A war of words for the Midlands title rivals

Rowley Regis' Welborn aims to seize the light middleweight strap from hometown hero Carruthers at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham.

And the former British title challenger, previously an area boss at welter, has fired verbal shots at his opponent ahead of fight night.

The 27-year-old has been irked by Carruthers' claims experience will win the day, arguing that the champion has too many "miles on the clock" to pose a real threat to him.

Welborn retorted: "He has a lot to say but I will just leave him to it. All the talk will stop when we are in that ring. That's where I prefer to conduct my business.

"All I will say though is he's says he's fought this kid, that kid. He's not really done anything though has he? He's been a bit of a journeyman, really, taking fights for money at short notice.

"He seems to be training more for fights these days, so good on him. I hope he's trained hard for me. He will find out what I'm all about soon enough.

"He's got a lot of miles on the clock and I will expose that. I can't wait. I've had a good camp and I'm feeling strong at light middleweight. This is the next step. After that, it's onwards and upwards."

Carruthers feels he's the one who is destined for British title contention, saying: "He's had his chance and now it's my time. I'm very confident and I speak my mind.

"I have fought Chris Eubank Junior, beaten the English champion in Navid Mansouri and drawn with Liam Smith, who is the current British title holder.

"I know what Welborn is about and I know I'm going to win. There's the Black Country versus Birmingham rivalry added into the mix too.

"He's coming into my city and I'm going to send him back to the Black Country defeated. I know I'm going to have a good Christmas.

"I will still be Midlands champion and looking forward to a British title shot. It will be a difficult Christmas for Jason, I'll make sure of that."

Halesowen's Lennox Clarke appears on the under-card in a super middleweight bout, while Brummies Craig Cunningham and Michael Rooney compete at middle and light welter respectively.

Tickets are still available, priced at £60 with a three-course meal of £30 for unreserved standard seating, by calling 07540 990 166 or 07450 458 293.