Leytonstone’s Philip Bowes says he is “not thinking about the venue” but is focussed on “the job in hand” after being confirmed on the undercard at the O2 Arena in October.

The 30-year-old will fight John Wayne Hibbert (13-2) at the O2 Arena in Greenwich on Saturday, October 11 as part of the undercard for Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua’s first professional title fight.

Bowes is the mandatory challenger for the vacant Southern Area light-welterweight title, whilst Joshua will go toe-to-toe with Denis Bakhtov for the WBC International Heavyweight title.

Unbeaten in his first nine bouts as a professional, ‘Quicksilver’ Bowes is adamant he will not let the grandeur of the venue faze him on the night, having often fought at York Hall in Bethnal Green.

He explained: “I’m not thinking about the venue, I’m just thinking about the job at hand, which is to be a champion again and win a more prestigious title. I’m more concerned about lifting a belt and having my hands raised at the end of the night, which I will do anyway.

“It’s a really big event and a really big card obviously, because Sky Sports [will be there] and all those things.

“It’s a great show and a great platform for me and a great shop window for people that are interested in sponsorship to see me and potential suitors.”

Bowes continued: “I’m mandatory to fight for the Southern Area title anyway and it’s a London show and I suppose they needed help to sell out the O2 Arena. Obviously I’m a London-based fighter who can sell a few tickets, so they got me on board.”

The current International Masters light-welterweight title-holder, Bowes has been unable to fight since beating Francis Maina in May on a points decision to win the first title of his professional career.

However Bowes believes the injury – which forced him to postpone a fight scheduled for September 27 – worked in his favour in the long run.

“It was a setback but in a way it was a blessing in disguise because [it allowed me] to relax and to chill and it worked in my favour, because at the end of the day I’m still coming up to be fighting in October,” said Bowes.

“I don’t want to jump the gun or look past my opponent but basically, I am looking at the English title and the more prestigious titles after that as well.”

Looking ahead to October’s fight, Bowes said: “I’m confident. I’m going to win; I’m going to be victorious. I don’t have a prediction and I’m not going to say: ‘I’m going to knock him out or I’m going to stop him,’ but I am going to win – by any means necessary.”