'Cool Hand' Luke hopes to strike it lucky

Had it not been for misfortune, the Midlands light welterweight champion would've had no luck at all so far in 2015,

All year the unbeaten 23-year-old has been trying to defend the title he won last December, outpointing Josh McLaren convincingly away from home.

First Paddock was due to put the belt up-for-grabs against Newark's Fergus Taylor in March, only for his opponent to be ruled out on medical grounds by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Then the board made Aston's Chris Truman - who was due to meet Paddock for the vacant crown last year but pulled out injured - his mandatory challenger.

Truman cried off again with a shoulder problem so in came old amateur rival Andy Keates, from Leek, as a match for Wolverhampton Civic Hall on June 6.

It looked as if Paddock was finally going to become a fighting champion which, if successful, would be half of the job done towards winning the strap outright.

But then he was laid low by a norovirus himself, so was forced to withdraw. He's hoping his battle for the belt will now come at Walsall Football Club's Banks's Stadium this autumn.

Keates - who won three to Paddock's two in unpaid bouts between the pair - is a score to be settled, while Newark's Adam Kettleborough and Brummie Marcus Ffrench are also in the frame.

Paddock said: "It's been frustrating for me, when all I want to do is fight, and I'd have already had the belt for my own if things had been different.

"I was hoping to have defended the belt twice by now, I believe I am passing that level and want to be pushing towards the English and British titles.

"I'm the one who has it all to lose, so I have to show that I'm better than just being a Midlands champion. These next few months are vital for me.

"It's nothing personal between me and Keates, it's only ever been just business. He's got his bragging rights, at the moment, but the pros is a different game altogether.

"A title fight against me is for 10 rounds, not the three we boxed in the amateurs. And he's only ever beaten me by majority or split decision, while one of my wins over him was unanimous.

"I think I would be too much for him now but, if he thinks different, let's find out. Should that not happen, I'm fine with giving a shot to someone else."

In the meantime, Paddock makes do with a four-rounder against Liam Richards, a former contender to the English super bantamweight title.

'Rocco' has travelled up the weights since then and gone into journeyman mode, but has never been stopped in 21 pro bouts.

Paddock will be looking for another keep busy win to add to victories over 'Fonz' Anderson and Matt Seawright, his only ring run-outs this year.

He said: "It's a decent test and he's still a bit of a name, so I am up for this one and we've done our homework. If I can get him out of there, what a result that would be.

"He's a naturally small man at the weight, so I'll stalk him down and try not to waste any punches. I'll be looking to hit short, sharp shots.

"I'll work off the jab at long range and use my movement to get inside and work the body and head. At close quarters. I'll have the upper hand."

Another Walsall prospect, welterweight Daniel Breeze, is also on the card alongside Ben Wilkes, from Essington.

Fellow light middle Craig Morris, from Ludlow in Shropshire also features along with super middle Carl Dickens, from Redditch, who is looking to bounce back from his first pro defeat.

Two debutants from West Bromwich complete the card in big heavyweight Matt Gordon and Jack Summers, who turns over at super feather.

Infitting with Independance Day, there will be a range of American inspired food and drinks available on the night.

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are still available from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900 and on the door come fight night. First bell is at 7.30pm.