Willie Limond's decision to sign with Tommy Gilmour could pay an instant dividend after it emerged that he is already on course for a European title shot before he has even performed under the promoter's banner.

Gilmour revealed that the 32-year-old former Commonwealth champion is potentially just one win away from realising a long-held dream.

According to Gilmour, the Garthamlock fighter only has to beat Poland's Arek Malek at the Kelvin Hall on June 3 to secure a title fight with the winner of the forthcoming showdown between Irishman Andy Young and Welshman Gavin Rees for the vacant EBU crown.

Gilmour said: "I am so confident that Willie will beat Malek that we have already arranged to fly to Cardiff the next day to challenge the winner of the Murray-Rees fight.

"The bout is being promoted by Matchroom, with whom I have a close association, and I think I can safely say that I can make a deal for Willie to meet the winner."

Gilmour also expects the Boxing Board of Control to install Limond as the mandatory challenger for the British title after pointing out that both Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt were holders of the domestic lightweight belt.

"The next few months will be the most important of Willie's career," he said. "He has so much talent that he is capable of reaching heights he only dreamed about scaling previously. The next three years can be life-changing."

Limond said: "I believe Tommy can open doors for me. I performed well against the likes of Amir Khan and Erik Morales, so I am confident that I am capable of becoming both British and European champion."

Limond's trainer, Peter Harrison, added: "Willie wasn't out of his depth against a truly world-class boxer like Morales. It was fighting at altitude that beat him."