HORNDON-ON-THE-HILL’S Wayne Hibbert is set for another huge fight in one of Britain’s biggest arenas.

The 29-year-old will return to the O2 Arena on January 31 to defend his WBC International Light Welterweight belt against Cambridgeshire’s Tyler Goodjohn.

He will be part of a mega card of fights that is headlined by Olympic gold medallist and British heavyweight hopeful Anthony Joshua.

It will be the second time Hibbert has fought at the O2 after making his debut in Greenwich in October when he stopped Argentina’s Leonardo Esteban Gonzalez to win his WBC belt.

He will now put the belt on the line to face Goodjohn, 23, who has forsaken his English title for a shot at Hibbert.

“We were going to fight for the English title,” said Hibbert. “But where I am now, that would be a backwards step. My title is bigger than his and that’s the reason we are fighting for mine.”

Goodjohn is not the opponent Hibbert really wanted having said previously he is “ at a level above” the Cambridge fighter.

He wanted a chance to avenge one of only two defeats on his record to Dave Ryan or to face highly-rated prospect Ricky Boylan.

But Goodjohn beat Boylan at the O2 on the same card as Hibbert in October which has set up this fight.

“I wanted the Ricky Boylan fight but at the end of the day this has come up. He beat Boylan. I want to fight the best and that’s what I’ll keep doing.

“This is going to be a British title eliminator so it’s going to be massive.”

The British champion is currently Scotland’s Willie Limond but he puts that belt on the line against Wales’ Chris Jenkins, also in January, and Hibbert is determined to meet the winner.

“It’s massive and things are coming together,” said Hibbert, who goes by the nickname “John” Wayne in the ring and has a three-fight deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promotions.

“I’m 29 and this is the first chance I have got to really train as a professional. I’ve managed to get sponsorship from Benfleet Scrap which has been a big help.

“I used to do flooring and have to get up at 6am for a jog, go to work and then go to the gym at night. And I can tell you, flooring wasn’t good for the back and knees!

“I still get up at 6am to do my jog, I suppose it’s a habit, but I have the rest of the day to work in the gym now.”

Hibbert is hoping another big party from south Essex will make the short trip to Greenwich to watch the fight night, which has been billed as Capital Punishment by Matchroom.

Kevin Mitchell and John Ryder are also on the bill.

Tickets are priced at £40, £60 and £100 and are available from the O2 www. the02.co.uk an on 0844 856 0202.