THE SKY’S the limit for British champion Nick Blackwell – that’s the opinion of trainer Gary Lockett as he helps the Trowbridge middleweight star plot his next move before the end of the year.

Former world title challenger Lockett guided Blackwell through his show-topping victory over John Ryder in May, in which the Wiltshire ace got his hands on the coveted Lonsdale belt, and his subsequent defence of that strap against Damon Jones in July.

A November 14 date has been mooted for ‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell, who turns 25 this month, to return to the ring, along with yet another potential match-up with divisive British number one Chris Eubank Jr, but nothing is rubber-stamped yet.

Lockett, who now trains Blackwell in Cardiff, says that there are plenty of potential challengers waiting to have a pop at his fighter and that he only sees scope for improvement as the Trowbridge champion continues to develop.

“We first thought that Nick would be fighting in October and that would have been great for me,” said Lockett.

“Nick could have fought at the end of October and then again at the end of December – he could have won the British title outright in the space of six or seven months, which would have been a marvellous feat.

“There was also a rumour about Eubank Jr but disappointingly, that never came to fruition.

“Maybe that could happen in a year or two when it’s an ever bigger fight.

“But we’re looking at November now, which could be a British title defence or a fight for an international title.

“I’m happy with that and one more good fight for him should set him up nicely going in to the new year.

“Because of his slow start, people are queuing up to fight Nick but it’s a 12-round fight.

“That start is something that we’re going to work on.

“He’s already the British champion, he’s got a good promoter behind him in Mick Hennessy and he’s in a good gym, surrounded by good people.

“The sky’s the limit for Nick, really.”