Rose proud to be first bearer of Lonsdale badge
Brian Rose (22-1-1) will be the first British boxer to wear the Lonsdale badge on his shorts when he fights Joachim Alcine (33-3-1) for the WBO Inter-Continental light middleweight title on Saturday night live on Sky Sports.
Rose, 28, won the Lonsdale belt outright in October when he defeated Sam Webb in Blackpool's Winter Gardens arena and will now don a motif signifying that when he boxes there this weekend.
Every boxer to have secured the Lonsdale strap permanently, including Rose's stablemates Carl Froch and Kell Brook, will have the badge on when they fight from now on. Rose says he is honoured to be the maiden fighter to display the emblem as he aims to prove himself at world level.
"I'm deeply honoured to be the first boxer to wear the Lonsdale badge," said Rose. "Winning the British title outright is the dream of any boxer and It's certainly the stand-out highlight of my career so far.
I was co-promoting myself going for the Lonsdale belt which is something I always wanted to do and I'm glad I did. It'll be sad to give it up but it's not fair on the lads fighting domestically to keep hold of it so I will have to give it up eventually.
There's no doubt in my mind that I'm ready for this but going into the ring with the Lonsdale belt is a huge confidence boost for me. I've got the belt for keeps so I don't mind letting someone else fight for it."
Rose's bout with Alcine will headline a stellar night in blackpool, which will include Wales' Lee Selby (14-1) defending his Commonwealth title against unbeaten Australian Corey McConnell (11-0-1) and Matty Askin (14-2) meeting English cruiserweight champion China Clarke (11-0-1).