Tony Conquest (right) is looking forward to geting back into action in the ring next month

Rivalry between former training partners at Canning Town’s TKO Gym sets up a Southern Area cruiserweight title clash between unbeaten Tony Conquest and his old amateur opponent Leon Williams at York Hall on July 7.

The 27-year-old champion suffered a stoppage defeat as an amateur against Williams and is now looking forward to his chance of revenge on the Goodwin Promotions show.

Conquest, unbeaten in eight pro fights, has since moved his training base under coach Jason Rowland, while the 28-year-old Williams, his official contender, is guided by TKO boss Johnny Eames.

The pair were matched in January in a British title fight when Conquest was due to challenge titleholder Williams, before he was ruled out by the attack of shingles.

Instead, the champion took on late substitute Shane McPhillbin and looked a certain winner before the challenger staged a desperate last-round rally and forced the stoppage that earned a shock success.

Since then, McPhillbin has lost the title in a controversial defeat against Enzo Maccarinelli and now awaits a return against the Welshman.

So Williams, who has not fought since that defeat, and Conquest, out of the ring since last November, are paired in an intriguing title clash that tops the bill on the Steve Goodwin promotion at York Hall – with the likely prize of a showdown later this year against the winner of the Maccarinelli v McPhilbin contest.

Conquest pulled out of his top-of-the-bill fight against Scot Stephen Simmons at York Hall in April when his right wrist and hand became badly swollen.

“I must be jinxed,” sighed the unbeaten fighter, who has a history of injuries and illness that have limited his contests and cost him major fights in a three-year paid career.

“After trouble with both hands and knee ligaments, I had to pull out of a British title fight earlier this year because of shingles, then, before I was due to box in April, my right wrist was swollen to double its normal size.

“Fortunately regular treatment from the physio seems to have solved the problem and I am back in full training and looking to fighting in July.”