Up and coming British heavyweight contender Arlo Stephens says he is ready to wreck havoc on the domestic scene after linking-up with Tyson Fury's manager Spencer Brown.
Brown has held a long-term interest in the ferocious 29-year-old, who has been tipped to challenge for the British title in the coming months.
A troublesome injury has derailed his progression since ironing out Viktar Chvarkou in emphatic fashion last June, but Stephens is expected to be back in action sooner rather than later.
Ahead of his return, the fighter has signed a contract to work with Brown, meaning he joins an illustrious stable of heavyweights which includes lineal heavyweight champion of the world Fury, number one ranked contender Parker as well as the dangerous American operator Jarrell Miller.
Justis Huni - who is set to tackle Fabio Wardley at Portman Road this weekend - is another fighter represented by Brown, and somebody Stephens has spent time sparring with.
Speaking to Boxing News, the Yorkshireman revealed his desperation to make up for lost time and wreck havoc within what he feels is a lackslustre domestic heavyweight scene.
"I’m looking to get out every month until the end of the year and then fight for a title," he boldly stated.
I’m making up for lost time, and if I’m not ready for titles next year, I’m wasting my time because I don't rate anybody outside of the top boys.
- Arlo Stephens (Boxing News)
"It’s been hard sitting here watching rubbish heavyweights get big pay days while I’ve been injured.
"I don’t think any of them would be a hard fight. They are just big and tough and I’m big and tough I can box as well - they can all hit, but they will be hitting fresh air against me."
Stephens went viral with his devastating stoppage of Chvarkou last time out with a sledgehammer-like right hook shaking the tough Belarussian to his core.
He credits multi-weight world champion Gervonta 'Tank' Davis for the manner of his eye-catching stoppage.
"Davis loses the first few rounds and then cleans them up,” he added, "and I knew if I let him win a couple of minutes, he would relax set his feet and then I could take him out."