Chris Keane has been handed a fight with an Eastern European who secured Dereck Chisora's challenges for European and world honours.
The Walsall cruiserweight meets Remigijus Ziausys in a six-rounder on March 23, on a BoxNation-televised, PJ Promotions bill at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, and is looking to put a quiet 15 months behind him.
Ziausys, who's only been halted once in 70 paid outings, extended Chisora over the same distance last year and then the former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion from London went onto box for European and WBC titles on the continent.
Though Keane isn't looking for that type of rapid progression up the ladder, the 26-year-old would like to make a charge towards the British title this year. That would, as it stands, mean challenging the man topping the card in the Black Country, Shane McPhilbin.
The Nottingham puncher crosses swords with former WBO world champion Enzo Maccarinelli in the maiden defence of his Lonsdale Belt and him and Chris have history. They boxed as amateurs, won by McPhilbin, and Keane helped the champion in the run-up to his title-winning effort against Leon Williams in January.
But the Errol Johnson-managed stylist, a former ABA heavyweight champion who's unbeaten in four [one quickly] and who's quickly got a reputation as a neat boxer with a fast, formidable jab, says he'd have no qualms about trying to take the East Midlander's title if he was in the mix for the belt later this year.
He knows he has some catching up to do first. Keane didn't box in 2011 and has been left behind while former amateur stars Jon-Lewis Dickinson and Matty Askin box in a cruiserweight title eliminator next month. But he knows victory over the 27-year-old Lithuanian could force his name back into the thoughts of his domestic rivals.
"It's been a frustrating time for me over the last year or so," he said. "I had three good fights in 2010 and then, due to one thing or another with injury or management issues, didn't get a sniff of any contests last year.
"But i'm now promoted by Frank Warren and Errol and PJ have me on the show close to home in 16 days and i want to put in a good performance in front of the television cameras, who might show my fight live.
"By the end of the year i'd like to think i'll be in a position to make a move on Britain's best," added the West Midlander.
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