Glenn Foot desperate for June 16 battle - whether Josh Leather turns up or not!

Josh Leather (left) with Sunderland's Glenn Foot (right).

The Sunderland light-welterweight has been ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control to face Guisborough's Josh Leather, in a rematch of their epic battle for the IBF European title last year.

Leather won a disputed points decision over Foot, who has since gone on to win the Commonwealth title, in November.

And Foot is hopeful Hearn will win a purse bid to put the British title clash on the Josh Kelly and Lewis Ritson-headed fight night next month.

Although, even if that doesn't come to fruition, he still hopes for a Commonwealth defence under the lights at the Metro Radio Arena.

Explaining the Leather and British title situation, the 30-year-old said: "We spoke to Eddie and had a bit craic.

"He has put a bid in to Josh Leather and he knocked the bid back. Hopefully now there is a bit war about it and we can get a right few quid for the job.

"I am not bothered if he shows up or not. We will find out on May 9 when the purse bids go in. I am just focusing on the job at hand.

"Like Eddie said - fight for the Commonwealth on this show and if the British doesn't come then just get on with it."

Foot continued: "I knew I had the beating of him in the first one.

"He has had a couple of different coaches and that might have led to a few different techniques but I think we will wait and see on that one."

On the Matchroom show fellow Sunderland fighter Kelly takes on Kris George for the Commonwealth welterweight title in just his seventh fight, as well as a whole host of other North East boxers making up a stacked card.

On Foot, Hearn added: “We had Glenn on Prizefighter and it looked like his career was over when he lost to (Sam) Eggington. But credit to him for coming back stronger.

"It’s fantastic to be back in the North East and this is a brilliant card from top to bottom, with five excellent title fights.

"We’re back here in a big way and I’m really excited about this bill.

"Every time you come to a place like Newcastle, you feel like the city really wants you to be here and you want big shows with the Sky Sports cameras – it feels like a Belfast or a Liverpool, it feels that the city is ready for a great night of boxing and that’s what we’ve delivered."