 A confident Hide says Vassilev has no chance of winning |
Herbie Hide will warm up for a possible December showdown with British heavyweight champion Danny Williams by taking on Russian Alex Vassilev on 4 October. Hide's non-title bout is on the undercard of fellow Briton David Walker's challenge for the European light-middleweight title currently held by Roman Karmazin.
But the Norwich-based fighter believes it will pave the way to a title shot.
"This is it, the one fight I need before me and Danny finally get it on," said Hide.
"It will be the final exercise in shaking off the ring-rust, perfecting my timing and honing my sharpness.
 |  He [Vassilev] has no chance of winning - there is too much on the line for me to allow that |
"Vassilev will help get me in the condition to do what I have been dreaming of doing to Danny Williams for a long time."
Hide, 32, insists next month's fight against Vassilev at the Alexandra Palace in London will result in a routine win.
"It looks as if he may be able to take me a few rounds," said Hide, the former two-times WBO heavyweight champion.
"He has extended some useful fighters recently and holds a win over Mark Potter - but he has no chance of winning. There is too much on the line for me to allow that."
Williams mounted a controversial defence of his British and Commonwealth belts in Reading on Friday, stopping Michael Sprott in the fifth round. The challenger had lowered his guard to complain about receiving the latest in a series of low blows.
MMIX
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