Brian Magee defends his European super-middleweight belt in Dublin on Saturday knowing that victory is likely to land him a world title shot.

Magee put himself back in the world title picture with a surprise stoppage of Mads Larsen to land the European belt last January.

The 35-year-old Belfast man defends his European title against Armenia's Roman Aramian at Dublin's National Stadium.

Aramian has lost eight of his 38 bouts and Magee should take the verdict.

Magee has been in the vicinity of earning world title fights before only for his hopes to be wrecked by defeats at the hands of former WBC champion Carl Froch and Vitali Tsypko.

The Belfast man fought superbly against Froch before being knocked out in the 11th round in their 2006 bout.

A year earlier, Magee had been on the receiving end of a dreadful points decision against Tsypko in a European title fight in Germany.

Magee's days as a super-middleweight seemed over as he moved up to light-heavyweight but he shifted down again after a controversial draw against Tony Oakey in a British title bout in Dublin.

In truth, Larsen was expected to comfortably handle Magee in Denmark last January but the Northern Irishman produced the performance of his life to reignite his hopes of a world title bout.

Magee insists that the prospect of a world title fight will not lead to a failure of nerve on Saturday evening.

"Everything hangs in the balance yet again but I'm kind of used to it by now," Magee told BBC Sport.

I believe I can be even better than I was against Larsen Brian Magee

"There is a brick wall if I don't get past him.

"I'm well aware of other boxers who were in similar circumstances and then came a cropper because they looked too far ahead.

"I won't allow this to happen because I know that a successful defence of my title will guarantee me a world title fight next time up.

"I've prepared well. I've been hard at it in the gym and when I go into the ring (in Dublin) I will be 100 per cent.

"If the sparring I have had is any indication of my form and condition then my fans are going to see something special again.

"I believe I can be even better than I was against Larsen.

"I feel that with Bernardo Checa's coaching I am still learning and improving and I will demonstrate that on the night."

If Magee does take care of business in Dublin, a fight with Germany's WBA super-middleweight champion Dimitri Sartison will be on the cards.

The Dublin bill will also feature a second European title bout between Spain's Kiko Martinez and Arsen Martirosyan.

Martinez knocked out Bernard Dunne in one round to win the European title in 2007 but then lost the belt in his first defence against England's Rendall Munroe.

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