Team Booth keen to avoid Napa Euro heartache

Nottingham’s Jason Booth has been given the chance to realise his European title dreams - but may have to face his close friend Rendall Munroe.

The EBU have made the Nottingham star (34-5) mandatory contender for Munroe's European super-bantamweight championship (the deadline for agreements is 20 February).

Before setting his sights higher, Booth must defend his British crown against Matthew Marsh (13-1) in his hometown at Harvey Hadden Centre this Friday (5^th Feb).

Promoter Frank Maloney said: "Hopefully Jason will not have to face Rendall because of his upcoming WBC world title eliminator (against Mexico’s  Victor Terrazas on 23 April) Rendall may well give up the title and if that happens I would love Jason to fight Bernard Dunne for the vacant European title.”

"He can't look past Marsh. Ian Napa had a European title fight lined up next month, but lost to Jamie McDonnell a couple of weeks ago. Saying that, he didn't overlook Jamie. Ian was the victim of some absolutely shocking scoring that has cost him his chance,” argued Maloney.

Booth, 32, will be attempting to win a Lonsdale belt outright against former British champion Marsh who never lost his title in the ring.

"Jason is boxing better than ever. Normally the lower weights can burn out quite quickly, but Jason is the opposite. He is maturing with every fight. He has spent nine weeks preparing for Marsh, had some great sparring and that is more than long enough to prepare,” said Booth’s manager, Jimmy Gill.

Tickets for the Nottingham show priced £35 and £85 are available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.