Welterweight Michael McKinson said he is “excited to be back in the danger zone” as he faces South African Tulani Mbenge for the vacant IBO world welterweight title on 19 October.

The Portsmouth-based boxer challenges for the IBO title two years after losing to the highly rated Vergil Ortiz Jr in the only defeat of his professional career.

Since that defeat, McKinson has been frustrated by a lack of quality opponents, having felt that he impressed in his chance against the American despite the loss.

“This is an opportunity I’ve been impatiently waiting for the past couple of years.” McKinson, who has 26 wins on his record, told BBC Sport.

“I headlined in America two years ago and this is the level I want to fight at, Mbenge is a genuinely world-class fighter.

“This is the biggest fight of my career bar Ortiz, I’m fully focused and preparations have gone really well, I’m in amazing shape already.”

Mbenge, 33, has a record of 20 wins, including 15 stoppages, and two points defeats.

Since the loss to Ortiz, McKinson has cruised to four wins, broken down as two technical knockouts and two points victories.

Three of those bouts have taken place in Bournemouth with the other in Rome.

“It was tough to go from headlining a card live on TV in America to then boxing people I’m expected to win against on YouTube streams.” McKinson added.

“It’s exciting to be back in the danger zone again and to be up against someone that not a lot of people think I’ll beat.

“This is where you’ll see the best version of myself, I’m still improving everyday and I’m confident. I’ve not gone anywhere.”

McKinson’s match against Mbenge takes place on the undercard of Adam Azim’s light-welterweight bout against Ohara Davies at the Copper Box Arena in London on 19 October.