Light welterweight Ted Bami aims to echo the feats of countrymen Ricky Hatton and Junior Witter this Friday when he meets travel-hardened Italian Giuseppe Lauri for the vacant EBU title on a Sky Sports televised bill at London's famed York Hall.

Bami, 28, is reeling off seven straight victories – four inside the distance – since being stopped in three disastrous rounds by journeyman Samuel Malinga back in 2003. Based in the south London suburb of Brixton, the Congolese-born fighter has bounced back impressively from that setback and now finds himself on the cusp of winning his first major title.

Sporting a physique that bespeaks an incredible dedication to his craft, the 20-2 (11) Bami is known to carry power in both fists and, though his defence can be downright leaky at times, his athleticism grants him a certain slipperiness. Against Lauri, a proven European-level operator who has won 41 of his 45 contests and can punch a little himself, it is thought that he will need to be at his very best to come away with the victory.

"This has come out of nothing for Ted Bami and he's been thrown a career-changing opportunity," says Barry Hearn, his promoter. "Originally it was going to be Jason Cook fighting for the title in July but he got injured so it was rearranged but Jason got injured again and has since decided to retire. The various authorities had to find a replacement and a number of people were considered with Ted getting the nod."

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