Frenchman Djamel Yacoubin is all that stands between Thai boxer Rich Cadden and the European Wako-Pro light-welterweight title - and Anglo-French niceties will be the last thing on the York fighter's mind.

The 29-year-old goes for glory on a packed 12-bout card at Leeds Town Hall tomorrow night against world number four Yacoubin.

And while he may be in uncharted territory in a new weight division having gone up from lightweight this year, he is confident of making the breakthrough.

Yacoubin's credentials rank him high in the reputation stakes. He is Europe's number one and the number four in the world and comes from the same Paris gym that has spawned fighting legends such as Jean Charles Skarbowski, Farid Villaume and Perry Ubeda.

But Cadden's preparation, which included an impressive points win over Ashley Guishard in April and a world championship silver in the winter, has spurred him on in the mental stakes.

"I'm feeling really confident," he admitted. "Ashley Guishard is a world-ranked fighter and I beat him pretty convincingly on points back in April and I'm aware of the type of player Yacoubin is.

"I'm starting on the crest of a wave and I'm always looking at where I want to be all the time."

Cadden's fight is the tenth on a card of 12, culminating in a second European title match between stablemate Andy Howson and Sebastien Oceania in the 56kg bantamweight division, plus a super prestige bout for World and European title holder Liam Harrison, also from the Bad Company gymnasium.

Tickets, priced from £20 are available by calling 0113 224 3801.

Updated: 11:05 Saturday, June 25, 2005