Fighters ready for battle with the Bulgarians

Fight night looms large with Jason Welborn and Luke Paddock all weighed in and ready for battle with the Bulgarians at Walsall Town Hall.

Both tackle international opposition tonight, with Rowley Regis' Welborn (11st 3lb) at the top of the bill against teenager Stanislav Nenkov.

The former British title challenger and two-weight Midlands champion is battling towards a second shot towards the Lonsdale belt at light middle.

Frankie Gavin put paid to his dreams at welter and now Liam Smith is the target, with the two in the vicinity at the BoxNation show last weekend.

Welborn must first get Nenkov out of the way, who has been in there for the International Masters crown, and will bank ring time over 10 rounds.

He said: "I am ready for another shot at the British. I now know that light middle is a better weight for me. I feel stronger and a lot more powerful.

"I saw Liam Smith in Liverpool last Saturday. He was doing some TV work and I was supporting Martin Gethin in his fight against Derry Mathews.

"I know I can beat him. He's fighting Navid Mansouri in July and I would like the winner. I am not taking Nenkov for granted, though, as he's game.

"I know that he comes to fight. The preparation for this has been the same as my last few. I have worked as hard for this one as I did for the others.

"I need to prove that he shouldn't be in the ring with me. I have got to show people that I am levels above him and a force at light middle."

Bloxwich's Paddock is back in action after picking up his first title, the British Bronze Masters light welterweight belt, in just his sixth bout as a pro.

'Cool Hand' scored his first stoppage, too, over Gloucester's Andy Harris in the last round at the same venue in March and is again set for eight rounds.

Now Paddock (9st 13lb) will now look to smash through Kristian Dochev (9st 11lb 4oz), but his 21-year-old foe is well-schooled through 25 paid bouts.

Paddock, one year his senior, said: "I want to put in a good performance and get the 'W,' but Dochev is experienced and he will be coming to win.

"I have had a good camp and feel sharp. I am just maintaining what I have got now. Dochev is decent, but I think I have got enough to take him."

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

The after-show party is at the Pitch Sports Bar and Grill, on Bridge Street in Walsall. The show is live on BBC WM's DAB Digital Radio Service and online.