Gloves off in Black Country title fight

The gloves are off in the British Masters title race for Tipton's Rob Doody and Brierley Hill's Martin Gordon as the two collide in a Black Country derby rematch.

Ten rounds between the two welterweights will decide the new champion at Wolverhampton Civic Hall tomorrow, after a final eliminator in Birmingham two months ago for a shot at the belt ended a draw after eight rounds.

With just six miles separating the two fighters, local bragging rights are also at stake on the undercard of the city's first ever online pay-per-view.

And Doody is adamant his hand will be raised at the final bell.

He said: "If Martin even dreams about beating me in this fight he had better wake up and apologise, because it isn't going to happen.

"Talk is cheap, we will sort it out on Sunday and I am going to let my fists do the talking, because it's going to be a completely different story this time."

For Gordon this is judgment day, his first chance to become a champion in the sport, after a patchy professional record with no wins and two draws in his first nine fights was halted by back-to-back wins last year.

But the 27-year-old has never been stopped either, and doesn't expect that to change tomorrow.

He said: "I will be too cute for him and I am going to give it everything I have got, because this is my World title shot.

"I know if it comes toe-to-toe he won't stand it because he's a boxer, I can do that but he won't want to get drawn into it, so he's stuck either way.

"Tomorrow you will see the best of Martin Gordon."

In the first fight Doody was well ahead halfway before tiring as Gordon came back into the fight and, with two more rounds to negotiate and a minute extra each session, there are some worries about the engine of the four-fight pro.

But the 28-year-old begs to differ.

He said: "I had short notice for the last fight, and I tried to cram too much into 10 days. I took the chance and let myself down, because I am better than that.

"Martin has got to know that, and know that I will come in 60 times better for this fight. I have got more than enough in my engine to dance round him for 10 rounds now."

Looking at the first fight, Gordon admitted a poor start cost him, but vowed it will be a different story this time.

He said: "The way I finished the last two or three rounds of that fight is how I will start this time, there will be pressure from the start as I work my way into the fight."

Tickets are still available for the show, by contacting the box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.

The 10-fight show will also be broadcast online live on pay-per view at a cost of just £2.99, through Hatton TV at www.brandhatton.com.