British title fight now seems 'real' to Welborn

Welborn and Birmingham's Gavin went head-to-head for the first time during a press conference at the Bellagio Italian Restaurant in Dudley this week.

The two welterweights will slug it out in the main event at Walsall Town Hall on January 18 live on Frank Warren's television channel, BoxNation.

For Welborn, it's a jump from the frustrating inactivity of five fights in his first five years of pro boxing to Midlands champion to national contention.

The 26-year-old puncher has taken three of his five stoppages in his last four fights and believes he has the power to pull off a Rocky-like victory.

He said: "It's a massive night for me. Being at the press conference made it all feel real. I have waited a long time for a chance at someone like Frankie and I am ready to step up.

"He's a good boxer with a good pedigree but I don't think he's got my strength. I'm strong and can really punch. I want this. This is a massive opportunity for me.

"To be fighting in the West Midlands for a British title is amazing. It's the perfect Christmas present."

As domestic champions go, Gavin is as talented as they come - he remains the only Brit ever to win a world title as an amateur and he should have been an Olympian.

Famously failing to make the weight for Beijing in 2008 curtailed that notion but the 27-year-old has settled into life as a pro and has a perfect record after 14 fights.

He said: "It's come around very fast and I'm happy about that. I haven't been busy during the last couple of years, so to be back out there so soon after beating Junior Witter is a bonus.

"I'm expecting Welborn to come forward and try and take me out. He's not going to be able to out box me so he will be coming to upset me and take me out of my rhythm.

"But I will be too much for him. He's a good fighter at his level but there are levels in boxing and, in my opinion, I'm way above him.

""I'm looking forward to the fight, especially as it's in the Midlands. Walsall Town Hall is a lot like York Hall, where I won my title, so I can't wait.

"It will be an electric atmosphere in a sell-out venue."

In chief support will be two Walsall fighters going for titles and Martin Gethin's time will finally come, against Ben Murphy for the vacant British lightweight crown.

Christopher Keane also has the chance to win the Midlands cruiserweight belt from champion and former British title holder Shane McPhilbin, from Nottingham.

Stafford's Grant Cunningham, the undefeated middleweight from Moss Pit, is another in action and appears on BoxNation for the second time against Louis Byrne.

Cannock's Dave Egan, the former Chasetown footballer, and Burton's Tom Shaw - like Egan, a light welterweight - are in line to make their televised debuts on the bill.

An intriguing all-Midlands super middleweight clash between Birmingham's Andrew Robinson and Leamington Spa's John Mason completes the card.

Tickets are priced at £30 and £60 and are available from Walsall Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.

The show will be live and exclusive on BoxNation on Sky Channel 437 and Virgin Channel 546. Join at www.boxnation.com.