Away from home and into the lion’s den – Sunderland’s Lee Mould goes into the biggest fight of his fledgling career on September 21 when he takes on Sheffield’s Sam Matkin in his home city’s Octagon Centre for the British Masters (Bronze) lightweight title.

On paper the contest is an evenly-matched affair.  Both are unbeaten prospects; Matkin has had six bouts, while Mould has had four, but the Northeast man enters the fight on the back of his best win to date.

In July, at the Stadium of Light, Lee was in devastating form taking less than two minutes to demolish Ben Zacharkiw in a performance that highlighted heavy hands, top technique and a ruthless streak that belies his quiet exterior.

Ahead of the upcoming contest, North East Fight Scene caught up with Lee to get the lowdown:

On paper Matkin is your toughest test to date. He’s unbeaten and will be on home ground – how much are you looking forward to the challenge?

“We are both unbeaten fighters and it’s a step up for both of us, but I am not going there to make up the numbers.  I’m going there with a positive attitude and am really looking forward to this fight and progressing with my boxing career.”

 How much do you know of Matkin? What are you expecting?

“I haven’t seen him and to be honest I’m more focused on what I’m going to do.  Let him worry about me, he’s at home so all the pressure is on him, but I’m confident in my own ability.”

How do you see the fight going?

“Without wanting to give too much away we have a game plan and have worked on certain things that [trainer] Mal [Gates] wants me to focus on. I’ve trained like never before and I’m fully focused on this fight. We know what we have to do to win.”

What would it mean to you to win your first title?

“If I’m to fulfill my potential this is the type of fight I need to be involved in, and to win my first title would mean everything to me and hopefully open the door to more title fights.

“I was part of the camp and build up for Nella’s [Anthony Nelson] recent title win so I saw first-hand how much winning a title lifts a fighter, I want some of that.  I won area titles in the amateurs and there is no better feeling than getting a belt put around your waist.”

Another redhead from Sunderland, Billy Hardy, did wonders in the game. How much of an inspiration is Billy to you?

“Me and Billy both boxed for the same amateur club.  He came from the same area of Sunderland as me and paved the way for young fighters like myself. Billy is a real inspiration and was a very under-rated fighter having achieved great things in his boxing career.”

Follow Lee on Twitter @Lee_mould

Follow Team Gates @proboxgates

Follow North East Fight Scene @NE_FightScene

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