Ngāi Tahu boxer Robert Berridge's dream to fight for the World Light Heavyweight championship is now a reality.
It's an opportunity Berridge has been waiting six years for and since his recent win at the Rise of the Fallen event in Whanganui, plans have fallen into place.
A fight was organised for Berridge to face Australian opponent Rob Powdrill at the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Belt in October, however he has been fast-tracked to go head-to-head with world champion Thomas Oosthuizen in South Africa on June 6.
The win from Rise of the Fallen has stepped up Berridge's ranking.