Friend becomes a foe for Martin Gethin bout
Walsall's Martin Gethin starts his campaigning up at the higher weights with a six-rounder against stable-mate Kevin McCauley on Saturday night.
The former British lightweight champion faces the ex-Midlands welter titlist on Les Allen's dinner show at the Hilton Hotel in Coventry,
Brighton-born McCauley, who is based in Stourbridge, is a battle-hardened veteran and became a centurion on the big Excel bill in London.
The 35-year-old will be presented with a decanter by the British Boxing Board of Control before Saturday's bout, after his points loss to prospect Georgie Kean last weekend.
Friendship will be put to one side for fight 101 in what's considered a good test for Gethin, who is planning to challenge at light welterweight.
British 10st boss Willie Limond was a title rival for the Lonsdale belt at the weight below, until Gethin claimed the crown with a ninth-round stoppage of Ben Murphy in January 2013.
And 'the Quiet Man,' now 31, is making plenty of noise about his intentions to become a two-weight champion before he hangs up his gloves.
He said: "I have been a lightweight since my teens and now the time is right to step up.
"It's become harder and harder to make lightweight as the years have gone on and I think that I'll be stronger and sharper at light welter.
"I'm still ambitious and I look at the British light welterweight scene and think I can be a force. I've held a British title at lightweight and I want one at light welter.
"I've been training for a few months and feel comfortable at the weight. I'm ready to go again and cause a few waves in the division."
Gethin leaves the lightweight division behind after three straight defeats since Murphy, the first a final eliminator for the IBF world title in five to Ammeth Diaz.
Then he relinquished his British strap on a points split decision to Derry Mathews, an attempt to get the back failing in seven bruising rounds with Terry Flanagan.
Meanwhile, Halesowen's Lennox Clarke has also been added to the Coventry bill - just seven days after last boxing.
The undefeated super middleweight, a former white collar fighter, shut out Jamie Ambler on points at Walsall Town Hall. His next opponent has yet to be confirmed.
This weekend's contest is Gethin's first since marking a decade as a professional boxer. For tickets, call 07980 313 414.
