Coseley gets another great hope

Coseley's Richard Ghent will follow in the footsteps of his good friend Jamie Ball when he makes his professional debut at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on November 9.

The 20-year-old becomes the other professional boxing hope from the district when he faces Peter Buckley on the 'Crunchtime at Lunchtime' Sunday afternoon show, which will be headlined by 'Steve Saville v Baz Carey: Part Two' for the vacant Midland Lightweight title.

Ghent will seldom come up against a more experienced foe, with Buckley competing in his 299th professional bout. Still, the Coseley's hope has a fine amateur record he will want to build on in the pro ranks.

He won 27 of his 37 bouts at amateur level, reaching three Midland finals, two national semi-finals and a national final. A personal trainer by day, he is relishing the chance to follow in Ball's footsteps.

Ghent said: "Jamie is a good mate of mine and has been for the past four years. He has turned professional now and, watching him develop, it only made me want to follow him.

"I still see and meet up with him when we get a chance and meet for a beer in Coseley - when we are not training!"

The light-welterweight is not feeling nerves ahead of his big bout, instead he is champing at the bit to get started.

He said: "I cannot wait to get started. The time is right for me to turn professional. I just want to get in there, get the first one out of the way and take it from there. It is a hell of a big show, so it will be great to make my debut on such an occasion.

"We all know about Peter, so it will be a tough test for me in my first fight. A lot of fighters have come up against him in their early careers, so it is a learning curve for me."

Ghent is also pleased to be a part of First Team Promotions, becoming the 52nd professional boxer in the stable.

He said: "First Team promotions are a stable on the way up and I feel that it is better to join a team on the way up, rather than one who is already there. That is the way I look at it. I want to be part of their ship.

"I can see the team really growing over the next few years and, as I grow as a boxer, I want to be a part of that. I can see a lot of fighters from First Team going on to real success in the future."

To be there for Ghent's big debut, get your tickets from the box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.