By Shaun Brown

British Welterweight contender Gary Corcoran (17-1, 7 KOs) is hopeful that a fight between himself and the WBO world champion Jeff Horn can be finalised in the next week or two.

Corcoran, his promotional stable-mate and British champion Bradley Skeete as well as the USA's Ray Robinson and Argentina's Adrian Luciano Veron made up a four-man shortlist to face Horn in November with Corcoran the apparent front-runner.

Ranked 11 by the WBO, Corcoran edged out Larry Ekundayo last time out to win the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight Title over 12 rounds in July.

And the 26-year-old couldn't believe it when he found out he was in the frame to face Horn who dethroned Manny Pacquiao six days before Corcoran beat Ekundayo.

"You have to pinch yourself," Corcoran told Boxing Scene.

"I couldn't believe it. I was over the moon when I found out. Hopefully the fight's on. I heard a few weeks ago I might be in the running for it and that's brilliant."

The potential opportunity for Corcoran came as a surprise to many, and probably none more so than Bradley Skeete who has greater claims at a shot against Horn given his number three ranking with the WBO, and a record that features bigger wins and names than that of Corcoran's. A source close to the situation told Boxing Scene last week "Maybe the pair of them should have fought and there would have been no dispute."

"I really do think I can beat him," Corcoran told 'Scene.

"I think it makes for a good fight. I do think this boy might walk on to a few shots from me.

"It's my birthday in November so it might be a nice birthday present for me."