Undefeated rising cruiserweight Lawrence Okolie (13-0, 10 KOs) is ready to exit the domestic scene, by facing European champion Yves Ngabu (20-0, 14 KOs) in his next scheduled fight.

The British and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion was being scouted last month, when Ngabu sat ringside and watched him stop Mariano Angel Gudino at the O2 Arena in London.

Ngabu is being trained by Dominic Ingle in Sheffield. He last fought in February, when he won a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over Micki Nielsen.

Okolie was very close to a crack at the WBA title, but champion Denis Lebedev decided to retire from the sport.

The British boxer is ranked at number 2 by the sanctioning body and intends to keep his eyes on the upcoming World Boxing Super Series clash between Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos, who collide for the WBO, IBF and vacant WBC.

But before he can thing about world titles, Okolie expects to have a very tough test from Ngabu.

"I rate him," Okolie told Sky Sports. "He's a good, come forward, counter puncher, undefeated, good knockout ratio.

"On paper, it's a really tough fight. I'm looking forward to it. I know he trains with Dominic Ingle. A lot of world champions come in and out of there, same as Shane McGuigan, my coach.

"When I break it down and look at Ngabu versus me, just stylistically it's a good match-up for me. Talk is cheap, we're going to have to wait until the night. I want to be out twice this year. I want to get it soonish. I'll be looking to get it done quite quickly, next couple of months. I had a fight not too long ago. I've just been enjoying a week or so off, but I'm still in good shape, so I can go straight in."

"I'm in a position where I could stay and defend the British titles a few times and then go up, but I said no, I want to go for the European. God willing I'm able to win that. I'm definitely going to push towards world level and try and grab a world title next year."