Wanganui-born boxer Robert Berridge has locked in his first opportunity at an international title in two weeks when he headlines the "Our Time 2" show against Japanese light heavyweight Shintaro Matsumoto.
Negotiations last month had been moving the Berridge camp towards fellow Kiwi light heavyweight Daniel MacKinnon, the WBO Orientalbelt holder.
Instead, Berridge (19-1-1, 15 knockouts) has signed to face Matsumoto (10-2, 8 KO) for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council title.
The 28-year-old Matsumoto has won his last three fights, albeit against lightly regarded opponents, since his 2012 loss to Yuzo Kiyota (23-3-1), who is now set to challenge for the WBO super middleweight title next month.
The Berridge fight will be the main event at the Auckland Boxing Association stadium on July 5.
Getting a WBC regional belt would propel the 28-year-old up the rankings in his quest for a world championship title shot.
As he did with his previous fight against world-ranked Australian Serge Yannick, Berridge will be coming down to Wanganui to prepare with a training camp at cousin Paul Berridge's Fight Fit gym, starting this Saturday.
