Liverpool super-middleweight Tony Dodson has signed a three year contract with David Hayes' Hayemaker Promotions.
The 27-year-old former British Champion has also reliquished the English Title.
"I've been mates with him since we were kids. He showed me the contract and I was over the moon," Dodson told BBC Radio Merseyside.
He added: "The English title is just a stepping stone. I know I would have beat the kid (Paul David), and it would have been 'oh he was a bum anyway'."
Dodson will fight a minimum of five times a year and a maximum of seven, injuries permitting, for the length of his contract with Hayemaker.
The nature of the shows he will box on were a factor in Dodsons decision to sign with Britain's great heavyweight hope.
He said: "First and foremost I'm going to be on the undercard of all his World title fights, which is something that as a fighter you thrive for and want to achieve."
Dodson became British Champion in 2003 before a series of injuries forced him to give the title up.
"I'm in line for a shot at the British Title so that's what we are going to go for "He has since challenged current champion Carl Froch for the title, getting stopped by a body shot in the third round of their contest in 2006.
Dodson added that recapaturing the Lonsdale belt is his main aim and that he doesn't need the English title to do so.
He said: "I'm ranked number four in Britain so I don't need to defend the English title.
"I'm in line for a shot at the British title so that's what we are going to go for."
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