JOHN Wayne Hibbert says he is ready for a “massive step up in class” after landing a dream bout with Andrea Scarpa as he bids to become the WBC Silver Super-Lightweight champion at a blockbuster night of boxing at the 02 Arena next month.

The Horndon-on-the-Hill boxer was announced on the undercard of new IBF Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on Saturday, June 25, with Italian Scarpa standing between him and the vacant WBC Silver belt.

Hibbert, 31, has vacated the Commonwealth belt he won against Tommy Martin in January in order to fight for the belt but is now looking to add this new crown to his WBC International belt.

However Scarpa is a fresh challenge for Hibbert, with the taller fighter the current IBF InterContinental champion and a two-time Italian champion.

And Hibbert says he is already well underway with his training as he looks to make a bang at the 02 Arena.

“I am really excited for this fight,” said Hibbert. “He is a bigger fighter than any I have taken on before and that will bring new challenges. I have been sparring with a lot of taller lads in recent weeks to get the feel for it and it is going well.

“I am sparring with Liam Desmond (a middleweight from Corringham) at the moment and I have others lined up. This is the longest training camp I have ever had as we have been preparing for five weeks already.

“It is a massive fight because if I win on a global stage then I should get a shot at a world title which is what I want.

“Eddie (Hearn – Matchroom promotor) has really come up trumps this time. It is a massive step up in class and the biggest fight of my career but one I am excited for.”

Four of Hibbert’s last five fights have been at the 02 Arena on the undercard of Joshua, who will make his first title defence against American Dominic Breazeale, with George Groves’ Super-Middleweight battle also on the undercard.