GAVIN Gwynne is on a mission to make up for lost time and have the Lonsdale Belt around his waist by the end of the year.

A freak injury in training denied the St Joseph’s ace the chance to fight for the Celtic lightweight strap in March – but now he’s back and raring to go.

Victory over Nicaraguan Arnoldo Solano in Merthyr Tydfil tonight will put the unbeaten 29-year-old in a great position going into the remainder of 2019.

And a crack at that British title looks set to be just around the corner after the British Boxing Board of Control put a final eliminator between Gwynne and Irishman James Tennyson out for purse bids.

The deadline for bids is noon on July 10, with the contest to take place by the end of October.

As far as Gwynne (10-0) is concerned, he must deal with Spain-based Solano (14-19) before thoughts of a clash with former world title challenger Tennyson can occupy his mind.

“I’ve got an eight-rounder this weekend and the Board has put me forward for a final eliminator against James Tennyson to take place before the end of October,” said Gwynne.

“He’s boxed at super- featherweight and is a former British, Commonwealth and WBA inter- continental champion, and a former world title challenger as well.

“He’s a big puncher and 20 of his 24 wins have been by KO, so it’s a tough fight for me, but if I beat him then that’s a hell of a scalp.

“He’s a come-forward fighter and I like to have a war, so I think it makes for a fantastic fight.

“It’s inspiring me to get a good win this weekend because I know the big money fights and big belts could potentially come after this one.”

He added: “I thought I was going to get my shot after I beat Myron Mills last October, but money talks in this game and it’s a business at the end of the day.

“The Board has sanctioned this fight, so hopefully they will give me my shot if I beat Tennyson.

“But I’ve got to get the job done in Merthyr – the Tennyson fight might not happen if I don’t.”

Following eight months out of the ring, the Tony Borg-trained Trelewis native can’t wait to get going again.

“I dislocated my knee in training for the Celtic title fight,” he said. “It was a freak accident.

“I was in a knee brace for six weeks, but I was ready to rock and roll as soon as that came off, and I’ve been itching to get back in the ring. I’m busting for a dust-up.

“Solano is very durable and will come to win, but I’m hoping to get a stoppage.”

He continued: “I’ve been a bit nasty in this camp, even with sparring, because I’m busting to get those big belts now.

"I haven’t got any time to waste, I just want to get in there, get the job done and I’ll be back in camp next week and training flat out for that next fight.

“My aim is to win that British title, and hopefully I can do it before the end of the year. I want to have that strap around my waist by Christmas.

“Nothing is going to stop me. I’ll go through everyone in Britain if I have to!”

Gwynne’s former St Joes stablemate Joe Cordina is the current British lightweight champion after stopping Andy Townend in April.

Father-of-one Gwynne says he is open to a fight with the Rio Olympian, however, he feels Cordina will vacate the title and target the European crown.

When asked if he fancied an all-Welsh encounter, Gwynne said: “That would make for a fantastic fight and could sell out the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.

“If it happens, it happens, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But I think Joe is moving on to European level.”

Also on the Merthyr bill, Gwynne’s St Joes sparring partner Lloyd Germain makes his professional debut in a four-round contests against Danny Little.

Swansea’s Kristian Touze, Carmarthen’s Angelo Dragone and Ammanford’s Jake Anthony are in action as well.