Saddlers give cash to Pleck through the pros
Pro fighters helped give something back to the grass roots of boxing during the half-time break of Walsall's home clash with Fleetwood on Saturday.
Paid pugilists Ben Wilkes and Sid Bowater handed over a cheque to Pleck Boxing Club, where beginners in the town go to start the fight game,
They benefited from the generosity of the Football Association's Community Shield, who hand a donation to each club in the league each year.
The funds are gleaned from the general admission, net income of match expenses and profits from the sale of the match-day programme.
Walsall have chosen to back their club's community initiative and Pleck BC, run by boxing brothers Terry and Tony Leonard, with the cash.
Essington's Wilkes is returning from a five-year absence while Wolverhampton's Bowater debuts at welterweight at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday April 25.
Bowater said: "It was a pleasure to help out. It's nice to have been invited.
"As I prepare for my professional debut, it's nice to know the amateur stars of tomorrow are receiving a helping hand."
Wilkes, a light middleweight with one defeat from seven pro contests, and Bowater feature on an eight-fight card that should prove a knockout.
Stafford's Rob Hunt and Nuneaton's Sullivan Mason top the bill, when they contest 10 rounds for the vacant Midlands welterweight title.
Area light welter champion Luke Paddock, from Bloxwich, features on the under-card alongside two former Midlands bosses.
Rowley Regis' Jason Welborn, also twice a challenger to the British light middleweight title, features as does Stourbridge's Steven Pearce.
Popular middleweight Warren Sinden, from Welshpool, and Burton-based light welter Tom Shaw also appear on the show.
Another light middle Craig Morris, from Ludlow in Shropshire, competes the card as he also makes his paid bow.
Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are available from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.
