Bobby Vanzie's on-off European title fight WILL go ahead on April 27.

Lightweight Vanzie, pictured, has received and signed his contract to take on Sandro Casamonica for the vacant crown in Italy.

Verona is expected to be named as the venue in the next few days for the biggest fight in Bradford boxing history since Richard Dunn unsuccessfully challenged Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight crown in Munich 26 years ago.

Vanzie has kept his head down while the Italian's camp stalled proceedings amid fears the hometown promoter had over-stretched himself.

But now he has finally had the chance to put pen to paper and can push full steam ahead for his date with destiny in three weeks' time.

Vanzie said: "The Italians are so laid back and think everything is cool while over here I've been pestering my promoter all the time to find out what's been happening.

"I thought it was the purse bid causing the hold-up.

"It is a very good one and I began to feel that maybe there was no substance to it.

"There was even talk of us having to move it over here for a lot less but now we've seen the contract and it's all definitely on.

"Normally, once the purse bid is settled, the contracts are signed within days but we've been waiting months for this.

The Italian promoters have taken ages to pull their fingers out."

Vanzie last fought in October when he destroyed Anthony Maynard inside 70 seconds in a defence of his British crown.

Since then he has changed trainers, linking up with Manchester-based Maurice Core, but has refused to be distracted by the shenanigans from the other side.

Vanzie, who will start sparring on Monday, said: "I'm surprised but it doesn't seem to have affected my training at all.

"If anything, I'm working even harder than before.

"By the time I eventually step into the ring I will have been preparing three months for this, longer than any other fight. If I lose it, it won't be through fitness.

"But I'm not even thinking about that. I'm focusing on going over there, beating Casamonica and bringing the European belt back to the people of Bradford.

"I've had my days of messing about with fights and purses. This is the big one which will secure my family's future and bring some glory to the city."