NICK Blackwell has vowed to make John Ryder look ‘levels below’ him when the pair go toe-to-toe for the British middleweight title later this month.

The 24-year-old Trowbridge fighter is set to bid for the Lonsdale belt for the third time in his career on May 30 at London’s O2 Arena, with the bill televised live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Blackwell, who is backed by Hennessy Sports and has linked up with Cardiff-based trainer Gary Lockett ahead of his make-or-break showdown with Londoner Ryder, is in confident mood.

“A lot of people have seen me as high risk, low reward for a long time now, so when I found out I'd been mandated for the British title and that I'd be fighting John Ryder, it came as a huge relief,” said Blackwell.

“It was a guarantee. I knew I'd get the fight. There'd be no avoiding me.

“After beating Ryder, I won't just be seen as high risk, low reward. I'll have the British title to my name, and that's a massive reward.

“I think he (Ryder) is a little bit beneath the likes of Martin Murray and Billy Joe Saunders but still a very good fighter.

“His last couple of performances haven't been great but that's probably because he was in there against opponents who were just trying to survive. It was hard for him to look good.

“I know he's a strong boy, he's fit, he's tough and he's not a bad boxer. He'll give me a tough fight but I've never been in the ring with somebody who was too strong for me or too hard for me. I don't see Ryder being able to push me around.

“I reckon I can get to him mentally, too. I think I can break him once I start walking him down and pushing him back.

“I plan on putting a lot of pressure on him and when he's hitting me with the kind of shots he's used to putting other people away with, and realises they aren't having an impact, he'll start to doubt himself. I'll also be hitting him back.

“Winning the British title at a massive venue like the O2 Arena is a dream come true. It doesn't get much bigger than that in this country.

“Also, the card is a big bill with a lot of good fights on it. Hopefully I can go out there, make a statement and steal the show.

“I'm going to show John Ryder up on the big stage. I'm going to make him look levels below me.”