Josh Wale lands European title fight

Wale will fight Frenchman Georges Ory on October 26 with the vacant title up for grabs after promoter Stefy Bull successfully lobbied for him to become mandatory challenger.

The 30-year-old had been due to take on Toto Helebhe for the IBF Intercontinental title on October 5 at The Metrodome in Barnsley.

While it is understood South African fighter Helebhe failed to secure a work permit, Bull has been working on securing a European title fight for his man since the start of the year.

And the workhorse Brampton fighter will remain on the Metrodome show three weeks earlier in what is now set to be a ticking-over bout.

In a statement, Bull said: 'This is a dream for both Josh and his dad.

'He is the first man from Barnsley to contest the European title.

'After being unbeaten in over two years, Josh is in the form of his life.

'We will win this title and what an achievement.

'To have no TV promoter, to win the English title, the British title with two defences and then go to France for the European title.

'Josh Wale'¦.the nearly man?'

Wale relinquished the British bantamweight title earlier this year after suffering a knee ligament injury which denied him the opportunity to win the Lonsdale belt outright in record breaking time.

On his return to fitness his attention switched to a push for international honours with Bull searching for opportunities at European and world level.

Victory over Ory will see Wale add to the English and British titles in his trophy cabinet and likely push him towards a top ten world ranking, raising the tantalising prospect of him fighting for a world title.

Opponent Ory has won nine of his 12 bouts so far. In his last outing he earned a convincing points win over Razmik Grigoryan to claim the European Union bantamweight title.