Crawley welterweight Ross Minter is not yet ready to talk about winning titles.

He launches 2003 with his ninth professional bout against journeyman Karl Taylor at Wembley Conference Centre tomorrow night.

Victory would make it eight wins out of nine and would enhance his growing reputation in the business.

But Minter has revealed it could be 2004 before he is challenging for a belt.

Minter, 24, said: "It is a big year for me. Really I just want more experience. I need to be fighting regularly.

"Last year it was hard because I had lots of time off. I only had three fights. Your fitness levels are going up and down.

"This year I have got to have seven, maybe eight, fights and then hopefully be looking for a title at the beginning of next year.

"I could maybe go for it before the end of this year but I just want to get the experience and it will come when I am ready for it."

Minter, the son of former undisputed world middleweight champion Alan Minter, beat Taylor on points over four rounds at Bethnal Green two years ago.

Taylor, 37, is a veteran of 83 fights - only 15 wins - but will provide a tough test for Minter over six rounds.

Minter said: "I have a bit more experience now and hopefully I will get rid of him earlier this time.

"I am fitter as well. I have got a new fitness coach (David Richardson) and he is really impressed with me."

Minter will be back in action in Portsmouth on March 29 on the bill of Tony Oakey's WBU light-heavyweight title showdown with Hove's Neil Linford.

Hailsham-based Wayne Alexander had been pencilled in to fight Argentinian Hector Javier Velazoo for the interim WBO middleweight title on that show.

However, Alexander does not want to fight in Portsmouth and the contest will be scheduled for mid-April in London.