GRAYS heavyweight boxer "Big" John McDermott is hoping it will be third time lucky tonight when he goes for the vacant English title.

McDermott has twice gone for heavyweight crowns but has been foiled both times.

He lost in the first round of his British title bout in December 2005 against Matt Skelton at the ExCel Arena in London when the referee stopped the fight.

And his attempt at the English belt was foiled the year before when he lost on points to Mark Krence at the same Docklands venue, although the 28-year-old Essex fighter reckoned he deserved the verdict.

But McDermott is putting all that behind him this evening when he steps into the ring to face Birmingham's Pele Reid, 35, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, east London.

"I've done quite well in my last few fights and I'm feeling confident ahead of tonight," said McDermott, who was born in Basildon and lived in Horndon before moving to Grays.

"I know Reid's a dangerous puncher but he has been knocked down in quite a few of his fights.

"I have swapped trainers and have been working on my defence, so I'm hoping that will help counter the threat of his big punches."

McDermott has spent eight weeks training for the 10-round bout, which heads the undercard for the Gary Woolcombe v Ryan Rhodes British light-middleweight title.

He has parted company with trainer Joe Gregory and teamed up with CJ Hussein at the St Pancras gym in Camden, north London.

"I've been training really hard and have benefitted from CJ's advice as he is a good trainer," McDermott added.

"My preparation has also included sparring in France and after my previous two disappointments going for a title, I'm hoping that it will be third time lucky."

Reid is trained and managed by former WBC super middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall.

RECORDS John McDermott: 27 fights, won 24 (KO 15), lost 3. Pele Reid: 25 fights, won 19 (KO 17), lost 4, drawn 2.