Steven Donnelly [5(1)-0] is looking to use the Ultimate Boxxer tournament as a springboard toward some of Matchroom’s light middleweight prospects.

The keen-to-kick-on Ballymena fighter was adamant he wanted in on the BT Sport-broadcast, Prizefighter-styled, one-night knockout tournament because he felt it had the potential to fast track him toward next level fights.

Being more specific as the tournament draws closer, he feels it could prove a springboard to a British title shot and some of the major English names on Sky Sports.

“Hopefully if I win there will be bigger fights in the pipeline for bigger purses,” Donnelly told BoxNation.

“There are guys in England like British Champion Ted Cheeseman, Scott Fitzgerald and Anthony Fowler. I would love to win the British Title, although I know how hard it is to win.”

Taking on any of those three just over a year into your pro career would be notable and a massive opportunity for the Olympian.

However, to be in the frame for such fights, he has to win Ultimate Boxxer this weekend.

‘The Donn’ is favourite to emerge victorious and is confident, but is aware the format is the perfect surprise conduit.

“My style is suited to these formats, but I know how hard it’s going to be to win the competition. The rest of the guys will be just as hungry and ambitious. They know there is a big prize at the end of the night.

“It is not going to be easy for me and I am just forgetting about that tag of being the bookies’ favourite. There is pressure there, but I am going to go out and give it my all.

“There are going be nerves, expectancy, but I am looking forward to it and just getting the job done. It is hard being favourite because in this format anything can happen, someone goes gung-ho and it only takes once punch.

“There are some big hitters in it so I need to stay smart, switched on and must do what I have got to do,” he explained.