BoxRec

TOWNSVILLE'S Les Sherrington will likely fight for his first ever WBO world title this year against Russian-born German Robert Stieglitz.

The doors have flown open for the 27-year-old super middleweight since his emphatic win over Wollongong former world champion Shannan Taylor in November last year.

Sherrington will defend the World Boxing Foundation and PABA titles he won in that fight this March against American former champion Antwun 'Kid Dynamite' Echols (31 wins, 12 losses) on the Gold Coast.

Following that, he is eyeing off a trip to Germany to take on the most significant opponent of his burgeoning career.

At 38 Echols is past his best but has a strong history following fights that went the distance against world champions Bernard Hopkins and Anthony Mundine.

Sherrington is not looking too far into the future and said the experience he will gain from the bout will set him up perfectly for the big fight against Stieglitz who has had 39 fights for 37 wins.

''I've been doing my homework on (Echols), he's not the sort of opponent you want to be going against without studying him, he's been around for years,'' he said.

''He's going to be able to teach me stuff, he's not an up-and-comer, he's an old veteran that can punch like anything.

''He's going to teach me things I couldn't buy.

''He's been in there two times and gone the distance with Bernard Hopkins, two months ago Hopkins did an interview where he said Antwun was one of the hardest opponents he had fought and he's fought Roy Jones Junior and Joe Calzaghe.''

Stieglitz's manager had initially offered the bout to Sherrington this month, but after a hiatus over Christmas the Gold Coast-based fighter was not fit enough to accept.

Back in full training now, Stieglitz's camp have declared the offer open for this year, setting up a dream showdown for the Townsville product.

''They've offered me 10 times my best purse, I want to win against Echols and then have one more fight (before fighting Stieglitz),'' Sherrington said.

''It's opened so many doors since that fight (against Taylor).

''Even my training has lifted to a new gear I didn't know I have, I have confidence in everything I am doing.

''There are a lot of big things happening in my life at the moment, I can't wait for it to begin again this year.

''(Fighting Stieglitz), it's mega, in saying that I will be defending my WBF and PAPA titles and also fighting for an international WBO title against Echols.

''My ranking will probably move to eight or nine in the WBO where I haven't been ranked yet. That will be another door open as well.''

Sherrington will fight Echols on March 6 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.