A box of tricks could decide the English title

The vacant national belt will be contested by co-challengers Luke Paddock and Anthony Upton on a Sunday afternoon show,

A new champion should be crowned at the Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock, on a bill titled 'Danger Zone.'

Paddock is the fighting pride of Bloxwich and a former Midlands champion, who has battled back from losing the area belt to land himself a step up.

Essex's Upton went for the English crown at Walsall Town Hall in December and had to climb off the floor to go the distance, where he was outpointed by Joe Hughes.

Hughes relinquished the strap on the proviso he take on the winner of this contest, so will be waiting in the wings.

Paddock will look across the ring and see boxing legend Ricky Hatton stood alongside his opponent, as he's his coach.

Hatton co-promotes the show with Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing, too, and has placed trust in his man to make it second time lucky.

Paddock is keen to spoil the party and emulate his natural rival Martin Gethin, the last man from the Walsall area to win an English title.

'Cool Hand' will call on skill for a battle of the stylists, with Upton rated as having the edge on power with four stoppages to his one.

Paddock has two more pro bouts of experience, with both only having ever lost once. A hotly-disputed Midlands title blip to Andy Keates was the last time Paddock went 10 rounds.

An evenly-matched contest could be a treat for the purists, as boxer takes on boxer to find out whose box of tricks works best.

Paddock said: "I'm ready to go now and I'm feeling good. I draw a lot of inspiration from Martin Gethin who, like me, is a Saddler.

"He won an English title back in 2010 and that's what I plan to do tomorrow. Anthony is a very good fighter and someone who is similar to me.

"We both like to box, we've both only lost once, we're both young and hungry, it has all the ingredients for being a good fight.

"I want to bring that belt back to Bloxwich and do the town of Walsall proud."

His foe can't afford to slip up again, having been well-beaten by the formidable Hughes. Hatton can't throw his punches for him, but Upton feels their game plan is spot on this time.

He said: "I'm not going to be leaving the ring without that title this time. Losing to Hughes hurt, but it also made me more determined and I won't let my fans down tomorrow.

"I've had the best camp of my life and I just want to get in there and do the business now. It's about making a wrong a right.

"He's a good fighter by the looks of things. I've had a look at some clips of him on YouTube and he's a decent counter puncher.

"I think I have a good idea what his style is going to be like and I'll be ready for whatever he throws at me in there."

Another Hatton protege featuring is Black Country boy Sam Evans, from Wednesbury, who takes on Stourbridge-based former Midlands welterweight champion Kevin McCauley over six rounds.

Hatton will also lead Anthony's brother Sonny Upton, who has moved into chief support. He tackles William Warburton, who has won his last two fights, at super welter in an eight-rounder.

A six-rounder was due to take place between Nathan Gorman and Dave Howe, rescheduled from the bill of the rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko.

It was made for Cannock but has now been postponed for a second time, due to Hatton's heavyweight Gorman withdrawing because of a hand injury.

Hatton handles middleweight Reuben Arrowsmith, from Market Harborough in the East Midlands. He faces Wolverhampton resident Viktors Drizlionoks at middleweight over six.

Newark's Chad Sugden and Cristian Hoskin-Gomez have been paired in a tasty offering at super middleweight again over six, with two four-rounders completing the line-up.

Burton's Leon Gower and Craig Derbyshire meet in a featherweight contest, while Derby debutant Sahib Singh Mann's light welterweight bow comes against Daniel Mickleburgh.

Tickets are still on sale, priced at £30 and £60 ringside. For more information and to buy, call 01543 504 065. Doors open at 12.30pm tomorrow, with the option to pay upon entry.