Sam Eggington will feel The Pain!

The Matchroom Sport protege, a Midlands Area champion, responded to last year’s Prizefight semi-final defeat to Johnny Coyle by stopping all of his next five opponents, including former Commonwealth supremo Denton Vassell.

But 25-year-old Singleton is in similar vein of form to the British number four welterweight, stopping Leon Findlay, Steve Jevons and Nodar Robakidze since stepping up to the 147lb division.

Ahead of the contest at Hull’s Ice Arena on March 7th, which will see almost 7,000 fans packed into the venue, the owner of the WBC International Silver strap said: “I’m more than confident of winning. The more people watching the merrier because this is my chance to show people what I can do. I want to wow the crowd and promote my skills.

“I said I wanted to fight the best, and this is my opportunity. Kell Brook and Amir Khan are world class and Frankie Gavin is stepping up to European level so I’m facing the best welterweight in the domestic scene.

“This is what I’ve been working toward all my life. When I got the call I didn’t know what I was fighting for or how much I was getting paid - I just wanted the fight.”

At present it seems Singleton’s WBC fringe title is on the line, though negotiations are taking place for a more lucrative belt to be the victor’s prize. But whatever is at stake, Karl Ince’s student is confident of extending his winning streak to 21.

“It’s going to be a powerful contest,” said Singleton. “I’d be happy to win on points but I think I’ll stop him late on. He seems to run out of steam a bit, so maybe he doesn’t have the engine.

“He did get a second wind against Denton Vassell, though. I’m hoping my fitness and work rate will win me the fight. I know it’s going to be tough because he’s not ranked fourth in Britain for nothing.

“He doesn’t have the best defence or quality foot movement. There’s no bounce in his feet, no side-stepping or spinning off. But he’s strong and what he does works for him. Vassell was poor that night and it wasn’t the man of old who defended his Commonwealth title time after time.

“I’m not taking anything away from Sam though because it was a very good win. He can punch and he’s had a lot of stoppages. But whether we have a war or I box him, I will beat him. I think my movement and class will be too much for him.”

Singleton added: “This is massive. If it is for my WBC strap and I defend it then it’ll boost my position in the world rankings. Anything could happen after that. This is it now - it’s on Sky and Eddie Hearn is involved. If this doesn’t end up being for the British title, then the winner will ultimately fight for it.”