Zolani Tete hopes to impress in Belfast next month as he seeks a world-title showdown with home favourite Ryan Burnett.
Tete claims that Burnett - who defends his IBF belt and challenges for the WBA strap against Zhanat Zhakiyanov in his home city on October 21 - has so far refused to fight him.
But South African Tete (25-0, 20KOs) hopes that if he impresses against Siboniso Gonya in Belfast on November 18, then a mouth-watering unification clash with Burnett can finally be made.
"I'm delighted to be making the first defence of my world title in Belfast," said Tete, now a two-weight world champion after his victory over Ellesmere Port's Paul Butler back in 2015 to win the IBF super-flyweight crown.
"I'll be looking to make a statement in Ryan Burnett's hometown as I know this is a fight my team tried to make for me but he didn't want to know. I have the beating of all of the bantamweight world champions.
"I believe myself and Burnett would provide fans with a brilliant fight, I know the people Belfast love their boxing and hopefully this is a fight that can be made when we both come through our next fights. For now all of my focus is on Siboniso Gonya on November 18.
"He is a good fighter and I am looking forward to testing myself against him. He is a fellow South African but there are no friends inside the ring. I hope he will put up a good fight but I will be heading back to South Africa with my belt around my waist."
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