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Chris Truman lands Midlands title shot

Aston's Chris Truman has been handed a shot against reigning Midlands light welterweight champion Dave Ryan at the end of March.

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Aston's Chris Truman has been handed a shot against reigning Midlands light welterweight champion Dave Ryan at the end of March.

Truman and Ryan will collide at the top of the bill for the area title at the Meadowside Leisure Centre in Burton on March 31.

It's a first title shot for 'the Trumanator' after 10 pro outings and represents a permanent shift up a weight class to light welter.

Ryan is the favourite and Truman could be underestimated, due to his 5ft 5in stature which the 27-year-old insists belies his strength.

A display of punching power led to his first stoppage win last September, three months after he lost his undefeated record in one round.

Truman has since took a draw from fellow area title challenger Jon Baguley and warns he shouldn't be taken lightly.

He said: "I know I am capable of winning that title, I believe in myself. To win the Midlands title would be the highlight of my career, so far.

"He's the champion and the favourite and, on the night, I will prove I am at that level. If he comes to fight, I will look to box, I am not looking for a war.

"I want to get my jab working and use my range, if I can do that the power will come with it.

"I know I can punch, my coaches are always telling me how hard I hit."

Guiseppe Daprato can testify that Truman has a puncher's chance, after he was blown out in five rounds at the Tower Ballrooms in Birmingham.

That went some way to easing the pain of that collapse to Lee Jennings, but Truman insists lessons have been learned.

Baguley would have been the biggest scalp of all and Truman insists he won the fight.

He said: "Light welter is my natural weight, I feel strong. I have never, ever felt good boxing at anything else.

"I have had two fights since my defeat, so that's in the past now, but it's definitely done me good.

"It's made me use my brain a bit more, instead of just throwing shots. I feel better, stronger and I look bigger now, everyone says so.

"I would like Baguley again, I definitely beat him last time, but we will see what happens."

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