Boxing: South Yorkshire fighters on the title merry-go-round

O'maison, 28, will be defending his English Super Lightweight title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on September 7.

If he wins, he will be on the pathway to greater things, says his coach Ryan Rhodes.

"Sam is defending his title in his next fight it is also a final eliminator for the British title," he said.

"If Sam (16-2-1) wins his next fight he becomes mandated to fight the British champion, whoever that might be.

"At the minute it is (Liverpool's) Robbie Davies Jr so then what Sam will probably do is vacate his English title, which leaves an opportunity for Lee to fight whoever is next in line for the English title."

So far so good - but Appleyard, 31, has a big task on first.

He faces Omari Grant (8-0) from Radford, Nottinghamshire, at the Magna Centre, Rotherham, on July 19.

His promoter Stefy Bull said: "Obviously Lee has got to win his next fight - he is boxing another undefeated fighter. So that is three undefeated fighters in his last three fights."

It is the first time the Bramley-born fighter had boxed in his home town of Rotherham and Appleyard will be chief support to Terri Harper, in her bid for a IBO super featherweight world title, when she goes up against Nozipho Bell.

Appleyard is without a win in his last two outings but Bull insisted his man is not on the slide and will compete hard for the English title eliminator against Grant.

"Lee (14-5-1) is in great form, he is as good as he has ever been."

He had been on the end of two controversial results but loved testing himself against unbeaten opponents.

Bull added there were definitely more big nights in Appleyard, a former Commonwealth title challenger who won the English Lightweight title two years ago.

Also on the Magna bill are: Callum Beardow, Jason Cunningham, Nicolie Campbell, Levi Kinsiona and Callum Hancock.