Marc Callaghan aims to continue his recent career momentum when he fights Esham Pickering for the vacant British super bantamweight title on 16 March. The Barking boxer admits his career suffered after the death of his brother John in October 2002, but he recovered to capture the English title last year.
"Esham's a massive favourite," said the 29-year-old Callaghan.
"But I've not boxed at my full potential yet, and I've not been helped by a few problems in my personal life."
Callaghan lost five of his seven fights following the loss of his brother to Multiple Sclerosis before outpointing Sean Hughes for the English crown last March.
"I've been training even harder for this one than I would normally because it's a great opportunity.
 | As good as Thaxton is, I have identified a few weaknesses |
"I've just had a baby son called Charlie and that has given me even more incentive to win this fight."
Pickering lost his British, European and Commonwealth belts to Michael Hunter in 2005, lost to current European king Bernard Dunne last year and is looking to get back into world contention.
Callaghan has fought former IBF world title challenger Michael Hunter twice, holding him to a draw in 2002 before being stopped in 2004.
He was also bombed out in one round by Jackson Asiku in a clash for the vacant Commonwealth featherweight crown in 2005, a fight he took at late notice.
Stoke's Scott Lawton says he is not intimidated at the prospect of challenging Jon Thaxton in the British lightweight champion's own backyard. Lawton, 30, fights Thaxton at Norwich Showground on 16 March.
Lawton said: "Fighting in Norwich doesn't worry me. I went to Doncaster and beat Steffy Bull on his own turf for the English title.
"I've been watching a lot of Thaxton's fights and, as good as he is, I have identified a few weaknesses."
Lawton has won 20 and lost two of his 23 pro encounters, with just four knockouts, while Thaxton, a former opponent of Ricky Hatton, is 31-7 with 16 KOs.
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