TONY Owen hopes that hitting the road will be his route to the main highway of professional boxing.

The Carshalton southpaw has been putting in the miles since his last fight and gets the chance to test his stamina against Kristian Laight in Bethnal Green tomorrow (Saturday).

After winning in five rounds in his previous outing against Gavin Deacon, a scheduled six-rounder at K2 in Crawley, Owen will hope to continue his unbeaten record when he meets the orthodox Laight at York Hall.

The fight is a step back down to four rounds for Owen but he believes he is going into it fitter than ever after taking his training onto the pavement.

"I haven't had a fight for almost four months but I have been keeping myself fit and I don't see it as a problem," he said.

"I have been doing a bit of sparring, keeping myself ticking over. I have also been doing a lot more running up my road, working for more stamina, as well as the usual gym work. I feel in good shape.

"When you want to fight for titles you need to be in 10 and 12 round fights and that's what I want to build up to."

Owen has been sparring with super-featherweight and International Masters title holder Ben Jones in the lead-up to Saturday's meeting with Laight.

And the 23-year-old says he is benefiting from working alongside the orthodox Crawley boxer, who has 10 wins to his name from 12 fights.

"Ben Jones has a bit more experience than me and he fights differently," said Owen. "I think it is better to spar with boys who are more experienced than you so learn more."

Owen's record could not contrast more sharply with that of his opponent on Saturday – his perfect CV clashing with a man who has won just six of his 89 professional fights, losing 77.

Laight has only been knocked out four times however, suggesting Owen may have to go the distance in his pursuit of victory.

Wisely, Owen is not paying much attention to his or his adversary's respective records and stressed that he does not see the effort of remaining unbeaten as a burden.

"I don't tend to think about it – if you look at most of the greats they all have blemishes on their record," he said.

"I will keep working hard and hopefully I won't lose, but I don't need to let [the unbeaten tag] affect me. I try not to let that put too much pressure on me."

Owen, who paid tribute to sponsors Astral Conservatories, his trainer Bernard and his friends and family, admits he is relishing a return to the ring that would come earlier but for a few postponements.

"I would have liked to have been a bit busier – I am willing to fight every week if I could," he added.

"Now I can't wait. I'm really looking forward to it."