FRANCIS Jones revealed how he is taking inspiration from arguably the greatest boxer of all time in his bid to become the next British light-middleweight champion.

Jones faces unbeaten southpaw Stuart Elwell at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool tonight, live on Sky Sports at 10pm, confident he can extend his impressive fight record featuring 12 wins and two draws - with one NC - in 17 bouts.

But the contest against his Walsall-born counterpart provides an even bigger incentive for the 25-year-old fighter, because should Jones triumph then he expects a crack at Kevin Anderson's light-middleweight crown and, have the opportunity to become the first Darlington boxer to hold a British title.

Elwell will be no pushover as he remains unbeaten in seven professional fights, although this is the first time the 28-year-old has contested outside of the midlands.

"I'm expecting a good contest. I hear he's a good, sharp fighter with a good amateur record and he is currently the British Midlands Area champion," said Jones who outpointed Coventry's Richard Mazurek at Hartlepool's Borough Hall in his last fight.

The confident Darlington boxer says he respects Elwell but reckons his opponent's impressive record counts for nothing tonight because he believes he is destined to claim a British title.

And drawing inspiration from Muhammad Ali, he said: "Champions aren't made in gym. Champions are made from something they have deep inside of them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will - but the will must be stronger than the skill.

"This quotation speaks to me. I'm not a champion yet and in order to achieve my dream, which is the Lonsdale belt, then I must accomplish the above.

"I believe I am strong willed, I believe I am skilled and believe I'm a game fighter, and with just two of the above you can produce a champion.

"It's all about winning titles and I want to be recognised as a champion. I do things right, I live the correct lifestyle and therefore want to be recognised for the work I do.

"The Lonsdale belt will be brought to Darlington one day but first of all I have to focus myself on the task ahead on Friday.

"My opponent is an ex-marine and I hope to put Sgt. Elwell through the mill for I will be his commanding officer. I will punish him if he steps out of line. I do not intend to merely give him a beating, I intend to educate trooper Elwell."

"For him to turn up and get a beating isn't very nice, so I intend to help him along the way, and then KO him in the nicest way possible - I'm a nice guy.

"Training has been going great. I have been sparring top fighters with a high knockout record.

"My tools are in excellent condition and are primed and ready for Friday. I hope to use Elwell as target practice."

Darlington's Penthouse Gymnasium has provided training facilities for Jones and he said: "The Penthouse have been very good in helping me with my preparation.

"They deserve a massive thanks."

Meanwhile, Chris Burton is confident he can continue his heavyweight education by teaching Coventry's Jason Callum a lesson.

"He's a strong fighter who comes forward and quite durable but he's lost his last four fights," said the Darlington boxer.

"I've trained hard and I have no worries. Hopefully by the third or fourth round I will have knocked him out."

Hartlepool's Michael Hunter headlines the bill, defending his European super bantamweight crown against France's Tuncay Kaya.

Hunter feels he's ready for his third defence, he said: "Kaya has come here knowing this is his big opportunity and I have a lot of respect for him. I know he's going to be a hard man to beat."