CRAIG Woodruff finally gets his chance to fight at the famous York Hall this weekend, five years after sitting on the sidelines as an unused reserve in the third lightweight instalment of Prizefighter.

Newport’s Woodruff ended up being a mere spectator in December 2014 as Irishman Jono Carroll beat Stephen Foster, Welshman Gary Buckland and Michael Devine en route to the trophy.

Former Welsh champion Woodruff, 27, returns to Bethnal Green on Saturday night hoping a win can set him on a path that ultimately ends with a crack at the British title.

He has had mixed results since making his boxing comeback 12 months ago following a four-year hiatus, with three victories countered by a failed bid to land the Welsh super-lightweight crown.

His latest opponent is unbeaten 25-year-old Englishman Connor Marsden (3-0), whose three bouts in the pro ranks have been at York Hall.

“I’m ready,” said Woodruff (8-5). “I can’t wait to get in there. This training camp has been brilliant, everything has gone to plan.

“I’ve been a lot more disciplined in this camp and I’m feeling so good because of it.”

He added: “I’ve been to York Hall before. I was a reserve for one of the Prizefighter shows in 2014, but I never got the chance to fight.

“I was allowed in the changing rooms to get ready and then I sat in the front row and waited to see if anyone got injured.

“But they didn’t – I don’t even think anyone had a cut.”

After the disappointment of missing out on another Welsh strap in June, when he lost on points to reigning 140lbs champion Kieran Gething, Woodruff is back at lightweight and eager to push on.

“I just want a title fight,” said Woodruff, who is trained by Luke Pearce and assistant Johan Berendjy.

“If I get a British title shot then I will have achieved what I wanted when I started.

“That’s my main aim, so I’ve just got to keep banging on the door. If I do well enough it will take me to that level.

“I wouldn’t say no to a Welsh title. I’m a proud Welshman and winning it would mean I’m the best in my country. I want a Welsh title as a minimum.

“I’ve just got to keep winning and hope the phone will ring.

"I’ll fight anyone – I’d fight Deontay Wilder for the British title.”

Meanwhile, unbeaten Lance Cooksey, who is trained by Tony Borg at St Joseph’s in Newport, has had to pull out of his fight in Cardiff on November 22 due to a hand injury.