NEWPORT lightweight Gary Buckland is ready to make history by becoming the city’s first European boxing champion in almost half a century.

Not since Dick Richardson won the European heavyweight title in 1962 have the city had a Euro king and Buckland, who fights for the British strap as well next Friday, insists he is ready to bring home the belts.

It’s the biggest and toughest fight of Buckland’s career against undefeated Englishman John Murray, tipped as a future world champion contender and undefeated in 28 professional fights.

However, Buckland is growing and growing in stature after a series of impressive wins and the 23-year-old insists he’s ready to shine on the biggest night of his career.

Having only lost once in 19 fights, Buckland is relishing the opportunity of trying to bring home the gold from Widnes Leisure Centre next Friday, live in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

“This means everything to me, it’s the biggest fight of my career by far and it’s the culmination of three years hard work,” he said.

“Being offered the opportunity to fight for a European title, it’s something else really.

“I know all about him, I’ve studied him. He’s a good, strong boy, a fighter who enjoys boxing on the front foot.

“But I have definitely seen weaknesses in him, things I can exploit in the fight.

“I know I am the underdog, people have the right to think that, but I am ready to surprise a few people.”

Buckland insists this fight comes at the right time, having matured in and out of the ring.

Now a husband and a father of two, Buckland has also been active in the ring after signing with Hatton Promotions, fighting in several 10-round fights and one that went a full 12 rounds.

And with opponent Murray fighting on the back of a nine-month hiatus, Buckland is confident the timing is just perfect for him.

“He’s been out for nine months, he’s had postponements and frustrations and that kind of thing affects a fighter.

“Hopefully it’ll be the case with John Murray, he’s bound to be a bit ring rusty after all that time,” he added.

“To be honest, I think he’s got doubts about this fight. They wanted to add it to the Newport bill (also set for Friday week) to top the bill, but Murray didn’t want to come down here, he wanted to be in front of his own fans.

“That’s just fine with me, I would fight in his bedroom if he was that bothered, I am no stranger to being the away fighter, I’ve been all over the place and I am used to it.”