LIGHTWEIGHT Craig Woodruff is targeting two wins in the next month in a bid to break into the UK top 10 and set himself up for a possible title shot this summer, says trainer Luke Pearce.

Woodruff, 27, returns to the ring at the Vale Sports Arena in Cardiff tonight, while he is scheduled to pull on the gloves again on April 11 in Llanelli.

It is then hoped that, providing he gets the job done in both contests, Woodruff can headline a June show at The Neon in his hometown of Newport.

“Craig is currently 13th in the UK lightweight rankings – we’ve taken him from 84th to 13th since he came back to boxing,” said Pearce, who trains Woodruff alongside Johan Berendjy.

“These next two fights will go a long way towards getting him into the top 10 and face a big opponent or fight for a title on June 26.

“We would love to fight for the Celtic title on June 26. It would be a step up for Craig, but we believe he is a level above that.

“Since coming back, Craig has fought across south Wales and in London, so he is willing to take risks, but hopefully the June fight will be at The Neon in Newport.”

As for a potential opponent, he added: “Gavin Gwynne is fighting James Tennyson for the British title in May, so it could depend on how that goes.

“We would take a fight with Gavin – he could defend the British against Craig if he beats Tennyson.

“It would be a good one for the fans as there is that Newport connection with Gavin being trained by Tony Borg at St Joseph’s. That has the potential to be a big fight.

“Craig’s goal is to win the British title and he is prepared to do what he has to over the next 18 months to make that happen.”

Woodruff is set to face Englishman Lee Glover tomorrow night just a few days after he and his girlfriend welcomed their second child, a girl called Kelsey, into the world.

“Glover was down to fight for the English title before his opponent pulled out,” said Pearce. “He is a credible opponent who has got a good record.”

Woodruff, who is managed by Richie Garner as part of Team SMoA, is joined on tonight's bill by unbeaten St Joseph's ace Lance Cooksey and Newport's Sean McGoldrick.