PADDY Fitzpatrick still believes Luke Watkins will be fighting for the British title before the end of the year after the Swindon cruiserweight’s next bout was confirmed.

Unbeaten Watkins was due to have his seventh pro fight at last weekend’s postponed March Madness show in the town but will instead now focus on a bout at London’s York Hall on May 7.

Watkins’ stablemate at Fitzpatrick’s Gym, Sam ‘Sniper’ Smith, will also be in action at York Hall after missing out on his third fight last weekend.

Both ‘Duke’ Watkins and Smith also have proposed fights on July 16 and trainer Fitzpatrick is expecting big things for them before the end of the year.

“It’s a venue with a lot of history and to get up in front of the fans in London will be good for them. It’s an exciting prospect for the lads,” said Fitzpatrick.

“It’s time for Duke to move forwards towards the English and British titles. I said I want him to fight for the British title within 12 months and that hasn’t changed.

“We think that’s what he should be doing and this fight in London will put him up in front of people who will hopefully think the same way afterwards.

“These fights take Duke to 8-0 and Sniper to 4-0, so they’re both in a good place. I expect Sniper to be fighting for the Southern Area title within three fights.”

Although the postponement of the March Madness show was disappointing, Fitzpatrick insists his fighters will be champing at the bit when they return to the gym after a few days’ rest.

“That’s boxing. Things happen but if you get upset about it for too long, it won’t get you anywhere. You always need some kind of contingency plan and we have one,” said Fitzpatrick.

“They had a little bit of a break as they were exactly right to fight at the weekend. They will just rest the body a bit. They did one day with me last week and then they’ll be back in as normal.”

Fitzpatrick also confirmed that Eamonn O’Kane is raring to go again following his unanimous decision defeat to Tureano Johnson at Madison Square Garden in October.

The middleweight is now on the search of his next bout and Fitzpatrick thinks a future one against fellow Irishman Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan is a strong possibility.

“Eamon is rested and looking for trouble. He is back in training and we’re looking to make something happen. He needed a long rest after the last fight. It was a brutal fight,” said Fitzpatrick.

“Spike is a fight we’re looking at. We’d love to do that fight, Eddie Hearn has text me to say he’d love to do it too but it’s probably one we’re looking at more towards September.”