Poet Matt Windle wants the last word
Boxing's only professional poet Matt Windle is ready to settle his war of words through the ropes in Birmingham on Saturday night.
The flamboyant flyweight, the city's Young Poet Laureate in 2007 and 2008, features in chief support over six rounds,
The time for talking will soon be over at the Futsal International Arena in the Hockley area of the second city, on PJ Promotions' bill titled 'the Reckoning.'
'Matt Man' - poet by day, boxer by night - will touch gloves with Derby's Conar Blackshaw and then conclude a spat which started on Twitter.
Blackshaw's coach Jay Shinfield called out Windle for his fighter and, after pleading with his own trainer Neil Perkins, the Northfield stylist accepted the challenge.
It's only a second pro contest for Blackshaw, 22, but he's already been Saturday's scheduled distance and only lost to Craig Derbyshire by a round in April.
Unbeaten Windle, 25, has reeled off three points wins since first becoming the 'Poet with Punch' for pay. He will again head to the ring to the strains of the original Batman theme on the night.
He's spent fight week putting the finishing touches to his preparations at Perkins' new site, the Henrietta Street gym in the Jewellery Quarter, which opened on Monday.
He said: "This kid has done six rounds before, which I haven't, but I've completed three four-rounders. His coach tweeted me to tell me they want the fight.
"He was asking me why my trainer wouldn't let me take it, but then he did. It's all good fun and games, now someone is going to get punched in the face!
"He's been putting me through it in the gym and now we are ready. I'm looking forward to showing my home-town what I can do. It will be unique.
"I have my little bit of fun with the entrance but, when I step into the ring, the mask comes off and the game face goes on.
"People see me as this nice guy, but I have that nasty streak and I know what I've got to do in there to get the win. Anyone who thinks otherwise, more fool them."
Windle is one of just 13 registered flyweights in Britain and hopes to be propelled into the title picture, if he keeps picking up the wins.
Sparring partners for this one have included stable-mate Brad Foster, Commonwealth Games gold medalist and pro champion Don Broadhurst and Frank Warren's Welsh prospect Jay Harris.
He said: "There's been no easy sparring and I wouldn't want it, I'm not the sort of person that needs to beat people in every session to make myself feel good.
"I'm on the wrong end, sometimes, because I'm sparring kids more experienced than me or even at the weight above. It's great to learn from them and pick up what they do well.
"It's only the top two or three that I haven't been in with and we're in contact. I spoke to Iain Butcher (British and Commonwealth champion) on Twitter and he told me I'm welcome there."
The main event will see the Midlands super welterweight title decided over 10-rounds in a champion versus champion top-liner.
Defending 154lb titlist Jason Welborn, from Rowley Regis in the Black Country, puts up his crown against area middleweight boss Craig Cunningham.
Cunningham's fellow Brummie and debutant Kane Baker turns over on the show, taking on experienced hard-man Dan Carr.
Foster, from Lichfield, takes on Bulgarian Stefan Slavchev after watching him go the distance with Broadhurst last month.
Midlands featherweight title challenger Paul Holt, a Birmingham-born southpaw, has been paired with the game Joe Beeden.
Tickets for the event are still on sale, priced at £35 and £50 ringside. Some VIP passes are available at £60. For more information, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
