Rugged spoiler "King" Henry Castle has torn through four opponents over the past year, turning his career around on the strength of solid performances to earn a shot at one of the top lightweights in the UK.

The 29 year old former amateur standout meets Graham Earl in a crucial crossroads battle at London's York Hall on Friday, October 17, providing chief support to British champion Ian Napa's challenge of European bantamweight ruler Carmelo Ballone on a Frank Maloney promotion.

30 year old Earl, 25-3 (12), rose to the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles under Maloney's guidance and was on the verge of a European title shot when he jumped ship to a rival promoter and was gunned down in consecutive bouts, first in a slugfest by world rated contender Michael Katsidis and then Amir Khan, who's fast hands swept Earl under the rug in just one round.

The big hearted Luton grafter has returned to the Maloney fold but will have to claw his way back up the mountain if he is to once again compete for title belts and standing in the way of that ambition is the determined Castle.

Castle, 18-4 (10), has his own checkered past, losing early to underrated Ugandan hard man John Mackay in 2003 and then suffering a cuts stoppage to the unheralded Jus Wallie in the next bout. Losses to undefeated prospects Gareth Couch and Ian Wilson in 2005 and 2007, respectively, put the Sherfield resident in a corner that he literally had to fight has way out of.

And he did exactly that, outpointing Belfast stylist Kevin O'Hara before mounting a torrid 2008 campaign that saw Castle win every round against durable Frenchman Frederic Gossett and then stop both experienced Ryan Barrett and promising prospect Lee Cook, all before the end of June.

When the bell sounds to begin their clash on October 17, Castle and Earl will share a very real sense of desperation as both men realize that a loss will put an end to any meaningful career advancement and one of the most compelling clashes to take place this year in a British ring should happen before a packed York Hall audience.

Frank Maloney Promotions presents "Dapa Napa", Ian Napa vs. Carmelo Ballone for the Bantamweight Championship of Europe at York Hall, London, England on Friday, October 17, 2008.

Tickets are priced at £75 and £35 and are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508.

Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 9:30pm.

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Boxing News Tags: Ajose Olusegun, Akaash Bhatia, Carmelo Ballone, Frank Maloney, Gilbert Eastman, Graham Earl, Henry Castle, Ian Napa, Liam Shinkwin, Mark Thompson, Sam Webb, Tom Dallas, York Hall