GARY Buckland will attempt to succeed where his St Joseph’s stablemate Craig Evans failed when he challenges Scott Cardle for his British lightweight title next month.

Buckland, the former British super-featherweight belt holder, will take on Cardle at the Liverpool Olympia on September 19.

Cardle won the belt with a unanimous decision points victory over Blackwood boxer Evans at the end of May.

It had been thought his first defence would be against Gary Sykes – and the Lytham boxer was training with that fighter in mind – but Matchroom today announced Buckland would be his nest opponent.

Cardle insists, however, that having to change tack and prepare for Buckland would not present a problem.

He said: “Two names were put forward and my team chose Buckland.

“They are two different types of fighter, though they both have one thing in common – they are both very tough.

“Buckland is a fighter who will stay on my chest for as long as he can.

“What I have to do is avoid getting drawn into it.”

Buckland, who trains with Tony Borg at St Joes in Newport, has won 30 fights to date and lost six.

Unbeaten Cardle said: “I have been training with Sykes in mind, but with the fight taking place four weeks on Saturday, I have the time to prepare and get the right sparring for someone like Buckland.

“I am just glad it has been decided who I will be fighting.

“Taking on Buckland will be the hardest fight I have had,” he added.

“Evans and I were on the same kind of level, but Buckland has more experience on his side.”

Evans will aim to get back to winning ways against Liverpool’s Tom Stalker when the pair contest the WBO European lightweight title at the Manchester Arena on October 10.