Michael Alldis has his sights set on a second crack at winning a world title.

First, though, the 32-year-old Crawley fighter must overcome a tricky second defence of his British super-bantamweight title against Scotsman Drew Docherty at York Hall, Bethnal Green, tomorrow evening.

It is almost a year to the day since Alldis won the title with a thrilling points verdict over Patrick Mullings at the York Hall, his favourite boxing venue.

Since then, Alldis made an undistinguished first defence in Glasgow in January against Shaun Anderson, whose negative tactics made for a woeful night of boxing.

Docherty was immediately lined up as the next opponent for Alldis but it has taken ten months for the fight to come to fruition.

A combination of injury, a family health scare and venue problems meant the contest has been postponed several times.

Tomorrow night the pair finally go head to head and although Alldis is extremely confident of victory he knows he must be on his guard against the 34-year-old from Condorrat, who is a former British bantamweight champion.

Docherty's last fight was over a year ago, when he lost a European super-bantamweight showdown with Michael Brodie.

Earlier in the year, Alldis said: "Drew Docherty is a finished article. If he really wants to fight me, he will take the same beating as Brodie gave him.

"I am not worried about Drew Docherty. He has taken some hard beatings and I think he should have retired after Brodie beat him."

This week, Alldis was not so quick to rile his opponent. He is still confident of victory, but has grander thoughts on his mind.

Alldis said: "I want to get Drew Docherty off my mind and as quick as possible.

"Over the last few weeks my training has been exceptionally good. Mentally and physically, I am in perfect shape.

"Winning the Lonsdale belt outright is my main concern but I am looking ahead of that at a European title, which I really want, and I want another shot at the world title."

If he beats Docherty, a European title shot is a realistic aim, especially as Brodie has now vacated the crown.

After that, who knows? Alldis has previously fought for the IBO world title, losing to Simon Ramoni of South Africa in December 1998.

But Alldis explained: "The IBO title is meaningful, but I took the fight at three days' notice and had no preparation.

"I had to lose 8lb in three days and I have no chance of winning that title. I would like another chance."

Father-of-two Alldis has sparred over 100 rounds in preparation for this fight, working with Ugandan super-featherweight Isaac Zanaduca and London bantamweight James Yelland, whose style is similar to Docherty's.

The last few months has been frustrating, especially as the Sussex fighter is keen to get the Shaun Anderson fight out of his system.

He said: "Shaun Anderson didn't want to fight me. Maybe I have to take some blame, but he was in his own town, he had the chance of winning the Lonsdale belt and he didn't want to fight.

"The way I have been training for this one is for all out action and to maintain that for as long as possible, whether it be five rounds or 12.

"Yes, it has been frustrating over the last few months. I have had a couple of cancellations but I believe they were for a reason. This fight wasn't meant to happen earlier in the year. I am ready to take him on now."

Docherty, who comes from Tommy Gilmour's stable at the St Andrew's Sporting Club in Glasgow, made his professional debut 11 years ago and has a record of 16 wins from 23 fights. Approaching his 35th birthday, he is expected to retire if he loses to Alldis.

As for Alldis, there is no doubt who will win. The Crawley man has never lost at Bethnal Green and is eyeing up victory inside the distance tomorrow, when the fight will be televised live on Sky.

He said: "I have prepared for 12 rounds but something gives me a sneaky feeling that after round eight Docherty will be no more."

THREE Sussex fighters will be at Bisley in Surrey tomorrow for the Southern Counties round of the All-England Novices Championship .Cruiserweight Steve Reed, middleweight Peter Saar and light-welterweight Dean Larter, all from Savages ABC, will be bidding to claim a place in the national quarter finals.