Lennox Clarke keen to get back on track
Halesowen's Lennox Clarke is eager to make up for lost time when he battles for a belt at Walsall Town Hall next month.
The hard-hitting super middleweight tops the bill when professional boxing returns to the venue on Friday February 19,
Clarke was due to take on Midlands middleweight champion Craig Cunningham last October, but pulled out of the bout through injury.
Brummie southpaw Cunningham has now moved on with the title, which he will defend against Mike Byles at Bedworth Civic Hall 24 hours on from the Walsall card.
The previous evening will see Clarke attempt to seize the British Challenge crown, having previously won the now-defunct British Masters Bronze strap.
Both are competed for over eight rather than 10-round distances, with three-time Southern area title challenger Richard Horton the next choice for the other corner.
The 34-year-old, usually a campaigner at light heavy, has been in with some of the country's top prospects and, with nine wins out of 15 on his pro record, might fancy his chances of an upset.
Clarke said: "Horton is a tough opponent. He's had more wins than defeats and he hasn't got the nickname 'Lionheart' for nothing. He's a step in the right direction for me.
"This is a big year for me. If I want to go anywhere in this sport, I need to make inroads this year. I've got a good team and I'm ready to kick on.
"It was a blow to miss out on the Cunningham fight. It was the chance to compete for a Midlands title against a good champion, but injuries happen in boxing.
"That's behind me now and I'm ready to push on. I want to be active in 2016 and see how far I can go in this game."
The show, promoted by Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing and ring legend Ricky Hatton, is titled 'Undefeated' with eight unbeaten fighters, including Clarke, in the home corner.
Hatton will lead Wednesbury's Sam Evans, Pauly Upton, Reuben Arrowsmith and big heavyweight Nathan Gorman into battle on fight night.
Light welter puncher Evans (one TKO) has yet to be paired as he looks to make it a hat-trick of pro wins, while Gorman is looking for his second paid victory against James Oliphant.
Upton is keeping busy as he goes for win No 12 (one TKO) against former Midlands champion Kevin McCauley, while fellow light middle Arrowsmith (3-0-0) goes up against Chris Jenkinson.
A Black Country heavyweight also features in West Bromwich's Matt Gordon while Sandwell cohort Manny Zaber, from Old Hill, tackles ex-English title challenger Liam Richards.
Gordon (2-0-0) and Zaber (3-0-0) boast unblemished paid records as does Stoke's Kieron McLaren (6-0-0), who completes the card at light welter.
Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are on sale now and can be bought from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.
