Undefeated light-middleweight Tony Milch is confident of making a successful step up to eight rounds when he boxes for his first title next month.

Milch, who lives in Archway, took his professional record to 10 wins and no losses when he triumphed on points against West Country journeyman Lewis van Poetsch at York Hall on Saturday.

That win, along with all but two of the other nine, have come over four rounds – but the 35-year-old will be facing a bout twice that length next time he steps into the ring.

Milch has been lined up to box for a Lonsdale Challenge belt, which was previously known as the British Masters and will comprise an eight-round contest, at the end of July.

However, Milch, who was out of action for six months after he sustained a rib injury while sparring with WBO inter-continental champion Gary Corcoran, is not fazed by the prospect of a longer fight.

He told the Gazette: “I’ve had 10 fights and now I’m ready to push on for titles. A few injuries have kept me out over the years but I want to keep as busy as I possibly can and box as much as I can.

“I’m guaranteed a title fight in my next one, which is minimum eight rounds for a Lonsdale Challenge belt and then we’re pushing for the Southern Area title after that, which would be a 10-rounder.

“I’ve already boxed a few sixes before now and stamina-wise, four rounds is not long enough for me – it actually feels pretty quick and I’m used to doing much longer than that.

“But it was a good learning fight. It’s different from the gym, going out and putting on a show and I’m glad to get the rounds in the bank.”

Milch, who spent a successful nine-year amateur career with Finchley ABC and now trains with Ian Burbage at the Rosehill Gym in Morden, made a quiet start to Saturday’s fight against Van Poetsch.

But the Archway man raised his game in the second and third rounds, doubling up on his jab and stinging Van Poetsch with a sharp left to the jaw, as well as a string of powerful body shots.

His performance in the final round was tidy, if unspectacular, but more than sufficient for referee Lee Cook to score the contest in his favour, by 40 points to 37.

Milch added: “I was told to box smartly because of the title fight in the pipeline, so I wanted to get a dominant first round without doing anything silly and in rounds two and three I stepped up the pace a little bit.

“In round four I knew I had the win so it was just about going out there, doing what I do and enjoying it. I’ve been out for a while, so it’s good to brush off the cobwebs.

“This is all experience – I’m still learning my game. My opponent has had 40-odd fights, so just being in there with someone like that, who knows the tricks, is great.”