The 29-year-old heavyweight is preparing for his rematch against Frazer Clarke on Saturday (12.10.24) night and he feels that if he is victorious, he will get a shot against the IBF champion.

He told Boxing News magazine: "I just have to finish the job on October 12 and then, honestly, I think I'm the next in line. I'm the next one up.

"Daniel is there, he has the belt and congratulations to him, but I think I'm hot on his heels.

"There are certain milestones you have to reach before you align yourself with those in the upper echelons of the division.

"Getting through a 12-rounder, going to war, competing against a high-level competitor, taking shots, landing shots, I ticked all that off now and proved I can do them."

Following his draw with Clarke on 31 March, the fighter was unable to "chew properly" for several days afterwards.

He said: "Every muscle in my body ached, my face hurt and I was on Super Noodles for a good three days.

"I couldn't really chew properly. But it was all just bruising.

"I know everyone made a big fuss about the nose, but it was purely just skin, it was never broken.

"Being punched there made it look way worse than it was and I could still breathe through it.

"It wasn't in the way, it just made for some better photos, to be honest."