WBU welterweight champion Michael Jennings is aiming to make 2008 his best year yet.

The Chorley fighter is set to make the first defence of his world crown, which he took from Takaloo in April, against Ross "The Boss" Minter at London's ExCel Arena on Saturday, February 2.

And he's planning to keep busy this year to put himself in with a chance of challenging for Paul "The Punisher" Williams' WBO crown, who have Jennings as number three in their rankings.

Jennings said: "You want to try and make every year your best but there's potentially some big fights out there for me this year.

"I'm at the peak of my powers and now I want to take on the best. I want to get past Minter, maybe have one more defence, and then try and get a crack at the WBO title.

"The last couple of years have been a bit up and down and I've not had as many fights as I wanted.

"This year, I hope to have five or six fights and I'm hoping Frank Warren can keep me a lot busier and get me the fights I want."

The 30-year-old Jennings, who boasts a 31-1 record (14 knockouts), can't wait to finally take on Minter, the son of former undisputed middleweight champion Alan Minter.

He added: "I've been lined up to fight him about four times so I'm just hoping it finally happens.

"Minter's a good name and his style should suit me.

"I won't have to go looking for him but I know I have the ability to be able to stand and trade with him if I have to mix it up.

"I did that against Bradley Pryce and against Jimmy Vincent and I'm confident of coming through the fight."