Boxing back and bang on for January

Boxing is back for 2010 – and January starts as it means to go on.

Fight fans have been starved of action over the festive period, as the sport shut down for the year in the middle of December.

Unless you fancied hopping over to Belgium for Christmas Day, where a seven-fight show was staged in the province of West Flanders. There were also cards in Russia and Ukraine for those with a private jet nearby.

But, for us mere mortals, all we can do is wait until the scene in the West Midlands sparks back into life for 2010.

It all starts with Stourbridge's British and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Rob Norton defending his titles in a rematch against Sunderland's David Dolan this Friday night on Sky Sports.

Last February's first fight at the Aston Arena, where the Black Country southpaw defended the Lonsdale belt for the first time and won the vacant Commonwealth crown, was a classic.

There were five knockdowns over the distance, which went to the judges' scorecards after a gruelling 12 rounds. Norton look dead and buried after eight sessions after hitting the mat three times, but rallied to floor his opponent twice before the end.

A particularly brutal assault had Dolan careering towards the ropes in the 11th round, but the challenger managed to cling on until the final bell.

His camp still dispute the final decision, and there's only way to find out once and for all who is the better fighter.

We'll find out this Friday but, frustratingly, not at Wolverhampton Civic Hall – the Hattons and their merry men decided to switch the venue to Altrincham Leisure Centre.

But closure is closure – and West Bromwich light middleweight Marcus Portman believes Norton will knock him out this time.

The former WBF world title holder has trained with the champion at Wednesbury Boxing Academy in the run-up to fight night, and has been impressed by what he has seen.

Portman said: "Dolan may have knocked him down three times last time, but they were just flash knockdowns.

"That won't happen again, he will be ready for him this time. I have seen Rob spar at our gym in the run up to the fight and he's looking strong."

"I reckon he will do him on the night - and I don't think it will be so close this time."

There will be another quest for domestic glory on the undercard, as Walsall lightweight Martin Gethin fights for the vacant English title against Graeme 'Dezzie' Higginson.

It could be a case of second time's a charm for the talented 26-year-old, who could take home the belt again after a three-month reign in 2008.

Looking forward to the first West Midlands bill of the year, Dudley's punching postman Chris Male is among the attractions at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham on January 28.

'The Male Man' is the No 1 contender to the Midland featherweight title, but will warm up for the challenge with a six, threes against Reading's Ibrar Riyaz.

He said: "No one in this division is a million miles in front of me, I just need that bit of seasoning and experience."

Elsewhere on the bill, a four-fight dinner show hosted by guest speaker John Conteh, West Bromwich welterweight Wayne Downing will come out of retirement for a Black Country derby.

The popular 30-year-old ends an eight-month exile from the ring to take on Dudley's Martin Gordon with the vacant British Masters title at stake. The two have locked horns before, with Downing the winner on points in December 2006.

Stourbridge's Midlands super middleweight champion Sam Horton will also go for a Masters, taking on Welshman Jamie Ambler for the up-for-grabs belt at middle.

Coventry's former English middleweight champion Steve Bendall completes the card.

For tickets, call 07976 283 157.