‘It’s a dream. It’s one I’m getting closer to’ – James Tennyson ready to bring big names to Belfast

Win live on Sky Sports this weekend and dreams may just start to come true for James Tennyson [27(23)-3(3)].

The Belfast lightweight has spent the last year forging a reputation as a hard hitting destructive lightweight to watch out for.

Last time out he secured the British title with another destructive performance over Gavin Gwynne – and he now says he is ready to step up to the next level to mix it with the best 135lbs fighters on the planet.

Ireland’s pound for pound biggest puncher intends on proving he is world level ready when he takes on unbeaten Canadian Josh O’Reilly [16(6)-0] at The SSE Arena, Wembley this Friday, live on Sky Sports and DAZN.

Secure victory in the world title eliminator and the Matchroom fighter wants Eddie Hearn to get him one of the big name lightweights, and tempt them to Belfast.

“I’m very highly motivated. I haven’t stopped thinking about a world title. Fighting at that level is where I want to be,” the former super featherweight world title challenger explained.

“I’m working very hard to get myself into that position again. It’s a stage of boxing I’ve wanted to get back at. I want to bring big fights back to Belfast. It’s a dream. It’s one I’m getting closer to.”

Friday’s clash on the Suanders vs Murray card isn’t an ‘final’ eliminator, but is a bout that should move ‘The Assassin’ up the rankings and toward a shot at a strap currently owned by Teofimo Lopez.

A big name or two may still stand between the Belfast banger and the pound for pound star, but that, it seems isn’t an issue.

“This is a big step forward, a world title eliminator,” adds Tennyson. “It can open some doors and opportunities for me. I know I can mix it with those guys. I want the opportunities with the big names.”

Tennyson vs. O’Reilly is part of a big night of action in London, Billy Joe Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) defends his WBO Super-Middleweight World Title against Martin Murray (39-5-1, 17 KOs), Watford Super-Bantamweight Shannon Courtenay (5-1, 2 KOs) looks to return to winning ways against Poland’s Dorota Nurek (6-1, 1 KO), Derby’s Zach Parker (19-0, 13 KOs) takes on Spain’s Cesar Nunez (17-2-1, 9 KOs) for the WBO International Super-Middleweight Title, New Malden Super-Middleweight talent Lerrone Richards (13-0, 3 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut against Finland’s Timo Laine (28-14, 12 KOs), Southampton’s Lewis Edmondson (3-0) clashes with Manchester’s John Telford (11-2-1, 2 KOs) over six rounds at Super-Middleweight and exciting Sheffield Featherweight Donte Dixon (4-0, 3 KOs) meets Welshman Angelo Dragone (5-1) over six rounds.

Picture Credit Mark Robinson Matchroom.