Starie has stepped in to replace American Antwun Echols

Starie suffered a major setback earlier in the year when he lost his British and Commonwealth titles to South African Andre Thysse.

But now the Suffolk fighter is set to take on IBF and WBA world champion Sven Ottke in Magdeburg on 14 June after the German's original opponent dropped out.

Starie suffers shock loss

"Negotiations are still ongoing, but we are almost there," said Starie's trainer Gordon Holmes.

Ottke is one of the longest-running world champions and one has to grab these things with both hands Starie's trainer

"This has come unexpectedly, but he is a professional and has been training. You can't get unfit in a fortnight!

"He has had a short break, but he will be ready. People have been queuing up to fight him since he got beat in South Africa.

"They were all avoiding him before. Perhaps people are thinking he is not as difficult to beat as they thought.

"This is a good opportunity. Ottke is one of the longest-running world champions and one has to grab these things with both hands."

Ottke, 35, remains undefeated after defending the IBF version of title 17 times.

He added the WBA crown when he out-pointed American Byron Mitchell in March.