Basildon boxer Dean Doyle has been pencilled in to fight on the Prince Naseem Hamed world title bill on August 19.

The Hamed contest is due to take place in America but super-middleweight Dean is hoping to fight on a transatlantic undercard at a venue in London.

Delighted Dean confirmed on Wednesday: "The Prince Naseem fight will obviously be a really big show so I'm really excited about the prospect.

"There's even talk that Naseem might actually fight in London rather than America, possibly at Kensington Olympia, so it could work out really well."

The news softened the blow for the boxer after he learned an injury would prevent his participation in this Friday's scheduled fight at Bethnal Green's York Hall.

The unbeaten Basildon fighter sustained a cut eye in his bout with Stoke slugger Jimmy Steele on May 26 and a Harley Street specialist has advised him to take at least a six-week lay-off.

Disappointed Dean, who also has a swollen knuckle on his hand, said: "The doctor said I could re-open the cut by fighting again so soon.

"It was a clash of heads in the third round of my last fight that did it - I felt my opponent might have deliberately nutted me.

"I'm well gutted. It's nice to fight every month and now I've got to wait for 12 weeks," he added.

Up and coming boxing star Dean is currently looking for more sponsorship to aid his blossoming career. If you can help, call him on 01268 553402.

Dean Doyle - hoping his next fight on the Prince Naseem undercard will make up for not being able to box for 12 weeks due to a cut eye

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.