Bradley Saunders (L) jabs to the midsection of Ivans Levickis during their junior welterweight bout at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Nov. 22, 2014. Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images.

Rising English junior welterweight Bradley Saunders will face compatriot and Commonwealth titleholder Dave Ryan at the Metro Arena in Newcastle on April 4.

The unbeaten 29-year-old from County Durham, who is featured in the next issue of THE RING Magazine in the ‘New Faces’ section, is aiming for the 13^th-straight win of his career, having secured a fifth-round stoppage over Frenchman Stephane Benito in his last outing.

That victory in Hull last month was Saunders’ first under new trainer Oliver Harrison, who also works with British middleweight contender Martin Murray. He is convinced it was the perfect test ahead of challenging 31-year-old Ryan (16-8, 3 knockouts).

“There’s not many guys that could take the shots that I was hitting Benito with,” said Saunders (12-0, 9 KOs), now promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom. “I am pretty heavy-handed and he took a lot. I was really getting into it and throwing shots with a lot of variety, so it was ideal preparation. I chose to be in the trenches in Hull because that’s where I will be against Dave.

“I had a run the day after the fight, a nice Sunday dinner, and then I was back on the diet and hitting the gym hard. That fight has me in good stead and I am raring to go. I want to bring big fights to the north east, and this is the first one. I have to win and look good to make sure we come back.”

Saunders insists the decision to link up with Harrison is already paying big dividends with regard to improving and developing his ring skills.

“My manager and Matthew Macklin recommended Oliver Harrison to me,” he said. “He’s only really got myself, Rocky Fielding and Martin Murray, so he has loads of time for us – and we can get through a lot of technical work.”

Saunders’ clash with Derbyshire man Ryan headlines the Matchroom show, which will also include undefeated British heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua as well as the professional debut of Saunders’ younger brother, Jeff, at welterweight. It is being shown live on Sky Sports.