SCOTT Welch has landed a shock second crack at a world title, against the fighter he has always wanted to face.

The Shoreham heavyweight challenges fellow Brit and former stablemate Herbie Hide for the WBO crown at the Royal Albert Hall on April 3.

Welch, 30, was heavily outpointed by Henry Akinwande for the WBO belt in America two years ago.

"I'm absolutely over the moon to get another chance, especially against Herbie," he said.

"I've always wanted to fight him. He was handled the title on a plate. He would not have beaten Akinwande in America and I would have beaten Tony Tucker in my home town, just like he did."

Welch and Hide worked alongside together at the start of their careers in Barry Hearn's Matchroom camp.

"We used to share a house," Welch revealed. "I sparred with him and got an insight into him. I know a lot of things other opponents haven't seen.

"He is a funny guy. One minute he is okay, the next he turns against you. I would go to breakfast with him in the morning, then he would bar me from the gym in the afternoon."

Welch has suffered a wretched time since losing to Akinwande. His hopes of a European title shot against German Axel Schultz were wrecked on three occasions because of injuries to both men.

The ex-British heavyweight champion briefly considered retiring after ending a 14-month absence from the ring with an unconvincing points win against Manchester journeyman Michael Murray just five weeks ago.

"I'll be the complete underdog against Hide and that's the way I like it," added Welch. "Nobody is going to give me a chance."

Howard Eastman, the unbeaten British middleweight champion trained by Hove's Ronnie Davies, steps up to super-middleweight at the Elephant and Castle tomorrow night to fight Sheffield's John Penn for the IBO Continental title.

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