WELSH boxing sensation Gary Lockett is set to fight in front of his home crowd next year. The Argus can reveal that Cardiff-born light-middleweight Lockett, 23, will be on home soil on February 9, 2002.

"Gary has always dreamt of fighting in Wales and that will happen in the New Year," Lockett's manager Brendan Devine exclusively told the Argus today.

Lockett's undefeated run continued on Saturday night at Bethnal Green, London, when the Welsh ace stopped opponent Chris Nembhard in the second round.

"Gary outboxed Nembhard - he ran away with it. Gary took a few right jabs, but he soon had Nembhard out cold," added Devine.

Lockett's quick demolition proved a problem, Devine adding: "We were hoping Gary would get a few more rounds, but Nembhard couldn't take his power. He wasn't in Gary's class."

And Devine revealed "Gary will box in Cardiff on February 9, but his opponent and the venue are yet to be confirmed.

"We will most probably have to get an international opponent in." Devine said Lockett would not run before he could walk. "It's one step at a time for Gary - we will step up slowly. We haven't really let Gary off the leash yet."

Devine praised Lockett's Welsh supporters who supported him at the weekend. "To hear and see the Welsh fans was fabulous for Gary and he really appreciated that." Devine added that Lockett wasn't in the same bracket of fellow pros who call names to opponents. "Gary doesn't call fighters. It's a hard enough game as it is," said Devine. He revealed that Lockett could also be set to fight in the USA in the New Year.

"We are not going to rush Gary - but America has been mentioned. People are suggesting all sorts of things to us right now - but you never look too far", said Devine. He added: "I think Gary will go all the way. There is only one thing that will stop him and that's an injury."

And Devine says the sky's the limit for Lockett. "I expect Gary to be challenging for the top titles 12 months from now," he said.

lMike Tyson would fight Lennox Lewis tomorrow given the chance, the American heavyweight's trainer said today.

Instead he will have to wait probably until April 6 for the world title showdown. Tyson is currently training in Arizona in preparation for his warm-up fight against Ray Mercer in January. His trainer, Tommy Brooks, believes Tyson has re-discovered his appetite.

"He's got his hunger back without a doubt," Brooks said. "I can't imagine Mike flipping hamburgers somewhere or throwing trash cans. For his legacy he has to get his title back.

"When Lewis got the title back, Tyson said 'Can I get him tomorrow?' That's the type of fight Mike loves to see and that makes him want to meet him all the more. "Mike will have just one fight before Lewis, not two as he's in much better shape than he thought he would be at this stage.

"He realises he's not getting any younger."