Dodson has his sights set on the British Title

Liverpool super-middleweight Tony Dodson will make the first defence of his English title against Paul David in Sheffield on 21 June.

The former British Champion expects a tough encounter against David.

"It's a fight I know the right Tony Dodson has to turn up for. I won't be taking him half-heartedly," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"He's on a run of form having beat three of the top five light-heavyweights in the country."

If he comes through his encounter with David, Dodson revealed his long term aim is to recapture the British title.

It's a case of Joe Calzaghe and Carl Froch getting their act together Tony Dodson

He is currently ranked number four in Britain behind the trio of Joe Calzaghe, Carl Froch and Brian Magee.

Welshman Calzaghe is the current WBC super-middleweight champion with Nottingham's Froch the number one contender.

Dodson is hoping that Calzaghe and Froch will clash for the WBC title or that Calzaghe will vacate, leaving the way open for Froch to mount a challenge on the world scene.

Either scenario would make Dodson's path to the British title clearer.

"It's a case of Joe Calzaghe and Carl Froch getting their act together. If they're going to do it, do it," he said.

"If not vacate the title and move on so the best of the rest can fight for it, which is me and Brian Magee."

Dodson has previously lost to Carl Froch by knock-out when challenging for the British Title in November 2006.