Cardle's eyes on the future prize

Cardle goes into tonight’s fight knowing that a victory will secure him a Lonsdale Belt outright.

He said: “I don’t feel like I am standing still with my career but I want to get this done and dusted, get that belt for keeps and then I can move on and look to the European title – but my mind is totally focused on Robbie.

“This is my last defence and i want to go out with a bang.

“I need to prove that I’m above British level and prove that my aspirations at a higher level are achievable.

“I’m never look past any fight especially one that means so much to me, but I’m not satisfied just with this level.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m honoured to be British champion and I’ll be so proud to hold the title for good, but I’ll be looking further as soon as I can and that next step in my eyes is the European title.

“I don’t want to hang around and get the Commonwealth title or anything like that.”

Edis Tatli holds the European title but has yet to fight outside Finland, so Cardle accepts that he may have to travel to challenge for that belt, and he’s open to a third bout with old adversary Sean Dodd and hopes a fight with London 2012 gold medalist Luke Campbell can be built into a huge clash.

“There are big fights out there at lightweight and I am ready to step up and take them on,” Cardle said.

“I’d love to fight for the European title. Tatli is very upright and strong, he’s built big for a lightweight but his style is straightforward, he throws straight shots and he’s a bit robotic, but he’s got power and it would be a good fight.

“I don’t think he’s boxed outside Finland so it could be an away day for me but that’s not a problem because I boxed all over the world as an amateur.

“Sean Dodd III? It could happen, I’d never rule it out but I want it to happen up here.

“We’ve boxed in Liverpool twice so if we do it again, it’s got to be in Glasgow. He’s gone down the WBC route and now he’s fighting for the Commonwealth so he’s in a good position. People want to see the third one and if we’re both successful then we can do it again.

“Luke is in a big fight at Wembley and he’s past the British stage now which is credit to him.

“That also means that if we do fight one day, it will probably be for something even bigger, which would be great.”

At the weigh-in, both boxers were within the 9st 9lb limit.

Cardle was nine stone and eight-and-a-half pounds, Barrett nine-stone eight-and-three-quarter pounds.