Brian Magee has announced that he will defend his IBO super-middleweight title against Dutchman Nordin Ben-Salah  on April 17 at the King's Hall in Belfast.

Magee's coach Harry Hawkins believes that victory over Nordin,
rated 10 by the World Boxing Association, will push the rising southpaw star towards his ultimate goal - a bout with world champion Sven Ottke.

However, Magee and Hawkins will be taking nothing for granted against Ben-Salah and the coach said: " I think this will be the toughest fight of Brian's career. This guy is as strong as they come and he can punch."

"He holds the WBA international title and has a good record of 36 wins, two defeats and a draw. If Brian can beat him then he has to be getting closer to a fight with the likes of Ottke or the interim WBA champion Anthony Mundine."

Magee, who represented Ireland at the Olympic games, won the IBO super-middleweight title in December 2001, when he beat Ramon Britez inside an amazing two minutes.

Filed by Rob Wright