History in the making for the new champion

Paul Holt and Louis Fielding will go toe-to-toe over 10 rounds for the area crown vacated by Troy James in tomorrow night's main event, writes Craig Birch.

Nuneaton-based Brummie Holt and co-challenger Fielding, from Tamworth, take the starring roles for a show titled 'High Stakes,' in tribute to show sponsors Grosvenor Casino Walsall.

Holt is looking to follow in his father's footsteps, with Mark Holt winning a Midlands title outright at feather between 1989 and 1990.

If that comes to pass, he'll be one of boxing's few second-generation champions and almost certainly the first in the area's 130lb division.

The 25-year-old southpaw is determined to make it second time lucky, too, having gone down fighting on points to Bobby Jenkinson for that same super feather strap last year.

Now 'the Incredible' has another opportunity against Fielding who, similarly, could become the first Tamworth-born area titlist.

Stakes are indeed high for both fighters heading into the clash, with a free-from-needle weigh in taking place at the Grosvenor Casino today.

Holt sees no further room for error, having had one shot with defeats to Simas Volosinas and Joe Ham also on his eight-bout pro record. And, for him, it's a family affair.

He said: "I would love to have this belt and get to the same level that my dad was at. Back in his day, I think the competition was even harder with the calibre of fighters.

"I am quite happy to fight anyone and I haven't really got an aim after this, to be honest. I will just keep working hard and just see where my ability will allow me to go.

"I want to focus on myself and make sure I am ready. I will take this as it comes, work him out in the first round and see what he is about, then I'll take it from there.

"I am at a better weight than I was last time. I feel like it's more natural now."

Fielding has endured his own blips during his eight paid outings, with two losses including by TKO to Jordan Ellison last time out.

'Flash,' 26, said: "It was a learning curve (against Ellison). I definitely didn't box to the best of my ability that night.

"I was disappointed, but I spent time with my family after and recharged, so now I have come back with even more motivation.

"Now I look back and taking positives, which is only making me better. It's boxing and you have to learn from your mistakes.

"This is a great stepping stone. I believe it can open doors to different things. It can be a chance for me to go on to something bigger.

"I will just keep my options open and try not look too far ahead, because I don't want to look past this.

"We've heard a lot about Holt. We know what he is like. We have been working on ways to deal with him.

"We know he is tough and durable from the videos we've seen and the people we have spoken to. I am expecting a good fight from him. He will be fit and ready, that's for sure.

"We have prepared a bit differently with him being a southpaw, but we have been training to make sure we can deal with that so it won't be a problem.

"I'm big for my weight at 5'9 and I have a good reach also so, obviously, I will be playing to my strength and that should be to my advantage."

Five support contests will supplement the headline attractions, on a show promoted by Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing.

Manny Zaber, from Old Hill, is an emerging area contender at super feather and will be looking to reel off his eighth win without reply.

In the other corner will be the country's most experienced professional Kristian Laight, who celebrated his 247th paid bout by beating Sean Crowley on points earlier this month.

Wolverhampton's Joshua Burke will also be looking to get busy again, two months later than he was hoping. He was due to box at the Town Hall in July, but had a wrist injury.

Burke has one win and one defeat as a cruiserweight but has already gone six rounds, in an unsuccessful points effort against old amateur rival Courtney Richards.

Now fully recovered, he'll drop back down to four sessions to tackle late replacement Rolandas Cesna, from Lithuania.

Birmingham's Luke Walker is in action at super welter, looking for his fourth victory with all three of his previous paid bouts taking place at the same venue. He's taking on tough brawler Mark Till.

Former world kickboxing champion Chad Sugden will be competing over six, with Telford's Kieron Gray in the other corner. He had been paired with Chris Nixon.

Sugden, 22, held the ISKA world middleweight crown and remains the youngest to ever win a belt from that organisation. The man from Newark in the East Midlands is known as '2 Slick.'

The card is completed by debutant Thomas Loach, from West Bromwich, who debuts at welterweight against veteran Ali Wyatt.

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are on still sale from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900 and will be available on the door at fight night.

The casino, on Bentley Mill Way, will host the weigh-in and after-show party (over 18s). A number of free cars from Yellow Taxis will go from the fight venue to the function.