Jason Welborn EXCLUSIVE: I'll be ready for James Metcalf then I'll target Kell Brook

Often in boxing, a defeat - especially if competitive - can serve as an inspiration to work even harder, aim increasingly higher. Such was the case with Jason Welborn losing to then-unified world super-welterweight champion Jarrett Hurd in December. While Welborn was disappointed to fall to a perfectly placed body shot in the fourth round on the undercard to Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury, he held his own in the preceding sessions and this, allied to his recent British title reign up at middleweight, convinced the Tividale veteran that, despite whatever unbeaten prospect James Metcalf can produce in their June 15 Leeds showdown, he is now beyond domestic level.

"I’ve won the British, so if it comes up, I think I’m past that level now," he reflects. "I had my wars at Midlands level which, in this day and age could have happened at British level. Know I can be pushed on to European, Inter-Continental titles, that’s my level and there are some big fights at that level. There are big names in this country, like Kell Brook, Liam Smith and Liam Williams. It’s a hard weight category but it’s now or never for me.
"I cant look past Metcalf, I’m expecting a strong, come-forward fighter, fit, but I’ll be 100% ready for whatever he brings."

Welborn was actually stopped by Smith way back in July 2014, one of seven setbacks against 24 victories on the 33-year-old’s pro ledger. Only world-class Hurd has vanquished him in the almost three years, however, and while Jason believes he should comfortably get past Metcalf, the father-of-two had other reasons for taking this contest.

"It just cropped up," he revealed. "It is for the vacant Commonwealth title, he’s a prospect, Frank Warren has got him the right fights, got his record up and now he’s got to step up. Me winning the Commonwealth title, I wanna look back at that level at super-welterweight, beat an undefeated prospect and it puts me in line with Frank Warren. I need a good promoting team to work with Black Country Boxing and progress me for my last few fights. I’m at the peak of my career, I’ve been full-time for the last three years and you’ve seen the change in my fights."