King Davidson is set to finally get a chance to win back the WBO International light middleweight title in February.

The Southampton-based Nigerian, pictured, could be forgiven for thinking he is cursed as he pursues the belt.

Having won it in June last year a series of cancellations saw him robbed of the chance to make a defence and he was eventually stripped of the title.

Things were looking up when a big sponsorship deal with Arik Airlines helped set up the chance to win back the vacant belt at the Southampton Guildhall last month, but his opponent couldn’t get visa clearance in time to enter the country and the fight was replaced with a late notice non-title fight instead.

Since then Davidson’s trainer, Wayne Batten, has worked with the fighter’s backers to construct a schedule they are hopeful will finally lead to winning back the belt.

It starts with a bout in Nigeria four days before Christmas and then should culminate in a title fight at York Hall in London in February.

That show is also set to feature Larry Ekundayo, the Nigerian prospect also being backed by Arik.

Batten said: “It has been incredibly frustrating.

“Everything that has gone on with King fighting for this title has been a bit of a nightmare. I couldn’t quite believe the latest problem we had and how it all played out.

“The only word I can think for it is frustrating – every time you think it is sorted out something else seems to go wrong.

“But we have to look to the future and we are now hopeful that finally it will happen in February after King fights in Nigeria before that.

“If we can get that to happen, and with King having boxed at the Guildhall, it is keeping him busy and winning back the belt if all goes well, which is the main aim and so we have to stay focussed on that and try not to let these other things distract us or annoy us too much.”

Batten is also optimistic of arranging a pre-Christmas bout for Alex Dlimaghani as the 23-year-old looks to get his pro career back on track, while they are considering their options for Tony Hill’s next move after the Southampton man impressed once more at light heavyweight in the Guildhall show.