MICHAEL LOMAX has told British welterweight champion Kell Brook that he will ruin his hopes of claiming a Lonsdale belt outright, when they meet in a title fight on July 18. He meets the Sheffield fighter - who has already picked the nickname Special K

MICHAEL LOMAX has told British welterweight champion Kell Brook that he will ruin his hopes of claiming a Lonsdale belt outright, when they meet in a title fight on July 18.

He meets the Sheffield fighter - who has already picked the nickname 'Special K' in building-up a 19-fight unbeaten record - on the undercard of Amir Khan's WBA light-welterweight title challenge against Andreas Kotelnik at the MEN Arena in Manchester.

However, Lomax, who won amateur honours during his days at West Ham BC, aims to prove the champion is less than special and insisted: "Brook hasn't fought anyone in my class and he's in for a shock when we meet.

"I am going to take that British title, and Kell's only keeping it warm for me.

"I'm the better boxer, and everyone will see that when we meet at the MEN Arena."

Meanwhile, Brook, touted by his home town fans as their most talented fighter since Prince Naseem Hamed, admitted he has respect for his challenger - but still thinks he will keep his title.

"I see the Lomax contest as the toughest fight of my career," said Brook, who has stopped 12 out of his 19 opponents.

"I know Lomax has shown he is a quality operator, but once he tastes my power there will only be one winner.

"I've had an early bath in all my British title fights, and I'm planning another one on the night of July 18."

Lomax is training for his contest alongside British super-featherweight champion Kevin Mitchell, who is booked for a supporting contest on Frank Warren's big Manchester promotion.

Mitchell, also trained by Paul Cook, faces an eight-round clash, knowing he is already scheduled to challenge Puerto Rican Roman 'Rocky' Martinez for the WBO world superfeatherweight crown in London two months later.

The hard-hitting British champion, with 28 straight wins, appears on the undercard that also includes Frank Warren's Olympic trio of James DeGale, Billy Joe Saunders and Frankie Gavin.