DANIEL Gaut knows he will face the toughest challenge of his boxing career when defending the PowerBox Promotions heavyweight title against Fidel Asudi on December 9.

Gaut, 30, won the title thanks to a referee’s decision over David Merton in June, while Asudi made a successful debut on the undercard of the same show in Windsor.

The champion has been sparring with BlackBeard MMA star Mark Alexander before his training camp with coach Stanlee Wilson got under way two weeks ago.

Gaut admits the clash between two warriors could come down to who performs better on the night, but he is keen to retain his title in style with a knock-out victory.

The Slough ace told the Observer: “Mark is super fit now and I’m not, but he has given me the motivation that I need and I can see where I want to be.

“I’ve been training with Mark so had to stay relatively fit, but he’s through the roof now and overtaken me. He’s ready to go and defend his own title [September 30].

“My training camp will be pretty much the same, but I will see Stanlee a lot more to work on the mistakes I made in the last fight because Fidel will be the toughest challenge to date.

“My diet has changed and there will be no more drinking. The training will be hard work but I’m looking forward to it. If it put the hard work in now then fight night will be easy.

“I’ve got to listen to my corner more because I could have won the last fight via knock-out and not on points, but I just enjoy the moment a bit too much. I need to get that vicious streak and step things up a notch.

"I want to win this fight via knock-out, it's all or nothing this time, we're going for it.

"I'm going to work a lot more on my power and speed because the fitness is there, I can easily do the rounds, but we will work on a few things."

Commenting on his opponent, Ausdi, he said: "I've seen the video of his last fight. He's a very fit and strong boy, so I've got to be at my very best. He will be strong and quick, so I will have to be at my best to win.

"To be a true champion, it's not just about winning a belt, but keeping it.

It will come down to who performs better on the night. He's a warrior and I like to think I am as well, so it will come down to who performs better on the night.

"I am not thinking about him too much because I'm not obsessive about my opponents. I'm the champion so he will have to worry about me."

Gaut also hopes that a successful defence of his heavyweight title, will open up more opportunities in 2018.

He said: "I've been ranked now so hopefully if I can defend my belt it will open up a few doors.

"I've got to win this fight first so can't look too far ahead, but I might expand a bit more and go for more belts rather than just fighting in the Slough area."

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