fight later this month.

He has picked up some high-quality work with cruiserweight rival Chamberlain in London.

But a lot of his sparring and training has taken place locally as Kudus goes back to his roots.

That has been an experience he has savoured.

Kudus said: ‘The training has gone really well. My trainer was away in Marbella for two weeks, so I stayed in Portsmouth.

‘I sparred at HMS Nelson and did a lot of work at Miguel’s Gym in Brixton with Isaac Chamberlain.

‘That was wicked sparring because he’s relentless. That kind of sparring gets you ready for fight night.

‘But I’ve been based locally for a lot of it.

‘I’ve done a lot work with my old amateur trainer George Mackenzie.

‘In London the gyms are fancy but we went back to spit and sawdust and where we started.

‘I’ve also been down to Stacey ABC for sessions with Yinka Bello and Brian Featherstone. The preparations have been spot on.’