Luke Paddock now boxes for a Masters title
Bloxwich's Luke Paddock will have to wait for his Midlands title shot to come - but he will still box for a belt on Friday night.
Paddock has seen both champion Calum Cooper and Chris Truman pull out of facing him for the area light welterweight crown, writes Craig Birch.
But 'Cool Hand' will still undertake 10 rounds of boxing at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, with the vacant International Masters strap on the line.
Cooper was forced to vacate and retire after failing a brain scan, while Truman had a change of heart after taking the fight at two weeks notice.
Now Lithuanian Simas Volosinas has stepped in with days to spare with his stock higher than ever, after scoring his first-ever pro knockout to stun highly-rated Brummie Paul Holt last month.
He's one year Paddock's senior at 23, with five wins and 20 defeats on his record, but frequently goes the distance as Matty Tew, Martin Joseph Ward and Leigh Wood can testify.
Paddock, a product of Priory Park Boxing Club, will get an upgrade of his British Masters bronze belt if he can defeat European opposition on fight night.
The undefeated stylist claimed his first paid honours in March and, like Volosinas, has one stoppage on his pro ledger, saving it for that same night.
Opponent Andy Harris was halted by a hugely-swollen left eye in the last round at Walsall Town Hall, handing Paddock his sixth straight win.
He's boxed another eight-rounder since against capable Bulgarian Kristian Dochev, his first bout against a foreign opponent.
For more information and tickets to the show, call the Civic box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
(Video courtesy of UKO Boxing)
