Doherty thrilled by Garden chance

Doherty plans to return to the Garden in 2009 as a champion

Wales' Tony Doherty says he will relish the dream opportunity of a fight at Madison Square Garden on the Roy Jones v Joe Calzaghe undercard (8 November).

"It's a venue of legends, all the greats have been there - Robinson, Ali, Foreman," said Doherty, who will drop to light-welterweight for the fight.

An opponent has yet to be named for Pontypool-based Doherty, 25.

Dmitriy Salita is a possible foe, as he is in Jones' camp and hugely popular in his home city of New York.

606: DEBATE Is Madison Square Garden still "boxing's Mecca"? Sean_D

"That would be a wonderful fight and an opportunity for me in his back yard," said Doherty of the Ukraine-born Salita.

"It would really excite me, I'd be up for that one."

Doherty - who is trained by Enzo Calzaghe and promoted by Frank Warren - has lost just one of his 22 fights, a points defeat to Kevin McIntyre, and has nine wins by knock-out.

He has been campaigning at welterweight, but after defeating Barrie Jones in his last outing he missed out on a shot at Kell Brook's British title because he could not make the weight in time.

"I've got over that and I'm looking for bigger things now," Doherty told BBC Sport Wales.

"I've got up to six in the WBO rankings, and I think I'll be powerful at the lower weight.

"I really want to excite people in New York, to go out there and have some fun.

"Then it would be great to go out there in another year's time and top the bill in a world title fight in front of millions of people."