Brian Magee is to fight Hassine Cherifi on 22 November

Brian Magee is to make the sixth defence of his IBO super-middleweight title against Hassine Cherifi of France on 22 November.

The fight will be top of the bill at the King's Hall in Belfast, the first time Magee has appeared at his home city's best-known boxing venue.

Promoter Barry Hearn was in Belfast on Monday to announce details of Magee's opponent who is a 35-year-old former European middleweight champion.

Hearn is understood to be lining Magee up for a crack at the WBC Championship next year.

Before that, however, he may face former world champion Robin Reid.

"This is a big step-up in class for me," said Magee.

"I have only heard about the great boxing nights in the King's Hall. This will be my first time at a boxing show there and to be top of the bill is fantastic."

Hearn said Magee had the potential to go to the very top on boxing.

"It will be a tough fight for Brian, this guy Cherifi has been in with five world champions.

"But Brian is a world class fighter with the ability and potential to go to the very top of the tree. He could be the next major sporting hero of Northern Ireland."