Gethin close to Commonwealth title

Martin Gethin was today on the verge of landing a shot at the Commonwealth lightweight title in a hometown fight at Walsall Town Hall.

The contract is with champion George Ashie, who has verbally agreed to a voluntary defence of his crown on Friday September 21.

When the deal returns with his signature on the dotted line, the match is made but the venue and Gethin's headline spot is confirmed.

The two-time English champion was previously lined up for the title in 2009 but went on a losing streak that ruled him out of contention.

Through 19 months out with a back injury, it's took him another three years to get another chance but a win over Stuart Green did the trick.

Gethin demolished the Scottish champion in three rounds at Walsall Town Hall in May and will look to do the same to Ashie in September.

He said: "I love boxing at home, I had to fight away from home for so long and now it seems I am at Walsall Town Hall all of the time.

"Having your fans there to watch you, it hypes you up big time and makes you even more determined to do the business.

"It gives me a buzz, it doesn't put pressure on me at all, and this means a lot to me being able to do this in my hometown.

"This is for the town and this is for my family, they have been behind me all of the way."

Gethin was originally due face the winner of Lee McAllister versus Godfred Sawah for the Commonwealth crown three years ago.

Scotsman McAllister vacated last year and the belt ended up in Ghanaian hands, with a title fight in the national's capital of Accra.

Ashie made countryman Bilal Mohammad retire on his stool after two rounds to be crowned the new champion in April.

'The Red Tiger' is a puncher with 16 stoppage in 23 contests but Gethin has warned there will be no stopping him in the ring.

He said: "It's a big title fight, a step up and no fight is easy unless you make it easy, especially if it's a brawl from round one to 12.

"But I can change my style, start off with my boxing and then turn it into a scrap, if it comes to that, over the later rounds.

"I will be aware of his power but I have felt the punch of strong fighters before, stuck to their side and got through it.

"I can walk through any pain, I just put it aside and keep on coming."