Boxing: Welch lines up title shot

Scott Welch, the former British champion, is set to face the unbeaten World Boxing Organisation heavyweight champion, Henry Akinwande, in Palm Springs, California, on 11 January.

Welch, 28, from Shoreham in Sussex, is the WBO's No 1 contender and he maintained his ranking with a points victory over Argentinian Daniel Netto in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Welch, who met his manager and promoter, Frank Warren, yesterday to confirm the details, said he would like more time but was confident he would beat the 6ft 7in Akinwande.

He said: "It will be the toughest fight of my life but, if I don't take it, I will probably not get a crack until June. The feeling of my trainer, Jim McDonnell is that I have to take my chance while it is there."