Paul McCloskey's year has got off to the perfect start after being installed as the No.1 challenger for the European light-welterweight title.

Promoter Brian Peters described the new ranking for the unbeaten Dungiven man as "a real coup", following on from his British title success last month when he forced Colin Lynes to retire in their vacant title fight.

The European Boxing Union's decision means that champion Gianluca Branco must face him within the next six to nine months.

Though, Branco is first scheduled to face former champion Junior Witter of Sheffield and purse bids for that fight are to be opened on January 19.

Whether that fight happens is said to be open to some debate as it has been rumoured that Italian Branco is seeking a world title shot and that would lead to him vacating the title.

Subsequently that would leave McCloskey as the next challenger for the title against Witter though he also has his own world title ambitions and is booked for a WBC interim title fight on April 4.

Assuming that Witter shoots for the WBC interim title fight, McCloskey would then be matched with former WBA champion Souleymane M’baye with the fight going out to purse bids.

Whatever the decisions by Branco and Witter, McCloskey is now in a prime position to not only bid for European glory but announce himself on the world scene.

Promoter Peters said: "This is great news for Paul and puts him in a beautiful position. He can relax knowing that his European title chance is going to come.

"A lot of hard work has gone into getting Paul into this position and it has to be said that after his British title victory he deserves to be the No.1 challenger for the European title but in this business you don't always get what you deserve and you need good connections. Mick Hennessey has helped us a lot.

"I would be very confident that whoever Paul faces for the European title he would have a great chance of winning."

Victory in a European title fight would immediately catapult McCloskey into the world’s top ten and manager/coach John Breen believes he would be ready to join the major league.

“I’ve no doubt that Paul has the class to be a major world champion,” said Breen.

“It’s fantastic news that Paul is the No.1 challenger for the European title because that opens the door to a world title fight.

“Paul proved his potential when he defeated Colin Lynes and even then I thought we didn’t see the best of Paul. I know that he has at least another 50 per cent improvement in him.

“Now we just have to wait and see what happens with Branco and Witter but if all went to plan Paul could be just four or five wins away from a world title shot.”

In the meantime, McCloskey is being lined up for a first defence of his British title, probably in March in Belfast.

A voluntary defence has yet to be decided, though the British Boxing Board of Control may step in and nominate former champion David Barnes.

Barnes pulled out of a defence against Lynes, which led to McCloskey stepping in at a week’s notice and causing an upset.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Lurgan’s Stephen Haughian will box Billy Walsh for the Irish welterweight title on February 7 at the Craigavon Leisure Centre.