Shropshire's Mark Lloyd set for EU welterweight title shot

Fired up Shropshire boxer Mark Lloyd has arrived in Italy ahead of the biggest night of his sporting life, writes JAMES GARRISON.

The Shifnal plumber caught an early morning flight to Cagliari yesterday ahead of his European Union welterweight title shot against home favourite Luciano Abis tomorrow night.

Lloyd, who has won 15 of his 18 contests, faces a huge battle against Abis who has been beaten just once in 32 bouts — but the 35-year-old believes his preparations couldn't have gone any better.

"I feel in great shape and I'm ready to go," Lloyd told StarSport from Italy.

"I did some light running yesterday and it will be the same today and I just can't wait for fight time."

Lloyd has flown to Italy with his trainer and promoter Errol Johnson and cuts man Bob Plant.

And he admitted the difficulties of winning on foreign soil have already become clear.

"Our accommodation gets sorted out by the promoters over here and let's just say it's not the best," he added.

"The hotel is more like a hostel but it's quiet which is the main thing." Lloyd is due to weigh in at 5pm Italian time, (4pm BST) today.