LEE Churcher says “losing is not an option” when he challenges Ishmael Tetteh for the vacant WBU world middleweight crown in just over a week’s time.

Ghanaian Tetteh and Newport’s Churcher lock horns at Pill Millennium Centre next Saturday, eight months after the latter won there to claim the WBF inter-continental belt.

Churcher, 36 on Monday, hasn’t decided whether the fight will be his swansong in boxing, his only focus for now is on a man with more than 30 professional victories under his belt.

“Everything has fallen into place so well, it’s scary how perfectly things have gone,” said father-of-four Churcher. “It’s going to happen, there’s no way I’m losing, it’s impossible.

“It’s all about next week now, getting in that ring and doing the job, and I am going to do the job.

“This, realistically, is the highest level I’m going to get to, possibly a little bit more.

“Yes, it’s a small world title and not one of the big four, but I don’t want to under-value it.

“It’s a belt that means something in the UK and it’s got quite a bit of history to it.

“I’ve got to look at this as potentially the highest level I can get to, so this is my biggest fight.”

He added: “Losing is not an option. I’ve put so much into this that it cannot happen.

“I’ve got to prepare to take myself to the limit, it’s do or die, it really is that intense.

“I’ve put my body through absolute hell for 12 weeks so losing is not an option whatsoever, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

“This is for my kids, my family and my fans, who have followed me around the country from day one, this is for them.”

As well as the help he has received from those at St Joseph’s gym, including new pro Sean McGoldrick, and SOS Athletic Excellence in Cardiff, Churcher is hugely grateful for his family’s support – and he hopes to have them there on the night.

“I’ve got a very supportive family and my missus is amazing,” he said. “I really don’t show my appreciation enough for what she does with the kids.

“Boxing is a risky sport to have your kids there because of what could potentially happen, but I really am that confident I will come through this.

“I want my kids there with me and I’m hoping they will carry my belts.

“This is going to be me at my best and it would be great if they could see me when I’m at my best.”