Bilel Jkitou has vowed to defeat WBC silver middleweight champion Sam Eggington and play for Coventry City the day after the contest.
The French middleweight has made the switch from boxing to football, after previously playing striker during his time at Paris side Red Star where he once bagged 15 goals in one season.
And he now takes on the biggest test of his boxing career against Eggington at the Coventry Skydome Arena on Friday night looking to cement his place as a challenger in the division.
But the 29-year-old has backed himself to defeat Eggington and "lace up" his boots for Coventry's clash with Middlesbrough the day after.
“It was a real pleasure for me to play and grow at Red Star, a club so prestigious in France for its level and its history," Jkitou said. I scored about 15 goals in one season at Red Star.
"When I beat Eggington and take his title and while I’m still in the city before I go home I’d be happy to help out Coventry City against Middlesbrough.
"Yes exactly I am a striker in football but also in boxing and you will see that on September 10 in Coventry.”
Jkitou has secured the WBC Mediterranean middleweight title during his time already in the sport, and is currently undefeated at middleweight with 15 professional victories.
And the Frenchman has revealed he has been backed by Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema during his career already, and has revealed some of the names he remains in contact with from his career in football.
“Karim wanted to come to see the fight but with the Covid and the fact that he plays often complicates matters," Jkitou said. "Karim and I met on social networks he is passionate about boxing, he liked what I did and he wrote to me and since then our friendship is very healthy, we give advice to each other, we encourage each other.
"I also had to go see him in Madrid but the Covid has complicated all these trips, but it will be done very soon. Regarding the fight against Sam he encouraged me to win.
“I played with Nkoudou who played at Marseille and for Spurs in England, who now plays at Beşiktaş. Yacine Bammou who played in Nantes and with the national team of Morocco. I played with Abdoulaye Diaby who played in Lille, Bruges, Beşiktaş. Mario Lemina, he is also a friend, we come from the same neighbourhood.”
Friday's Hennessy Sports bill includes the likes of Isaac Chamberlain, Stevie McKenna and River Wilson-Bent on Friday night from Coventry.
Another domestic middleweight clash is fast approaching as Chris Eubank Jr makes his ring return against Sven Elbir in October as he leads the new pool of boxing stars held by BOXXER and Sky Sports.
And the 31-year-old has labelled his trainer Roy Jones Jr as a "genius" ahead of the clash with his opponent at Wembley Arena.
