YORK professional boxer Danny Holmes is preparing for a "tough night at the office" next Friday as he puts his unbeaten record on the line in a title fight.

The "Tazmanian Devil", who trains at York Masters Boxing Club, takes on the experienced Ben Wager at Barnsley Metrodome for the vacant Central Area lightweight belt - in his first-ever fight up to 10 three-minute rounds.

Wager will have home-town advantage on a show promoted by his manager, Carl Greaves, and also has experience of going 10 rounds in good company. Holmes had only six weeks' notice for the fight and drops down a weight division too from light-welterweight, but trainer-manager Glenn Banks stressed their camp was full of confidence.

Banks said: “It promises to be a very tough night in the office for Danny as he's not boxed past the four three-minute round limit yet, and Wager has been to 10 twice and boxed in much higher company. He also has home town advantage on his manager’s promotion.

“But training has gone so well, including fantastic sparring, and we are very confident of winning.”

Holmes, who holds a professional record of 5-0, was scheduled to box last month at Elland Road, Leeds, but his scheduled opponent pulled out on fight week.

Banks said that disappointment "was quickly forgotten about" when he was offered the opportunity to box for the Central Area title at the 9st 9lb limit.

He added: “Holmes’ training camp and attitude has been fantastic, training twice a day six times a week on top of holding down a full-time job and also having family time with his wife and three children.”

York's Harry Matthews, who is also managed by Banks, fights on the same show, against Barnsley's Ben Davies, in a final eliminator for the Central Area super-middleweight title, also over 10 three-minute rounds.

Banks said this fight would be "an absolute barnstormer".

Holmes is sponsored by York Building Services Ltd, The Terrace, Deans Property Maintenance and Future Landscape.

Tickets for the show, which has been billed as "Proper Fights", cost £35 and are available from Holmes on 07712 435985 and Matthews on 07973 737964.