Ryan Aston predicts fifth round KO

Dudley's Ryan Aston today predicted he will take out Curtis Valentine in five rounds and claim the vacant Midlands middleweight title live on Sky Sports.

Aston opens the live transmission at 8pm tomorrow night under the bright lights of the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield with his area title tussle.

Nottingham's Valentine has a reputation as a feared puncher with three stoppages in his four wins and a chilling knockout of Luke Robinson.

But unbeaten Aston, himself, has come into power over his seven straight victories with three KOs in his last four contests, two in the first round.

'Tank' also points to the two defeats on Valentine's record as a factor that he can and will be beat, in his eyes, when they step through the ropes.

The 21-year-old halted another big hitter, Paul Samuels, in five rounds last time out and today declared that history is going to repeat itself.

He said: "His punching ability is very respected and I am glad I am fighting someone who can actually bang.

"But all he has really got is one or two big bombs, I don't think there's anything else he can come up with.

"If he comes for a scrap, it will just be a case of keeping it long and catching him with the counter punches.

"Once I hit him, he won't have an answer to my power. I don't think he has been hit by someone has hard as me.

"If I am being totally honest, I think I am going to get him out of there in five rounds. I don't think he can cope with my speed and power.

"When he gets in there, he's going to feel it."

Making the live cut for television is another first to add to a title shot but Aston insists he won't feel the heat.

The Black Country fighter wants to bank the belt then then step up the chase for bigger domestic honours.

The English and then British titles is the most likely path but, first, Aston wants to put on a show for the cameras.

He said: "This will be a nice test for me but this is a stepping stone, I am going to prove how good I am tonight.

"Boxing ability wise, I am much more clever than Valentine all day long, so I want to impress.

"I want titles around my waist and, after this one, I will be looking to move onwards and upwards.

"I am not taking that it's on television to my head too much, because I don't want to get nervous."