Bradford's Bobby Vanzie is determined to join some of boxing's greatest names by winning a coveted Lonsdale Belt outright.

The 25-year-old lightweight will get the third notch he needs if he successfully defends his British and Commonwealth titles against Londoner Stephen Smith at the Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre on Monday night.

Men such as current world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and past heroes Henry Cooper, Terry Downes, Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt are among the glittering list of Lonsdale Belt winners.

Vanzie spoke of his long-term ambitions with a world title being his ultimate goal.

He admits to being a traditionalist and wants to become the second Bradfordian to claim the distinguished honour in recent years - super featherweight John Doherty achieved the feat before retiring in 1992.

"I've always wanted to win a Lonsdale Belt as part of my natural progression," he said.

"I am a little old-fashioned if you like and believe the route to the top is to win the British title, a Lonsdale Belt, the European title, and then fight for a world crown.

"Some people cut out the European title and go straight for a shot at one of the tin-pot world titles, but I am not interested in that."

Vanzie's manager Tommy Gilmour has talked about the prospect of a world title fight next for his boxer if he defeats Smith.

But the likeable Bradfordian expects a slightly different chain of events to take place.

"I think I will have a warm-up fight next and then possibly have a crack at the European title which is currently held by Frenchman Julian Lorcy," he said.

"If I eventually fight for a world title I would like it to be one of the more coveted versions.

"My preference would be a shot at the WBU crown which is held by Colin Dunne. He is a hungry fighter like me and that would be a good fight."

Dunne is also in action on Monday's bill in an eight-round warm-up contest against the Frenchman Pascal Montelut.

Vanzie has been training intensively this week ahead of Monday's big fight in London which is being televised by Sky.

The Bradford boxer is confident that he is in perfect shape to successfully defend his title.

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