Wharf boxer Sam Webb ready for Small title test

He said: "I don't like him and I've said that to him. We've got a history of not getting on. He'll be mouthing off for weeks before the fight. If there were world titles for talking he'd be a multiple winner.

"But you've got to be able to back it up and he can't. Guys like Naseem Hamed and Nigel Benn could talk, but they had the ability to back it up. They did the business and so will I on March 26.

"I've fought Small twice before, when we were amateurs about four or five years ago. I beat him then and I'll do it again. We've both improved since, but we'll see who has improved more."

Last week Webb was in Sheffield training at Ryan Rhodes' gym and he's due sparring time with young boxers George Groves and Darren Barker to get in shape for the big fight. For the 28-year-old the title tilt is the culmination of a lifelong ambition, and he's ready.

He said: "I'm confident. I've been waiting for this opportunity since I was 11 and now it's arrived and I'm really looking forward to it.

"I'm loving the preparation. I've been working hard, and the harder it gets the more I'm loving it. I always felt I had another level and now I'm finding it.

"I'll stop doing the hard sessions a week before the fight. Then it'll be a week of padwork, skipping and sharpening to make sure I'm right at my peak for fight night."

Webb became mandatory challenger by defeating Tony McDonagh last May, but it was McDonagh who went on to fight Small for the title last November, when he was well beaten in a disappointing contest.

Webb is determined to do better, although his preparations have had to fit around his day job as a plasterer. He would love to devote himself full-time to the ring, and that's where a Wharf-based benefactor would come in useful.

He said: "I'd love to be able to give up the plastering for a bit and concentrate on boxing. If there's somebody, a company or an individual, who would like to sponsor me it would be fantastic. It's a great opportunity for someone because this fight is going to be live on tv, so there will be a lot of publicity."

The bout has been switched from the original venue of York Hall in Bethnal Green to Dagenham's Goresbrook Leisure Centre. The move has disappointed Webb.

He said: "I'm a little disappointed because York Hall is such a great boxing venue and it would be nice to win the title there. But it's still in London and as long as I win, it doesn't really matter where the fight is.

"To win would be massive. Winning a British belt is what every boxer wants to do, to most it's even more important than winning world titles. If I win it will be my proudest moment."

If you think you can help Webb with his sponsorship contact The Wharf on 0207 510 6304 or email simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk and we'll put you in touch with him.