It's nearly fight night for the title contenders
Jason Welborn and Max Maxwell will fight at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday night heading in different directions after their shot at the British title.
Rowley Regis' Welborn is taking a step back to go forward after losing a shot at the British welterweight title in January, Frankie Gavin halting him in five rounds.
Birmingham's Maxwell, 34, is bringing the curtain down on his busy career and could be finished by the end of the year, having boxed for the British light middleweight title.
Brian Rose avenged being knocked out two years previously with a one-sided points win in March 2012, with a similar result recorded for Erick Ochieng's English title last December.
Now Welborn is looking for Maxwell's scalp and believes he can get back into the race for big belts, starting with the British Masters light middleweight strap that's on offer here.
Welborn said: "I'm feeling really strong at light middleweight. Training has been going really well and I have been putting people down in sparring, which is always a good sign.
"Maxwell's a tough kid. He's been beaten by fighters who I want to be mixing with at this weight, so it will be a good test."
Like Welborn, Maxwell has been a Midlands champion. But 'Mad Max' won his up at middleweight and is a strong, game fighter who has been in with some of the country's top prospects.
He said: "I'm one of the few guys out there - and there are only a few - who can fight top lads on a week's notice. That's my niche.
"I'm in good shape and can fight at short notice so, while I can, that's what I'm looking to do. This will be my last season and my aim is to be busy.
"I have been in with top kids – my last fight was Ronnie Heffron for example – and I know what to expect. They don't bring anything that I haven't seen before.
"When you put a title up, there's an added incentive. Everyone wants to win things, whatever the belt. Jason is a decent fighter. He's tough.
"No disrespect, though, I don't think he's going to bring anything to the table that I haven't seen before. I will be ready for him."
Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are available from Walsall Town Hall Box Office by calling 0845 111 2900.
