Joshua Burke's path to the Midlands title

Burke wants to get busy on a march towards the area crown starting at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday November 19,

Champion Christopher Keane, from Walsall, has relinquished the belt he won over three years ago and has never defended.

Only Keane and Shane McPhilbin have held the title since 2002, so Burke is hopeful the lack of depth at area level could open doors for him.

Due to his age, the 30-year-old has no intention of hanging around building up his record and then wait for opportunities to come along.

He took a six-rounder in just his second pro contest, travelling to Plymouth to take on old amateur nemesis Courtney Richards.

He only lost by a point, which was deducted from him due to persistent pushing in the third. Subsequently, his '0' is already gone.

He's scored points win either side of that, seeing off Lee Jones and Rolandas Cesna over-the-distance. The latter was at the Town Hall, where he now returns.

He said: "It would look good if I could have a few more fights before going up for the Midlands title, but I would be willing to jump straight in there after my next fight.

"I will have to see what the options are after this fight, but I want to push on and look for titles. I am not in the game to mess about and fight weak opponents.

"I want to challenge myself against the best, so the sooner that happens the better. I am ready to test myself and I hope I can get that chance soon."

Burke must first tackle Aaron Green over four at the Town Hall, featuring on Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing show titled 'Going For Gold.'

A 40-36 points landslide occurred at the same venue last time but he's striving for better, having been less than pleased with the manner in which he defeated Cesna.

Burke said: "I want to put on a better performance. I didn't do the weight properly last time and I didn't eat enough on the day of the fight, so I think that's why I didn't last.

"I felt I started strong and dominated the first two or three rounds, but then I let him back into the fight in the last round and he put his all into it looking for the knockout.

"I am used to finishing the stronger, so it was unfamiliar ground to have someone coming after me, but I put that down to not doing the weight.

"That is a valuable lesson learned for me. I won't be making the same mistake again and, hopefully, that will result in a positive performance.

"I'm looking forward to getting back there again. It is nice to be in the same venue, so you know what everything is like and you can get a feel for the place and the surroundings."

Top of the Town Hall bill will see Manny Zaber, from Old Hill, and Josh Baillie contest the vacant British Challenge super featherweight title over eight rounds.

Four other support contests will support the main event, with Walsall's Martin Gethin and Zach Parker featuring in six-rounders.

Former Midlands, English and British lightweight boss Gethin resumes his campaign at super lightweight, against former English title challenger Liam Richards.

Parker, who was named Best Newcomer at the British Boxing Board of Control Midlands area's annual awards, now takes on the never-stopped Adam Jones.

Chasetown's Luke Jones is targeting a hat-trick of pro wins with his first Town Hall appearance, at the expense of the busy Hussain.

West Bromwich's Thomas Loach is waiting to be paired for his second outing, after beating Ali Wyatt at the same venue on his debut in September.

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are on still sale from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. The show is sponsored by Grosvenor Casino Walsall.

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.