Stourbridge-based Rob Norton will finally end his five-year wait for another crack at the British cruiserweight boxing championship this Friday.

The former WBU world champion,who has been frustrated by the long wait, will finally get his chance when he takes on Micky Steeds for the vacant British belt in front of the Sky Sports’ cameras at Burton on Trent’s Meadowside Leisure Centre.

He has earned his chance by blasting out six straight knock-out wins - picking up the British Masters and English titles along the way – and the 36-year-old is desperate to make amends for the heartbreaking defeat he suffered in his previous British title bid.

Norton had Mark Hobson in desperate trouble in the fifth round of their clash for the British and Commonwealth titles in September, 2003, but couldn’t find the punches to finish the job and was outpointed after a gruelling 12-rounder.

A focussed Norton said: “I was beginning to think I would never get another chance.

“But I’m not a quitter. I’ve kept training, earned my chance and now I’m determined to take it.”

Norton’s opponent also knows about British title heartbreak.

Steeds, from the Isle of Dogs, was outpointed by Scott Gammer in a crack at heavyweight honours in October, 2006 and has since slimmed down and reeled off four straight wins to get another title chance.

Norton will go into the 12-round battle the favourite to bring another belt back to the Wednesbury gym of Black Country promoters First Team Promotions following Rob Kenney’s Midlands Area middleweight title triumph and Martin Gethin claiming the English lightweight belt.

Tickets are available by calling promoter PJ Rowson on 07976-283157.