Downing hanging up gloves

Popular West Bromwich fighter come trainer Wayne Downing will have one final fight at the end of this month before hanging up his gloves for good.

Southpaw Downing, who fights at Light-Middleweight will fight Scott Conway on First Team's bill at the Meadowside Leisure Centre in Burton-On-Trent on Sunday 31st May. It will be 29 year old Downing's 13th fight since making his pro debut in 2006 and he will hope to go out on a high. Downing's record currently stands at 4-8-0.

It will certainly not be the last we see of Downing who holds a professional trainers licence, near a boxing ring. He is intent on concentrating on the training aspect of the sport. He already works the corner for the First Team stable under the tutelage of experienced trainers Errol Johnson and Bob Plant and hopes to help nurture the stable's ever growing number of fighters.

Can Macca pull it off?

Twelve months ago Dudley Middleweight Darren "The Black Country Bodysnatcher" McDermott challenged for the British title in a midlands derby against the then champion Wayne Elcock losing on a nasty cut from a head clash in the second. This Saturday in Watford McDermott fights again for a major title, this time the Commonwealth strap, against "Dazzling" Darren Barker live on ITV4.

Since the defeat to Elcock (and subsequent loss of his undefeated record) McDermott has gotten back on track with an impressive English title win beating Coventry's Steve Bendall at the Birmingham N.I.A in February. He has also less impressively beat Jamie Ambler over six rounds in a keep busy fight only a month ago at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

Many pundits, fans and boxers alike don't give McDermott much of a chance, feeling the slicker Barker will out skill and outbox the Dudley man. However I believe if McDermott can make a fight out of it, making it a gritty affair whilst also landing some big shots testing Barker's chin he could force a stoppage, the odds are against him though.

Controversial shock defeat for Gethin

Walsall's Martin Gethin lastnight suffered a shock defeat in what should of been a routine 'back to winning ways' four rounder. Gethin was beaten by capable journeyman Chris Long on a three fight bill held at Birmingham's Holiday Inn and promoted by Pat Cowdell.

Its a big blow for Lightweight Gethin who's last two fights have also ended in defeat, albeit at a much higher level (an English title challenge to Scott Lawton last December and a British title eliminator to John Watson in March). The defeat will certainly knock Gethin who was just underneath the British title contention set down the pecking order. Gethin's record now stands at 15-3-1.

Gethin's trainer Errol Johnson was furious at the decision, claiming that referee Shaun Messer scored the fight all wrong and that he'd counted a slip as a knockdown. Journalists at ringside seemed to agree with Johnson that although Gethin didn't box particurlarly well he still won the fight. The defeat could prove very costly for Gethin as Johnson had him lined up for a shot at the Commonwealth title.

Birmingham Featherweight Del Rogers also beat Telford's Shaun Walton on points over six, whilst Callum Archer also from Birmingham outpointed Stourbridge's Kevin McCauley over eight.

Kenney gets British Masters shot in Burton-On-Trent

Wolverhampton's Rob Kenney will get a shot at the vacant British Masters title when he faces Derby's Dale Miles at the Meadowside Leisure Centre, Burton-On-Trent on May 31st. It will be Kenney's debut at Welterweight having fought mostly at Light-Middleweight or Middleweight.

Kenney returned to action last month at Wolverhampton Civic Hall where he drew with JJ Bird. He hadn't boxed before then since winning the vacant Midlands Area title at Middleweight against Max Maxwell last September.

Wednesbury based First Team promote the show.

Wolverhampton favourites back in action

Wolverhampton favourites Dean Harrison and Steve Saville will return to action (each after tasting defeat) at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall on June 12th in what proves to be a bumper 1st Team bill dubbed "The Wanderers Return".

Lightweight Steve "Bomber" Saville will defend his Midland Area Title against banger Gary Reid in what could prove to be a classic small hall brawl. Reid who now resides in Stoke is originally from Wolverhampton and always comes to fight, although he has a losing record, handled differently this fighter could have been a British champ, it promises to be a cracking midland derby. Saville will be eager to put his defeat in the first tie of last month's Prizefighter series behind him and make his first successful defence of his title.

Dean "Deano" Harrison will try to get back on track after his British title defeat to Paul McCloskey in a six rounder against Ai Wyatt.

Also on the bill Wolverhampton's only female boxer will fight for a 'World' title when she faces Romanian Florea Lihal for the GBC World Super-Featherweight title.

Mixed fortunes for Stourbridge two

Mixed fortunes for two Stourbridge boxers yesterday at a dinner show hosted at the Heritage Hotel, Derby with both fighters fighting for vacant titles.

Sam Horton's stock continued to rise as he picked up his first belt, the vacant Super-Middleweight Midlands Area title, by beating Matthew Hainy on points over 10 rounds.

Not so good for Scott Evans though as he was stopped in only the 2nd round by Derby's Dave Ryan for the vacant Welterweight version of the belt Horton had won. Evans stepped up last time he fought beating Chris Long at short notice to claim the British Masters title at Welterweight.

Horton's record now stands at 13-0-0 (2 inside), while Evans slips to 8-1-0 (also 2 wins inside).

Back up and running

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