While European and world honours might be in his sights, having a Lonsdale Belt for keeps is what Gavin Gwynne really wants before anything else.

The 32-year-old, trained by Tony Borg at St Joseph’s gym in Newport, makes the first defence of his British lightweight crown tonight against fellow Welshman and ex-sparring partner Craig Woodruff.

Gwynne, from Trelewis, also puts his Commonwealth strap on the line when he locks horns with Newport’s Celtic champion (12-6) at the University of Bolton Stadium live on Channel 5.

Honeymooning in Italy with wife Louise after their wedding earlier this month has been put on hold as Gwynne (15-2) prepares for a sixth title fight in seven outings.

“Our wedding day was brilliant, said Gwynne. “Everything went as well as we could have hoped for.

“Louise did a great job of organising everything – the only thing I did was pick out my suit – but then I do say that I get punched in the face to pay for it.

“I had a few days off training for the wedding before going back into camp.

“Everything has gone really well for the fight, the sparring has been good, and making the weight hasn’t been a problem at all.

“We’ve got to wait for our honeymoon just a little bit longer, but hopefully it will be worth the wait.”

Having sparred together in the past, the two men know what each other will bring to the ring in Bolton – and both are disappointed the fight couldn’t take place in their homeland.

“We’ve always had good sparring sessions and I know it’s going to be a good fight,” added Gwynne.

“I also know it’s going to be a hard fight because this is a big opportunity for Craig and he will want to make the most of it.

“I’m not going to say what his strengths and weaknesses are, but I’ll be prepared for the best Craig Woodruff.

“I think it’s probably going to run into the later rounds, because Craig has been around this game for years and knows it inside out.

“He had a couple of years out of the ring and is now in the UK top 10, so you can’t not be impressed by what he has done to come back.

“He’s worked really hard to get back into title contention.”

After brave defeats to Joe Cordina and James Tennyson, Gwynne stepped up to the plate by stopping previously unbeaten Sean McComb to claim the Commonwealth title.

He then outpointed Jack O’Keeffe, who had only lost once, to defend the belt, and this April took the vacant British strap against Luke Willis, another previously unbeaten fighter.

“Winning the British was amazing,” said Gwynne. “I knew that time was going to come.

“I came up against world-level fighters in Cordina and Tennyson, but I couldn’t not take those fights.

“And if I hadn’t taken those fights then I don’t think I would have had the opportunities I’ve had since.

“Beating Willis, what a feeling that was. It didn’t sink in for a few weeks.”

He added: “Each fight is going to get bigger, and it’s all about securing my family’s future.

“I’ve got to keep on winning, and as long as I do that then I’ll keep helping my family.

“I’m super-confident for this fight and winning it will take me a step closer to keeping the belt, and that’s my plan.

“I want to defend the belt three times and then it’s mine for keeps.

“Obviously the next level up is European, but now that I’ve seen the Lonsdale Belt, I don’t want to give it back.”

Tonight’s fight on the Wasserman Boxing show will be broadcast live from 9.30pm on Channel 5.