TOMMY Coyle has been given the biggest fight of his career after landing a shot at Martin Gethin for the British lightweight title.
The contest for the Lonsdale belt will hand the 23-year-old a chance to become the first-ever boxer from Hull to win the British crown, establishing him among the boxing elite.
The contest against Midlands boxer Gethin is expected to take place in the reigning champion's home town of Walsall, with April 27 pencilled in as a provisional date.
Coyle's promoter Steve Wood lodged his boxer's challenge for the title with the British Boxing Board of Control this week.
With the bid now passed by the BBBofC, official confirmation of the title fight is expected early next week.
"It's only just sinking in, this is absolutely massive news for me and is the fight I've been dreaming of for all these years," Coyle told the Mail.
"When you start out in boxing the dream and the ambition is always to win that Lonsdale belt. To be the first person from Hull to win one would make it all the more special.
"I cannot put into words what this news means to me, it's everything. Now I've got my shot, I intend to make the most of it.
"This is the biggest fight of my career and the toughest test by far because he's a quality boxer, but I'm ready for it."
Coyle won the WBC International Silver lightweight title in November, but is yet to face a boxer of Gethin's quality.
The 29-year-old is a former English champion and boasts a number of high-profile victories on his 24-win record.
The title shot now means Coyle has withdrawn from the boxing show in Hull on March 28, which is headlined by Samir Mouneimne and goes ahead with 10 bouts.
