Brian Magee is being lined up for a world title eliminator with Robin Reid if he can successfully defend his IBO super-middleweight title on Saturday night at the King's Hall, Belfast.
Ulsterman Magee puts his title on the line against Germany-based Nigerian Jerry Elliott, with promoter Barry Hearn confident he is close to a summer showdown with Reid.
"Brian cannot afford to take Elliott for granted because he has been in with some world class fighters but I expect him to come through and then we'll try and finally get the fight with Reid," said Hearn.
"I have been knocking on Reid's door for over a year but hopefully he's finally going to agree to the fight and it would be an eliminator for one of the major belts, probably the WBA or IBF.
"Brian has done everything that has been asked of him so far and he's getting better and better and now he's ready to move on and get a big fight with Reid if he can beat Elliott."
Magee (28) will be making his seventh defence of the IBO title.