IF THE right strings are pulled, Trowbridge’s Nick Blackwell could end up fighting for the British middleweight title in his home town this summer.

After Billy Joe Saunders relinquished the Lonsdale belt, the British Boxing Board of Control have paired up 24-year-old ‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell (16-3-1) with Londoner John Ryder (20-1) for the now-vacant title, with purse bids due in by April 8.

Blackwell’s Contender Gym trainer Mark Kent says that if his fighter’s promoters, Hennessy Sports, outbid Ryder’s Matchroom Sport, a showpiece British title showdown hosted at Trowbridge’s town park could be a possibility.

“We need to see what happens with the purse bids but if Hennessy win it, we could look to try and get the fight in Trowbridge,” said Kent.

“There have been a few discussions about having it at the town park in a big top. It’s an option that could happen.”

A showdown with ‘The Gorilla’ Ryder, who defended the IBO inter-continental title against Billi Godoy in his last outing, would be Blackwell’s third shot at the Lonsdale belt.

In June 2011, the former English champion was beaten by world title challenger Martin Murray before being outpointed by the unbeaten Saunders in December 2012.

Blackwell is confident of making it third time lucky.

“The fight’s been made, so it should happen. I think that he’ll want the fight too,” said the Trowbridge ace, who was last in action when he beat Nathan King in Kent last October.

“I will beat John Ryder – 100 per cent. People might look at him as the favourite because of his record, but I think he’s quite a basic southpaw. He’s weak and he doesn’t seem to believe in himself. But I know that I need to win this fight because if I don’t, it’ll be ‘where do I go from here?’.

“I just want a date now, so that I can focus my head. I’m feeling really fit and confident and I can’t wait for this fight.

“If Hennessy win the purse bid, it would be great to have home advantage but if Matchroom win it, I could end up fighting on Sky Sports and winning as the away fighter would help get my name out there.”