Round one as 'Matt Man' begins in Dudley
The word is out on Matt Windle as pro boxing's newest flyweight hero prepares to reveal himself tonight.
The 24-year-old Brummie, a former amateur at Warley Boxing Club, will let his fists do the talking on his paid debut at Dudley Town Hall.
But the punching poet is equally as well versed penning literature for the masses under his 'Matt Man' alter ego, writes Craig Birch.
Windle's day job is to teach the prose in schools and he was named Birmingham's Young Poet Laureate in 2007 and 2008.
He's paid for his musings and now he'll be paid for boxing, after over 60 amateur bouts for Warley and then the Jewellery Quarter clubs.
Expect a flashy entrance when the wordsworth morphs into fight mode, with opponent Anwar Alfadli the villain of the piece.
Former heavyweight professional and now coach Neil Perkins has a supporting rold as Windle's sidekick, taking his place in the corner.
To mark his debut, Windle has penned a poem called 'Round One' of his thoughts on how his story in the sport is going to pan out.
It reads: "Excitement + a new career = focus. There's no turning back on the path that I've chosen. It's real and it's now I can feel the doubts.
"Transform into courage, completely nourished with body and mind. As the heart on my sleeve becomes clear to the eye, uncertainty surrounds my vision of the unknown.
"Everyone has a plan until punches are thrown and then instinct takes over.
"Proudly in sync with the coach on my shoulder, who I have faith and believe in.
"Through the sweat, the tears, the triumph and the bleeding, I have trust. Losing is unthinkable, victory is a must.
"When the dust has settled and the action commences in the ring, this isn't where it ends, it's where 'Matt Man' begins."
Dudley's Ryan Aston tops the Town Hall bill in a six-rounder against Christian Hoskin-Gomez, who should provide stubborn opposition after his recent run.
The Devon-based Spaniard, with 13 bouts on his record at just 20, has taken two points wins and a draw from his last three outings.
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Tipton's Ricky Summers provides chief support in a four-rounder after ninth months out of action, looking to pick up where he left off with his 10th pro win.
International opposition awaits him at light heavyweight over six in the form of Lithuanian Egidijus Kakstys, an international foe who has competed in over 30 paid contests at the age of just 23.
The rest of the card, all four-round contests, will see Rowley Regis' Tyler Denny undertake a tricky test at light middleweight against the capable Chris Jenkinson.
Unbeaten Denny, a tough southpaw from Shaun Cooper's gym in Brierley Hill, has scored a hat-trick of paid points wins and floored James Conroy in his last contest.
Jenkinson represents a step up and comes to spoil the party. He nearly put a blemish on the record of Bloxwich's Daniel Breeze, who had to win the fourth and last round to avoid a draw.
Netherton's Les Byfield will have his work cut out for him with the durable Dan Carr, who has only ever been stopped once in 83 pro contests.
'The Minefield' is back on track, though, having won on points twice since losing his pro debut. The lightweight floored Michael Stupart last time out, too.
Former world kickboxing champion Brad 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 still on sale. For more information, call 07976 283 157. The show's official after-party is at the nearby Castle Hill Casino.
