CHAMPION Nick Blackwell already has his reward in mind should he successfully defend his British middleweight crown against Damon Jones this month - a well deserved holiday.

Trowbridge's 'Bang Bang' Blackwell, who stopped London's John Ryder to win the strap in May, takes on unbeaten Jones in a quick-fire first defence at Derby Arena on July 25 live on Channel 5.

A busy summer will see the 24 year old back in the ring just eight weeks after his finest career moment at London's O2 Arena, but Blackwell is ready to take care of business before putting his feet up at last.

“I want to have the fight, retain my title and then look at having a holiday for a couple of weeks,” he said. “I haven't had a holiday for six years now.

“I've literally been in the gym all the time – I'll either be preparing for a fight that happens or preparing for a fight that never ended up happening. I had a couple of holidays booked but then had to cancel them when I was offered fight dates.

“I want to go somewhere that's hot and has lots of stuff to do.”

Southpaw Jones offers an interesting challenge to the new champion, who has maintained his hard work in training with Cardiff-based trainer Gary Lockett.

“I've been sparring southpaws since November, so nothing's changed really,” said Blackwell. “I've got a couple of tall southpaws in at the moment who are heavier than me. Everything has gone perfectly.

“I'm coming off the John Ryder fight and I was fit for that, so I've just got fitter and stronger in recent weeks. I don't feel like I've overtrained, either. I feel even better now than what I did for the John Ryder fight. I've also been able to spend a little bit more time with Gary Lockett, which is important."

“I didn't really know a lot about Jones at first. He's been fighting on small hall shows and has flown under the radar a bit. But you can't read too much into stuff like that. You can't underestimate him based on that.”

Blackwell's six-year pro career is on a steep upward curve after his O2 triumph, his link-up both with Lockett and promoter Mick Hennessy paying dividends as he prepares to headline a bill on national terrestrial television.

“It's mental,” he added. “When I signed with (promoter) Mick Hennessy, it was massive for me. I thought, great, I'm fighting on Channel 5. But now, less than a year later, I'm headlining an event on Channel 5. It's crazy. It's all happened so quickly.

“I've had a few knock-backs in my career but I've persevered and now I'm finally here. Now I don't want to do something stupid and lose that title. That's why I'm training harder than ever and why I'm hungrier than ever.”

Tickets for Blackwell v Jones can be purchased from the Derby Arena Box Office on 01332 255800 or by visiting derbylive.co.uk.

The fight will be televised live on Channel 5 on July 25.