Local showdown for the British title

An all-West Midlands showdown will crown a new British kickboxing champion when Cannock's Aaron Watkinson takes on Dudley's Rob Rayman.

The two local rivals go head-to-head tomorrow night for the vacant ISKA super welterweight crown at Kidderminster Town Hall in a fight that has been 16 months in the making, after Watkinson pulled out of a planned bout for the English title in November 2009.

A third West Midlands fighter, Wolverhampton's Kyle Williams, will also get his chance at a British belt when he duels with Welshman Caie Copp for the also-vacant ISKA featherweight title.

But it's Watkinson and the experienced Rayman at the top of the bill, as the two finally meet in a much-anticipated tussle for the title.

And Watkinson expects a gruelling battle against one of the most durable Black Country fighters on the beat.

He said: "The key to this will be who has got the best cardio, I want to outlast him, outwork him and outpace him.

"Rob is so durable, you can just hit him, hit him and hit him and he won't go down. He's not one you can knock out in the first few rounds but, the longer the fight goes, the more chance I have got.

"To be the British champion would be the highlight of my career, I could quite happily hang my gloves up after that and be happy with what I have achieved."

Tickets will be available on the door tomorrow night, priced at £25 and £35 ringside.