Aston and Ghent defect to Matchroom

Black Country boxers Ryan Aston and Tommy Ghent were today announced as the newest additions to Matchroom Sport after ditching Hayemaker Promotions.

And Coseley's Ghent, who turned 19 this month, will appear on a Sky Sports-televised Matchroom show just two weeks after his knockout professional debut, at Sheffield's Ponds Forge Arena a week on Saturday.

Dudley's Aston, 20, was also set to be involved but picked up two cuts boxing Dean Walker on the same bill as Ghent last Friday night and, after having the wound glued in hospital, faces a month out.

With Hayemaker set to fold after the retirement of David Haye and the defection of George Groves to Frank Warren, Aston and Ghent became free agents again after their trainer Paul Gough negotiated their release.

Gough, who has had the duo under his wing at Priory Park Amateur Boxing Club in Dudley since they started boxing as children, will now handle all of their affairs after receiving his pro manager's licence this week.

Matchroom, owned by Barry Hearn with the boxing side mainly handled by his son Eddie, have signed the pair to three-year promotional contracts, with Gough tying them to a similar management deal.

And Eddie Hearn has promised to get their new signings busy which, in Ghent's case, will be sooner rather than later.

Hearn said: "I am delighted to welcome Ryan and Tommy to the Matchroom Sport stable.

"Ryan debuted on our Sheffield show and appeared on the David Haye show the next week – that shows he has no fear and is eager to get rounds under his belt which is great to see.

"Tommy made the perfect start to his pro career last Friday night and he's a hot prospect I've been aware of for a while now.

"Both lads have got great people behind them so my job with them both is easy – get them dates so they can showcase their stuff."