From amateur to pro for Priory Park prospects

The six, who all boxed under the Priory Park ABC banner in the unpaid ranks, never had to leave their old amateur gym to turn over with trainer Paul Gough.

Tipton's Ricky Summers reached a national ABA semi-final with Lions ABC, just down the road in Dudley, later going with Gough after he had turned pro.

First up is a show at the HMV Institute in Digbeth, Birmingham, a week on Sunday afternoon where Coseley's Tommy Ghent and Ryan Corrigan will both box.

It's Corrigan's debut after national ABA Schoolboys glory for Priory Park and the punching plasterer has been adamant he wanted to turn pro for over a year.

The 20-year-old lives just around the corner from Ghent, a vastly-talented welterweight who turned pro aged just 18 and returns after a year out with back and groin injuries.

Both face Lithuanian imports - Corrigan has been paired with the experienced Simas Volosinas while Ghent will be squaring up to the sturdy Aleksas Vaseris.

The duo bring an all-action style, with Gough saying: "I think Tommy has got a bit of Mexican in him, he just likes to fight! But that's his make up, just the way he is.

"He's looked class in the gym, he's actually faster than he was before and he's such a spiteful puncher. He's a nightmare to spar with, all of the lads are telling me that!

"Ryan is a sharp punching southpaw and a good counter puncher, but he can be aggressive. He's got everything that I want, so I have turned him over."

The most experienced of the 'Priory Pros' is Dudley's Ryan Aston, a nine-fight middleweight. For him, it's the Carl Froch-Mikkel Kessler undercard in London on May 25.

Before that, 70 years of pro boxing at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on March 9 is celebrated at the venue with a full fight bill, with three of Gough's fighters on the card.

Summers takes in his second paid contest and his first under Gough, having first trained under Shaun Cooper in Brierley Hill when leaving Lions last year.

The 25-year-old has had family problems and will want to catch up on the four fights Lions club-mate Andrew Robinson has since turning pro at the same time.

Gough said: "He's settled enough and he's got a good schooling. Even now, he's got the experience to do well in the game."

Bloxwich's Luke Paddock, 21, also competes in fight No 2 on the Civic bill having his debuted there at light welterweight in November against Matt Seawright.

'Cool Hand' Paddock had to box smartly and see out a points win against an opponent who had come to win and Dan Carr, of similar stock, will provide a similar test.

Gough said: "Luke had to work hard on his debut, which is what I wanted, and will see more of what he is like. He's got to stick to what we have been working on."

The Civic bill also marks the returns of Lance Brooks, a 26-year-old traveller who famously boxed with ligament damage, torn tendons and bruising in his right leg.

The light welterweight is back at the Civic five days short of three years since that fight - his debut, a points win after Bheki Moyo - and has been away for personal reasons.

He gets Seawright this time and Gough said: "Lance has already proved he is a tough, tough lad but I will be looking for him to box clever, although we will see on the night!"

On February 22, the amateurs at Priory Park will have their night in the limelight with their Friday night club-show at the Baggeridge Social Club, Lower Gornal.

Bantamweight Josh Aston - cousin of pro Ryan - has been pencilled in for the main event, depending on his involvement in the junior ABAs.