Macklin wants Birmingham revival

Macklin is in confident mood as he prepares for his British title fight.

British middleweight title challenger Matthew Macklin says he wants to make Birmingham a centre for British boxing.

The 26-year-old faces champion Wayne Elcock in a bout that has been dubbed the 'Battle of Brum' at the Aston Arena on Saturday night.

"This is a big chance to catapult myself into the world top 10," he said.

"I want to do for Birmingham what Ricky Hatton did for Manchester. Once I win this fight, I will be headlining more big bills in the city."

Macklin has won his last six fights since failing in a bid to win the British light-middleweight title against Jamie Moore in September 2006.

"The atmosphere will be electric," he said.

"Wayne has always been well followed and I've always been well supported, but this fight appeals to neutrals too. It's a real throwback to the great middleweight fights."

Macklin is trained in Manchester by Joe Gallagher after spells with both Ricky Hatton's former trainer Billy Graham and Floyd Mayweather Senior in America.