Terry Flanagan aims to be crowned WBO world lightweight champion in front of his home fans when he faces Jose Zepeda at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester later this summer.

The fight which takes place on July 11 marks 10 years since Ricky Hatton’s win over Kostya Tsyzu and Flanagan will be looking to emulate his hero when he takes on his American rival.

“It’s a dream to fight for the world title on my own doorstep and it will be an electric atmosphere on the night at the Velodrome,” said Flanagan.

"Ricky Hatton is a big hero of mine and I was at his fight against Kostya Tszyu and that was one amazing night. If I put in a top performance and win the title on the 10th anniversary year of that fight it will be an incredible feeling."

Standing in the way of the title is knockout specialist Zepeda, who is ranked fifth in the WBO, stopping 20 out of 23 victims including 16 KO’s within the first three rounds.

But Flanagan is convinced the home crowd will give him the push he needs to succeed on the night.

“I’d have fought Zepeda anywhere because to get a world title fight has been my dream since first putting on the gloves, but my promoter Frank Warren has really pulled out all the stops to get me my chance in my backyard as he believes in me and I’ll repay that faith by becoming world champion,”

Flanagan holds an unbeaten record of 27 fights with 10 KO’s and in his last fight defeated Stephen Ormond to claim the WBO European crown, when the Irishman was disqualified in the 10th round due to persistent use of the head.

However, the 25-year-old is under no illusions as to the task which faces him in July.

“I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy fight, it’s the biggest and hardest night of my life and I’m going to train and prepare for this like never before and do everything I can to win that belt” he added.

"Zepeda can certainly punch, he’s stopped nearly all of his opponents with the majority coming inside three rounds. But it’s not just about being able to punch at this level - what happens when I start dragging him into the later rounds and he’s going into uncharted territory? Can he cope with the pace I’m going to set? These are all questions he’s going to be asked of him and remember I can bang as well."

A top class line-up on the show will also feature middleweight ace Billy Joe Saunders as chief support in a warm-up contest as he closes in on WBO world champion Andy Lee for an autumn showdown.

Exciting Cromer talent Liam Walsh defends his British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles against mandatory challenger Troy James as continues on the path to world glory.

Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler, the Former IBF world bantamweight champion, makes his highly-anticipated comeback as he looks to get back on track with a history making second world title at super-flyweight still in his sights, while Chorley ace Jack Catterall makes the second defence of his WBO Intercontinental light-welterweight title.