British Masters Light-Middleweight champion Billy Bird returns to the ring on May 30, to face an opponent who took British, Commonwealth and European champion Billy-Joe Saunders the distance.

The Sudbury fighter puts his unbeaten 10-fight record on the line against Surrey’s Gary Boulden, a gutsy opponent who proved a tricky proposition for Lowestoft’s Anthony Ogogo, for five rounds, in 2013.

Boulden has a losing record, having lost 18 of his 27 bouts, but should not be underestimated according to Bird, who will go toe-to-toe with the 29-year-old in the main event at Mercy Nightclub, Norwich.

“He is a very, very good kid who went 10 rounds with Billy-Joe Saunders and also boxed Anthony Ogogo in Hull,” said Bird, who is sponsored by Tamdown, Swift, O’Neill Construction, GMB Finch and D&B Scaffolding.

“Anthony stopped him in the fifth but he is a very good name to have on my record.

“I have been training the last six weeks and I have done my homework on him and he is a good come forward fighter.

“He won’t make it easy for me but is the sort of opponent I need to be facing and I am expecting a tough night given how he fared against Ogogo and Saunders.”

Bird was last in action in February when he defeated Simon Henry, also in Norwich, to win the British Masters belt.

This fight is unlikely to be a defence of that belt for Bird, who is keen to go onwards and upwards.

The 22-year-old said: “I think it will be a non-title fight, over six rounds.

“If I can get through unscathed then I will wait and see what is offered next.

“I have been told that there are some big things to be offered to me and I want to go for a Southern Area or British title fight, something along those lines.

“For now, I told the promoters that I could sell enough tickets to be the main event and I should have between 90 and 110 people coming to support me, which will be great.

Tickets can be purchased from Billy Bird on 07717 315528 and are priced at £35 and £60. Doors open at Mercy Nightclub at 6pm.