Johnson gets his title shot

The Boston boxer will fight Namibian Willbeforce Shihepo for the vacant light heavyweight belt at the Manchester Arena on September 24.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to win it, I’ve got to win it,” said the 31-year-old, who has won all 15 of his pro fights to date.

“It’s what I’ve always wanted and what I’ve worked hard for ever since I was a kid.”

But Johnson - who won the Commonwealth Games light heavyweight gold medal at Delhi 2010 while representing Scotland - now has an added incentive to win the title.

His dad, coach and mentor Paul, passed away suddenly in February, and since then Johnson has made it his mission to fulfil the ambitions they shared.

“Since I won gold at Delhi we always talked about what it would be like to win Commonwealth gold and a Commonwealth title,” he added. “To complete the set, it sounded good.

“If he is looking down on me then this is my chance to show him we did it.

“I’ve always given 100 per cent, there’s no point being a boxer unless you get out there and give everything.

“But I’m training as hard as I can for this fight, I’m as determined as I have ever been to win a fight.”

Thirty-three-year-old Shihepo - nicknamed the Black Mamba - has won 17 of his 23 professional victories by knockout.

He has also suffered eight defeats, including a loss to former two-weight world champion Arthur Abraham on a unanimous decision in 2013.