Michael Jennings will aim to regain his British welterweight title on July 3 against John O'Donnell in Preston.

 

And Tony "The Bomber" Bellew will make the first defence of his Commonwealth light-heavyweight title on the card titled 3 Lions.

 

Jennings hasn't held the British title for more than four years after losing controversially to Young Mutley in January 2006.

 

But the defeat still rankles - he was beaten on a split decision - and he has long dreamed of regaining the Lonsdale belt.

 

He'll get the chance to do so in front of his own fans at the Guildhall, a venue where he successfully defended the British crown against Bradley Pryce in a thriller back in October 2005.

 

Jennings, 32, will have to beat current Commonwealth champion O'Donnell to do so, and become just the second fighter to defeat the southpaw traveller.

 

"It's fantastic news that I'm going to get the chance to win back the British title in front of my own fans," said Jennings.

 

"I should never have lost the belt in the first place.

 

"Everyone is talking about Kell Brook at the moment, but I believe I'm the best welterweight in the country right now.

 

"After I've beaten O'Donnell, Kell's more than welcome to try and prove me wrong."

Jennings was close to meeting Brook on July 3, but his Yorkshire rival was ruled out through injury.

 

Brook, who recently gave up the British title he had won outright in a little over a year, may still be in line to meet the winner of Jennings and O'Donnell.

 

A huge ticket seller and an all-action stylist, Jennings hasa 36-2 record and last year earned a shot at the vacant WBO title against Miguel Cotto.

 

Jennings, who suffered his only stoppage defeat in New York against the Puerto Rican, has returned with two wins since then.

 

O'Donnell is eight years younger at 24, and has a 23-1 record, his only defeat coming against Christian Salano in Las Vegas in 2007.

 

He has won eight straight since that reverse, lifting the Commonwealth title with a split decision win against Craig Watson, and successfully defending it against Tom Glover.

 

The quality-packed 3 Lions card will also feature rising welterweight hot-shot Ronnie "The Razor" Heffron, former Commonwealth Light-Middleweight Champion Matthew Hall, and Liverpool stars Joe Selkirk and Liam Smith.

 

Tickets for 3 Lions are priced at £30, £50, £75 and £100 and are available from:

 

The Preston Guild Hall Box Office

01772 258858


 

Ticketmaster

0844 844 0444


 

See Tickets

0871 220 0260