Harlem Eubank is hopeful a win over David Papot can lead to a shot at recently-crowned IBF welterweight world champion, Liam Paro.
Eubank is ranked at 14 with the IBF behind Paro, who dethroned Lewis Crocker last month.
The Brighton man faces Papot for the vacant IBF International welterweight title at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday, live on DAZN and believes victory could lead to a maiden world title attempt against the Australian.
“That’s the type of opportunity that this fight can lead to,” the 32-year-old told proboxing-fans.com.
“That’s another reason why it was important we took this type of opposition next.
“This can move me into the top five [of the IBF].
“I’ll be right there in prime position to fight for the world title.
“I’m not looking past David Papot, because we’ve seen he’s been in there with the champion and we saw what he can do.
“It’s an exciting fight.”
Eubank bounced back from a sole professional defeat to Jack Catterall last July by dominating Josh Wagner on points in November.
Papot was beaten by Paro in his last outing in September, but despite this Eubank believes the French southpaw poses a sterner test for him than his conquerer.
“I think it’s probably a tougher fight [than Paro],” he added.
“I think the way that Papot fights, if you check his resume he’s fought at middleweight.
“I think he’s beat the current middleweight European champion.
“He’s come down to welterweight, so he’s physically strong, he’s experienced, 33 fights.
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“We thought he edged it against Paro.
“It’s probably a tougher fight than the one for the championship, but one that’s going to give me that experience, that edge that’ll I’ll need going on to future fights.”
Watch the full interview with Harlem Eubank below:
