English title bout to be a British eliminator

Walsall Town Hall will be the venue for fight night on Saturday December 5, where champion Joe Hughes defends against Anthony Upton.

The challenger is one of three fighters coached by boxing legend Ricky Hatton to appear on the card, alongside Wednesbury's Sam Evans and Reuben Arrowsmith.

Upton gets his chance at a national belt over 10 rounds in Hughes' first defence and the bout is expected to produce a contender to the British strap, writes Craig Birch.

It's been cleared with the British Boxing Board of Control to be officially tagged with 'eliminator' status, adding another incentive for both contestants.

Hatton said: "Receiving the confirmation that Anthony will be boxing in a British title eliminator was great news.

"He's was over the moon to be boxing for the English title, but now he's got another reason to put on the sort of performance I know he's capable of.

"Anthony hasn't even boxed for an area title as yet, but I believe he's more than ready for the English. If he wins this, then we can start looking towards the Lonsdale belt.

"It's still early in his career and, obviously, we don't want to rush him, but nobody should turn down the opportunity to move closer to the British title."

Hughes, from Malmesbury in Wiltshire, makes his first defence after claiming the vacant honours by outpointing Anthony Hardy in July.

The 25-year-old has the edge on experience having also claimed Southern and IBF International accolades over 14 paid bouts, losing just once.

Undefeated Londoner Upton steps up to the title distance after 11 outings, the same ring time two-weight world champion Hatton participated in before he claimed his first belt, the Central crown.

He said: "Anthony hasn't lost a round since turning professional and he seems to get better in the gym everyday, so I believe he's more than ready for this.

"He's at the stage where he's making that step up to title level. I won my first pro title in my 11th fight at the same weight.

"I can gauge where he's at well and he's more than ready to take the fight to Hughes. It won't be easy, as he's a very good champion.

"I just feel we'll have the game plan to ensure Anthony beats him."

Evans and Arrowsmith await their opponents after debuting with wins at Walsall Football Club in October, as Hatton worked their corner.

This time, 'the Hitman' co-promotes the show with Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing, who have matched six four-rounders for the under-card.

Wolverhampton's Des Bowater returns to action, nearly six months after missing his chance to go for the Midlands featherweight title.

'The Wednesfield Warrior' was ruled out of the bout through illness and then suffered a serious hand injury at work, but is back fit again.

'D Bow' will face Andy Harris still smarting at how Bobby Jenkinson seized the area crown and went on to win the Commonwealth title.

West Bromwich's Tom Stokes blew off the ring rust from a 18-month lay off at Walsall Town Hall last month and heads back to the venue.

The middleweight, still just 20 and undefeated after five bouts, has been provisionally paired to go toe-to-toe with the fearless Mark Till.

Super featherweight Jack Summers, also from West Bromwich, could make it a hat-trick of paid wins when he takes on the never-stopped Ian Halsall.

Brummie middleweight Luke Heron scored a TKO over fellow debutant Bryn Wain on his bow and now tackles Polish hard-man Robert Studinski.

Shropshire's Craig Morris has been paired with William Warburton in light middleweight action, while Stoke's Kieron McClaren steps in with former English title challenger Liam Richards at light welter.

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are on sale from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.

The after-show party and pre-fight weigh-in will take place at the Makoto Bar in Bridge Street, Walsall.