Prepare for the boxing weekender

First the Friday night of November 27 takes in the familiar settings of the Tower Ballrooms in Edgbaston, where three unbeaten Black Country fighters are on the bill.

Then the focus switches to 'The Venue' in Dudley on the Saturday night of November 28 and as usual it's a hometown affair, with five of the boxers on the card from the town.

All promises the ultimate weekend of thrills and spills in the ring, as the up-and-comers look to strike another win onto their records before the local scene closes down for the year.

Topping the bill in Birmingham is Stafford's only professional boxer Rob Hunt, who is likely to bring an army of followers with him from his hometown for only his third fight of the year but the 14th of his career.

The unbeaten light welterweight said: "It's been a nightmare with injuries this year but I have let myself heal properly this time, and to finish this year topping the bill in Birmingham with my supporters there to cheer me on is a nice way to draw a line under it."

Essington's Ben Wilkes leads the undercard in his first fight away from Wolverhampton Civic Hall, looking to keep up his unblemished record at middleweight after four fights since turning pro in February.

He said: "A boxing ring is the same wherever you go, so it won't bother me fighting away from the Civic. I hope to bring a lot of supporters with me, so it should be a home from home on the night."

Portobello youngster Myles Holder completes the Black Country presence on the show, assisted by Birmingham's Nasser Al Harbi, Neil Perkins, Chris Truman and Terry Carruthers.

Then the following night Coseley's popular light middleweight Jamie Ball tops the bill in Dudley, still fighting through the pain barrier in his bid to record a ninth straight professional win.

The 25-year-old needs keyhole surgery on a torn cartilage in his knee, and will go under the knife in December. Yet Ball will plough through six, three minute rounds with the carrot of being in the main event for the first time his motivation.

'The Bully' will be backed up by Dudley's Sam Padgett, Rowley Regis' Jason Welborn and Worcester's Alex Strutt on the night.

An intriguing Black Country derby will see Dudley's Martin Gordon and Tipton's Rob Doody lock horns at welter, while Stourbridge's Spencer Evans and Dudley's Dean Anderson make their professional debuts.

For your pass to the 'boxing weekender,' call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.