Hide lines up Vassilev bout

Heavyweight Herbie Hide will step up preparations for his British championship title tilt with an outing next week against Alex Vassilev.

Hide will meet the Russian at London's Alexandra Palace on Saturday, October 4.

The 10-round, non-title bout against the Russian will be 32-year-old Hide's last fight before an anticipated December showdown with current British champion Danny Williams.

Hide said: "Vassilev will help get me in the condition to do what I have been dreaming of doing to Danny Williams for a long time.

"This is it, the one fight I need before Danny and I finally get it on.

"I'm about to get the chance to take out all the anger Danny Williams has built up inside me with his lies and talk, directly on Danny Williams.

"The only way I won't become the next British heavyweight champion is if Danny Williams pulls out.

"But please God, that cannot happen because we're so close now."

The 31-year-old Vassilev, who hails from St Petersburg, boasts a professional record featuring 15 wins, eight of which were by knockout, 11 defeats and one draw. Hide has won 34 and lost three, drawing one.

Hide added: "Vassilev looks as if he may be able to take me a few rounds because he's extended some useful fighters recently and holds a win over Mark Potter.

"But he has no chance of winning, there is too much on the line for me to allow that."