RICK Godding will walk into the ring at Wembley Arena tonight with everything to gain and nothing to lose after seizing an unexpected chance at a British title eliminator.

The 30-year-old Blackrod boxer, who has had just two fights since returning from a two-year absence with a shoulder injury, is a rank outsider for the 10-round light middleweight bout against hometown hero Gary Corcoron.

Wembley-born Corcoron was due to go head to head with Joey Selkirk, with the winner lined up as number one challenger to British champion Liam Smith.

But when Selkirk was forced to pull out four weeks before the fight the organisers turned to Godding.

"I have never had the chance to fight for a title since turning pro, so when the opportunity to get within reach of that came along I had to grab it with both hands," said the owner of Tricky's Gym.

"It's not ideal because I have not long since come back from injury and the two fights I have had have only been over four and six rounds.

"Gary will have been training to go 10 rounds for maybe 10 or 12 weeks, so he will be much better prepared.

"But it could work in my favour.

"I have been juggling work with training for my other fights, combining running the gym with time getting into shape, putting in 16-hour days.

"Since I took the call for this fight I have put everything else to one side, so I have been training full time for three weeks now and feel in great shape."

Godding got over the first hurdle yesterday, weighing in one pound under the 11 stone weight limit.

He has since been building up his strength and rehydrating, getting ready to go into what he expects will be a hostile atmosphere.

The crowd will certainly be on Corcoron's side, as are most of the pundits.

His 24-year-old opponent has a perfect 12-0 record and is feted for a run at the British title and beyond.

But Godding, who is also unbeaten in 22 pro fights, believes he has the nous and experience to spring a surprise.

"Gary is a fighter that likes to come forward and I think he will be wound up by the crowd and the atmosphere to be even more aggressive," he added.

"But that is fine for me. I know all I have to do is keep moving, make him swing and miss and then pick him off with my own shots.

"Don't get me wrong, he is a rising talent, but this is my chance to make a name for myself and I feel I have the skills to do that."

The Bolton boxer believes if he can get Corcoron to walk on to one of his shots then he may be able to finish the fight early, rather than leaving his fate in the hands of the judges.

"One of my last fights was against German fighter Rafal Jackiewicz in Hamburg," said Godding.

"I was brought in as a warm-up fight before he fought for the European title.

"It was another 10 rounder and I must have won eight out of the 10 rounds, yet the judges made it a majority draw.

"All fighters know what can happen, so I hope to take it out of the judges' hands."