Boxer Mark Lloyd has world title shot

Shropshire boxer Mark Lloyd is set for a Christmas cracker - a shot at winning a world title in December.

The Shifnal light middleweight is set to meet Emanuele Della Rosa for a WBC version of the world title in Rome on Friday, December 10.

The contest has been agreed by the two comps, with final contracts expected to be drawn up and signed in the coming days.

"It would be massive for me and the biggest fight of my career," he said.

"It's a fight I could get really fired up for and, although it's not one of the major world titles, it would get me get going up the world rankings quickly if I won.

"I'm feeling really fit - I did a 13-mile run in 1hr 26 minutes around where I live earlier in the week so I just need to work on my sharpness over the next six week.

"I'm just hoping there's no late hitches and it goes ahead. I've been in this position a few times where it's looked I would get a big fight and then it has been called off late on."

Della Rosa, aged 30, has an impressive record after winning 24 of his 25 contests to date.

Lloyd, who is 35, has won 15 of his 18 professional bouts.