Jason Welborn told to expect another war

Rowley Regis' Welborn puts up his area crown for the second time against Oldbury-based Brummie next month,

Cunningham drops down to super welterweight to again challenge for an area title, after a Fight of the Year contender with Ryan Aston.

Their tear-up for the Midlands middleweight belt at Dudley Town Hall on May 21 reached a thrilling climax, with two seconds left of the sixth round.

Defending champion Cunningham knocked out Aston with both men wildly trading, in a session that has been likened to the compelling trilogy between Ward and Gatti.

Now Cunningham takes up the role of challenger and the chance to become a two-weight area boss, with Welborn the man to beat.

Puncher Welborn will win the 11st strap outright - as he has also done with welter honours - if he can successfully put up the belt for a second time.

The two clash in a 10-rounder at the Futsal International Arena in the Hockley area of Birmingham on Saturday July 16, on PJ Promotions' bill titled 'The Reckoning.'

The keen Birmingham City fan and proud Brummie gets home advantage against titlist Welborn, 30, from Rowley Regis in the Black Country.

Cunningham was raised in nearby Ladywood. The 28-year-old, who trained with Welborn as an amateur for Warley, will be going back to his roots in more ways than one.

He said: "I am getting a buzz from the hype surrounding this, the fight is selling itself. It's a home from home, for me, as I grew up just down the road from the venue.

"It makes sense. It's going to be a great fight. I'm in boxing for the big nights and, obviously, the fans loved the last one.

"It's another tough opponent, he's a big banger and a tough guy. All of his shots are going to hurt if I don't be careful.

"Everyone forgets we came from the same amateur gym, I was just starting there when he left to turn pro. I've known him for years.

"Each fight you've got to treat differently and train differently, no two are ever the same. I'll take it as it comes, work the jab but if we have to go into those trenches again, that's what we will do.

"You can talk about game plans, but that can all change when you are in there. Me and Ryan Aston proved that."

Less than two months will have elapsed from his punishing slugfest with Aston when he steps through the ropes with Welborn.

Their battle of the southpaws went into shoot-out territory as both combatants threw hell for leather with the left hand, with Cunningham the last man standing.

He said: "People shouldn't go around thinking that Ryan can't bang because, believe me, he does. I just expected him to box more.

"It ended up being a brawl. It was a clash of styles. When we went to war, I had to go with him and, in the end, I got the result."

Cunningham's coach Jon Pegg, from the Eastside gym in the second city, had one of the best seats in the house from the corner.

He's a student of the game and made the comparison between the conclusion and round nine of the first clash between Ward and Gatti, which won the Ring Magazine's top bout in 2002.

And the trainer is excited to see how his charge fares against two-time British title challenger Welborn. He has more than double the amount of Cunningham's TKOs, with seven to four.

Pegg said: "Craig and Ryan was a like a small hall version of Gatti-Ward. They took turns in hurting each other and both of the lads answered questions about themselves.

"They showed people a lot of things that they didn't know they had. Now Craig is going straight into another fight that has the potential to do it again.

"Ryan punches very hard and is also very correct, whereas Jason brings a lot more aggression. I actually think their power is quite even.

"Craig has got to do what he does best and box, but I reckon you'll also see he hits harder than his record suggests, particularly at super welter.

"He's always been a natural super welter, but his opportunities came at middleweight. He'll be more of a force in the lower division."

Cunningham will again be backed by Team Des Fitness, Kingstanding Self-Drive and Rite Fix in the run up to show time.

His stable-mates Carl Dickens and Kelcie Ball feature on the under-card, where Tipton's Ricky Summers features in chief support.

Boxing's only professional poet Matt 'Man' Windle also appears, as does fellow flyweight Brad Foster. Midlands title contender Paul Holt and debutant Kane Baker complete the bill.

Tickets for the event are on sale now, priced at £35 and £50 ringside. To buy and for more information, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.