Ryan Aston paired with Paul Samuels

Dudley's Ryan Aston was today paired with dangerman Paul Samuels on the undercard of Carl Froch's world title fight in Nottingham.

The two will go toe-to-toe in a six-round middleweight contest as part of the Sky Sports bill at the Nottingham Arena on May 26.

Aston had hoped for an eight-rounder with Alistair Warren but now faces Samuels, 39 but still a feared puncher, over a shorter distance.

The Welshman is most famous for the double knockout in his fight with Cello Renda in 2009, one of the iconic boxing moments of recent times.

Samuels stopped Renda in the third round that night and beat him again on points the following year, but has lost three times since.

However, the veteran has boxed at British title level and has the experience of 33 pro contests, with 21 wins and 12 of those inside the distance.

In the main event, hometown hero Froch will attempt to wrest away the IBF super middleweight crown from champion Lucian Bute.