Macca's back for Dudley Town Hall date
Darren McDermott will be back at the scene of almost half of his paid bouts when pro boxing returns to Dudley Town Hall on Saturday.
McDermott's successful Midlands middleweight title defence headlined the last Town Hall show on 28 June 2007,
It was the last of nine ring dates under the venue's lights that 'the Black Country Bodysnatcher' participated in, before stepping up to national level.
A derby battle for the belt between 'Macca,' from Woodsetton, and Wolverhampton's Conroy McIntosh ended in just two rounds, the champion prevailing by stoppage.
Now the retired 37-year-old will be among the spectators eight-and-a-half years later when the region's new generation take centre stage.
He participated in two points wins, a retirement after the first round, TKOs in the third and fifth, his area title victory, two defences and a successful British Masters challenge on site.
He said: "I loved fighting at the Town Hall and it's great that boxing is finally back there. I can't believe how long it's been.
"We packed the place every time I was there and the atmosphere was electric. The queue would be that long, most people would go in the Saracens Head for a pint while they waited.
"There was a fair bit of needle when me and Conroy went in there, as I'd beaten him in the amateurs. He was frightening at the weight, there was muscles in his spit at the weigh in!
"All of the crowd were shouting 'come on Macca,' but you couldn't tell who they were cheering for. As it turned out, the fight didn't last that long.
"He hit me with a left hook and I bounced off the ropes, but I managed to shake it off and land a big right hand off the left. Terry O'Connor, the referee, jumped in and that was that."
Four Black Country boys appear on this weekend's bill in Netherton's Les Byfield, Rowley Regis' Tyler Denny, Tipton's Ricky Summers and Dudley's Ryan Aston.
Aston tops the bill in a six-rounder against the never-stopped Christian Hoskin-Gomez, having become a contender to the English light middleweight title after winning an eliminator.
The 24-year-old southpaw has bounced back from losing two tilts at Midlands honours, at middle and light middle, and remains determined to make the step up.
McDermott moved on to unsuccessfully challenge for British and Commonwealth titles after his Town Hall run, a cut in the former halting his challenge before going down in fout for the latter.
He later won the English crown and landed another Lonsdale belt crack at super middle, before an injury sustained in sparring resulted in brain surgery and the end of his fighting days.
He said: "I hung up my gloves five years ago and I still miss being in the ring. Being back at Dudley will make me wish I could turn back the clock.
"I run a club from my house, Brooklands, which is doing well and I've got my wife and kids to look after, so that's been my focus since then.
"I've known Ryan since he was a kid, I worked the corner in his first amateur fight for Priory Park and it was us who nicknamed him 'Tank.'
"I want to see him do well and I hope he gets up there, in the end. Things happen in boxing and, sometimes, it can just come down to a lucky break."
Also featuring on the bill are debutants Matt Windle and Brad Foster, who will be looking to show there's plenty of promise for them at the lower weights.
Brummie Windle, formerly an amateur at Warley Boxing Club, turns pro on the show and will be looking to have the last word over Anwar Alfadli.
The punching poet, who teaches the literature in schools by day, will be looking to put in a super-heroic performance in fitting with his 'Matt Man' persona.
Super flyweight rival Alfadli will be happy to play the villain as he prepares for his 60th pro bout, having failed to complete the distance on just four occasions.
Former world kickboxing champion Foster, from Lichfield, will become one of the youngest professionals in the country when he debuts against Josh O'Donnell at bantamweight.
Tickets, priced at £35, £50 ringside and £70 stage, are on sale now. For more information, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157. The show's official after-party is at the nearby Castle Hill Casino.
