IT will be title time on Tyne later this year after an all-North East battle for the British Super Welterweight title was confirmed.

Darlington’s Troy Williamson will take on Sunderland’s Josh Kelly for the British title at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Friday, December 2, with the fight being broadcast live on Channel Five.

Williamson will go into the fight as the reigning British champion and Lonsdale belt holder, with Kelly initially challenging him for a regional showdown after they came face-to-face in July after Kelly, who is nicknamed ‘Pretty Boy’, beat Lucas Bastida at Newcastle’s Vertu Arena to claim the WBO International Super-Welterweight title.

Since then, Williamson has extended his unbeaten record, which currently stands at 19-0-1, by stopping David Benitez in the sixth round of their contest at the University of Bolton Stadium in September.

“We’re two fighters flying the flag for the North-East, but only one of us holds that British title,” said Williamson. “Every fight is going to be a tough fight at this level, especially when belts are on the line.

“I’m the champ, I’m undefeated and I don’t think there’s anything he can throw at me that’ll stop my reign as super-welterweight king as I move on to bigger and better things. One thing is for sure – and that’s fireworks.”

Whereas Darlington’s Williamson, nicknamed ‘Trojan’ went straight into the professional ranks, winning his first fight back in 2016, Kelly enjoyed a successful amateur career that saw him represent Team GB in the Olympics.

The Wearsider boasts a 12-1-1 record since turning pro, and is confident he can take the British title away from Williamson at the start of December.

“This is set to be one of the North-East’s biggest fights in recent memory, and you can see exactly why,” said Kelly. “Troy is British champion for a reason, and he’s obviously a good fighter.

“However, he’s just another obstacle in the way of me achieving what I’m destined to achieve, and he’ll be taken care of on December 2.”

After producing a stoppage win over Ted Cheeseman to become the British champion last October, Williamson has subsequently defended his title against Mason Cartwright to set up an eagerly-awaited domestic showdown with Williamson.

“The last time we ventured to the North-East, the people clearly showed their passion and love for boxing,” said Kalle Sauerland, who is the head of global boxing for fight promoters Wasserman.

"This time it is on another level as we bring one of the most hotly-anticipated domestic dust-ups available.

"It's two of the North-East’s own battling it out to boast the title of Britain’s best. Newcastle is about to host one of its biggest nights in the sport, and I cannot wait to be in the arena for an electric atmosphere come fight night.”

Williamson's showdown with Kelly will top the bill at the Utilita Arena on Friday, December 2, with a full undercard of fights set to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, UK Anti-Doping has launched an investigation into Conor Benn’s failed drugs test that saw his grudge match against Chris Eubank Jr postponed earlier this month.

The 157lbs catchweight fight at the O2 Arena was called off after it was revealed that Benn tested positive for trace amounts of fertility drug clomiphene, which elevates testosterone levels in men.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has now said UKAD is looking into Benn’s failed test.

In a statement last week, Benn had said he was “completely shocked and surprised” by his positive test, and said “my immediate focus is on clearing my name because I am a clean athlete”.