Cards on the table time in Civic showdown

Champion Jason Welborn, of Rowley Regis, defends his light middlweight crown against Dudley's Ryan Aston in a main event grudge match,

It's the jewel in the crown of three 10-round area title fights, with the vacant featherweight and super middleweight straps also contested.

Paul Holt takes on Bobby Jenkinson in the former, while a pumped-up Andrew Robinson is gunning for 'Prince' David Davis in the latter.

They all sailed through yesterday's weigh-in at the city centre's Rubicon Casino and it could be Russian Roulette time in the ring tonight.

Welborn, as a two-weight Midlands boss, puts up his current crown for the first time having won the belt outright down at welterweight.

The two-time British title challenger, age 29, reckons it will be man against boy when he takes on the slick southpaw, five years his junior.

Their needle all come from an interview with the Express & Star where Aston told this reporter that Welborn "needs me more than I need him."

Little acorns grew into the most-anticipated West Midlands derby main event for years, with the old battleground of the Civic again the venue.

It's the boxer versus the fighter, to most, with Welborn taking up the puncher's adage but he insists he will show there's more in his arsenal.

He said: "People just think I am strong and I come forward but I can box when I'm on the ball, particularly with a good kid in front of me.

"I do also have the punch and if he's going, I'll take that chance, but I've worked on skill in the gym and ticked all the boxes in my training.

"I just need to put it into action now and, whatever he brings, I'm going to be ready for. I am expecting 110 per cent from Ryan Aston tonight.

"When I go into a fight, I mentally tell myself 'he isn't going to beat me.' It's just the way I am, it's in my blood and I don't think about losing.

"I've put all the talk behind me, I just want to get in there and see what's got to offer. He's got to step up and I need to be fighting these opponents.

"It's here and we will both do what we have got to do. May the best man win."

Aston, a confident young man by rights, has remained coy all throughout the build-up as Welborn tried to get under his skin a number of times.

'Tank' has almost been in a trance for several weeks with his mind firmly on business, with the consequences of losing too difficult to think of.

Lose and that's twice the highly-decorated amateur has fell apart at the Midlands title stage. But if he pulls it off, it's him and not Welborn whose heading for the national stage.

He said: "Talk is cheap, all that bravado doesn't bother me. I'll do my talking in the ring. Mind games won't work with me, it isn't going to wash.

"I don't care about those things, because actions will speak louder than words tonight. All you need to expect is me in there doing what I do best.

"You could call this the boxer versus the fighter, but you never know what I could have up my sleeve. Enjoy the show, you're in for a cracker!"

A number of tickets are still available this afternoon, by calling the Civic box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157, or on the door tonight.

The Rubicon Casino will also stage the show's after-party tonight, with free membership and a buffet for everybody who attends.