Dean Dodge says he is “very excited” to work with boxing promoter and manager Mark ‘Mo’ Prior after signing a manager’s contract, writes Josh Thomas.

Prior, who owns Priority Boxing Promotions, has a number of boxers in his stable, including British champion Chris Jenkins and fighters who fight on Sky Sport and BT Sport.

And Dodge, who insists his future “looks very good and very promising”, admits he is looking forward to working with Prior.

“I’m very excited to work with him, said Dodge. “He’s promised me opportunities and promised that titles will be brought down here for me.

“I know he puts shows on down here and my old manager was up in Birmingham, it just made sense to sign with someone down here and he promised to bring titles down here and he invest in me.”

With talks of a potential October 11 fight Dodge – who is unbeaten in 10 bouts, including victory over English and WBC international champion Sean Davis in his last contest – is still looking for sponsors and very appreciative of the ones he has at the moment.

“I am very grateful for them, without my sponsors I wouldn’t be were I am today,” added Dodge, who currently has Pen Mill Scaffolding, Paragon Services, Southern Limited, Camelot Builders Ltd, Tomahawk Doors Limited, All Sport Insurance and The T-Shirt Shop as his sponsors.

“They are very important, without sponsors I would have to try and juggle a full-time job as well as be a full-time professional boxer – it just doesn’t work.

“You need a wage to cover bills, to cover fuel, license fees, medical fees, nutrition. It’s an expensive sport and without sponsors it would be such a struggle. I’ve got to travel hours for training and hours for sparring.”

Dean Lewis, who has been Dodge’s head coach all through his professional career, said it’s a “good posistive move” and one which would benefit the unbeaten boxer going forward.

He added: “It’s a big move for Dean, as his former manager was based in the Midlands, he was limited in what he could do for him locally. This guy is going to be putting on local shows and hopefully look to get Dodge noticed in London.

“It’s a big move, he’s got a lot of fighters on the big shows, Sky Sports, BT Sport – hopefully down the line this is something that will work out for Dean as well.”