Lockett's fight with Rhodes is eagerly anticipated

The 29-year-old Cwmbran man was one of Britain's hottest boxing properties after winning his first 16 fights.

A loss of direction culminated in a hammering from Yuri Tsarenko in 2002, but now he says he is back on track.

"It's been a long road - we all battle our own demons - but every big win builds confidence," he told BBC Sport.

"The key to me is to relax, then I can land my knock-out punches, I've always known I've got that power.

I'm not a run-of-the-mill boxer, I lack a lot of confidence in myself Gary Lockett

"Ryan's a good opponent, but I'm very confident of a win and will then look to bigger and better things, I'm moving up the rankings and want a world title."

Lockett's stunning early career at light middleweight began in 1996 and seemed to be peaking in 2002 with a devastating fourth-round KO of Kevin Kelly.

But just two months later he lost a split decision to Tsarenko, a bout that left him a bloody mess, needing 40 stitches and treatment for a broken knuckle.

"I'm not a run-of-the-mill boxer," admitted Lockett. "I'm maybe like Danny Williams, I lack a lot of confidence in myself.

Lockett needed 40 stitches after his Tsarenko mauling

"In 2001 I thought everything was going well, but I beat myself against Tsarenko.

"I thought about quitting, but I realised I'd been doing it all wrong - training, diet, everything."

The Welshman - whose boxing hero is 'Sugar' Ray Leonard - stepped up to middleweight, and claimed a gutsy points win in a 2003 rematch with Tsarenko.

He has been unbeaten since, claiming the WBU belt with a stunning first-round knockout of Gilbert Eastman - a late stand-in for the injured Rhodes - in Newport in March.

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That took the 'Pocket Rocket's' record to 27-1 (19 KOs), and he is now eager to get in the ring with Rhodes (a bout that can be heard live on BBC Radio Wales).

"It's been my best preparation ever," said Lockett. "I've done most of my work this time in Enzo Calzaghe's gym in Newbridge because my car was written off.

After a fight you need to have a break with a few beers and some good food Gary Lockett

"But I'll sharpen up with my trainer Brian Hughes in Manchester for a week from Monday.

"It was hell to get back into it to start with, after a fight you need to have a break with a few beers and some good food.

"But by 8 July I'll have had a good eight-week training camp and five weeks of sparring, I'll be more than ready."

Sheffield-man Rhodes, known as 'Spice Boy', has three losses on his 38-fight record (23 KOs).

Two of those came on the two occasions the 29-year-old southpaw has fought for the WBO middleweight title, in 1997 and 1999.