Franklin Ignatius has revealed he would relish the opportunity to take on fellow local heavyweight Johnny Fisher.

The 28-year-old from Dagenham took another step on his shout to meet ‘The Romford Bull’ after an eight-round points success over local favourite Steve Robinson at the Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle on Saturday.

Former Repton ABC rep Ignatius returned to the same North East venue where in December he secured a six-round points victory over Wolverhampton’s Hosea Stewart in a rematch, after their 38-38 draw in July 2022.

Fighting on the undercard of Josh Kelly’s successful WBO International super-welterweight title defence over Argentina’s Gabriel Corzo televised on DAZN, he was a clear 79-74 winner on referee’s Ron Kearley scorecard, moving to 7-0 and giving praise to a very game opponent, who dropped to 6-2, for his toughness.

“He (Robinson) impressed me with how tough he was,” Austrian-born Ignatius told Boxing Social YouTube channel.

“I was really trying to get him out of there, I was hitting him with big shots but he soaked them up. I’ve got to give him full credit and I knew after how tough he was after watching him fight Nick Campbell.”

Robinson had demolised Scottish heavyweight champion and former Glasgow Warriors rugby player Campbell in four rounds at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium in December.

“I thought this time he really showed his guts,” added Ignatius. 

“He hung in there when he was struggling, found a way to hold on and try to force the issue.

“I generally believed I would get him out of there but I couldn’t do it. It proved how tough he was so I can’t take that away from him.

“A win always helps but ultimately I have to keep pushing to see what happens next. 

"Myself and Wasserman Boxing are building a great relationship thanks to Kalle (Sauerland). They are willing to work with me, give me big opportunities and I’m more than grateful.”

It could take a while in terms of negotiations before Ignatius can share the ring with Fisher, who is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. 

The 24-year-old, unbeaten in nine outings, meets Harry Armstrong for the vacant Southern area heavyweight title on August 12 at The O2, North Greenwich on the undercard of Anthony Joshua-Dillian Whyte II.

“He (Fisher) has got a fighting heart,” said Ignatius. 

“I’ve known him for quite some time but I think his people will try to protect him as much as they can which I guess is their job.

"But boxing being boxing I generally believe as long as I keep doing on what I’m doing and he keeps on what he’s doing, then we’ve got to meet eventually.”

Four Frank Warren Queensberry Promotions prospects are set to appear on the undercard of Dennis McCann’s vacant WBO Intercontinental super-bantamweight title clash against Ionut Baluta at York Hall on August 18.

Featherweight Umar Khan (Ilford), super welterweight Khalid Ali (Brick Lane), welterweight Sonny Liston Ali (Romford) and super welterweight Joel Kodua (Dagenham) are all booked for action, with tickets on sale at ticketmaster.co.uk.