HUDDERSFIELD star Mark Hobson could have a major incentive when he puts his British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles on the line next month.
For a top Sports Centre show against Liverpool challenger Tony Moran looks likely to net the 27-year-old a crack at the IBO crown.
That's currently held by Carl Thompson, the Manchester fighter who regained the belt by beating rugged South African Sebastian Rothmann in Sheffield on Friday.
Hobson, trainer Chris Aston and manager Tommy Gilmour were present as Thompson won in nine rounds.
And Gilmour's wide-ranging contacts have helped set up a potential Hobson-Thompson showdown - as long as the Lindley man can prove his title credentials on a bill which also includes Huddersfield's Commonwealth flyweight champion Dale Robinson.
"The IBO have the strictest ratings system of any of the world-wide organisations," explained Aston. "Only their top 35 can fight for the title, and Mark is currently at 40.
"Points are awarded for successful title defences, so a good display against Moran would put Mark into the right kind of position for an IBO championship bid."
Part of the deal could be an agreement to defend against Rothmann in South Africa if Hobson can beat Thompson.
That would set up a rematch with the 39-year-old Springbok, who beat Hobson in a WBU title clash in Liverpool in 2001.
The ninth-round stoppage proved a defining moment for Hobson, who picked the positives from his painful experience and hasn't looked back since.
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